Heirloom

Benary's Giant Scarlet

Zinnia elegans

Photo: Simon Koopmann · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)

Benary's Giant Scarlet is a stunning heirloom zinnia cultivar prized for its large, vibrant scarlet-red double flowers that bloom prolifically in 75-90 days. This easy-to-grow variety reaches 24-30 inches tall and produces abundant cut flowers throughout the season. Its bold, fully-double petals and exceptional color saturation make it a standout in garden displays and floral arrangements. An excellent choice for cutting gardens and ornamental beds.

Harvest

75-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Benary's Giant Scarlet in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Scarlet · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with moderate organic matter

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; avoid waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorScarlet red

Size4-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow after soil reaches 70°F. For a steady cut-flower supply, sow a second round 3–4 weeks after your first direct sowing — in zone 7, an April sowing followed by one in early May covers most of the season. Zinnias don't bolt, but once daytime highs sit consistently above 95°F, flower size drops and stem length shortens noticeably, so there's not much to gain from pushing new sowings past mid-June.

Complete Growing Guide

Recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. High yields of long, sturdy stems with 4-6" fully double, dahlia-like blooms. Excellent vase life. Vigorous plants hold up well in summer heat and rain. Low susceptibility to powdery mildew. Cut-and-come-again flower, yielding multiple cuts over the season. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Benary's Giant Scarlet is 75 - 90 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Benary's Giant Scarlet reaches harvest at 75 - 90 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 4-6" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

Store fresh-cut stems in a cool location at 34-40°F with 80-90% humidity for optimal vase life (10-14 days). Keep stems in clean water with floral preservative, changing water every 2-3 days and re-cutting stems at an angle. For preservation, air-dry fully double blooms by hanging them upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual blooms between parchment paper under heavy weight for 4-6 weeks to preserve for crafts or framing. Freeze stems in water in small containers for extended storage up to 3 months.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Scarlet is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico

Advantages

+Professional cut flower variety recommended by specialty growers association
+Produces abundant long sturdy stems perfect for floral arrangements
+Large 4-6 inch fully double blooms resemble dahlias
+Excellent vase life ensures arrangements stay fresh longer
+Heat and rain tolerant plants perform reliably in summer

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to maturity limiting succession planting options
-Bright scarlet color may clash with some garden color schemes
-Vigorous growth demands regular deadheading for continued productivity

Companion Plants

Marigolds are the most practical neighbor here — they deter aphids and whiteflies through scent, and both plants want full sun and the same watering schedule, so there's no resource tug-of-war. Nasturtiums pull double duty as a trap crop, drawing aphids off your zinnias while also attracting predatory insects. Sweet Alyssum tucked at the border brings in parasitic wasps, which pays off once aphid pressure builds. Skip Black Walnut anywhere nearby — juglone leaches from the roots across a wide radius and will stunt Benary's Giant before you figure out what's wrong.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Basil

Deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips with its aromatic oils

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting zinnias

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and pollinators while providing similar growing conditions

Salvia

Repels harmful insects and attracts pollinators with complementary bloom times

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects like lacewings and hover flies

Sunflowers

Provide wind protection and attract pollinators without competing for nutrients

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other garden pests naturally

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill zinnias

Impatiens

Compete for similar nutrients and water, may harbor fungal diseases

Large Hosta

Creates excessive shade that reduces zinnia flowering and promotes fungal issues

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spot

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Scarlet

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up mid-summer when nights cool down slightly

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal disease that spreads by airspores and thrives when humidity is high but leaves stay dry
Crowded spacing under 18 inches that cuts off airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Pull the worst-affected leaves off and bin them — don't compost them
2.Spray foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days as a stopgap
3.Next season, hold to the full 18–24 inch spacing and avoid late-evening overhead watering

Stunted new growth with clusters of small soft-bodied insects on stem tips and undersides of buds

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — they build up fast in hot, dry spells or when nearby ant colonies are farming them
Absence of beneficial insects like lacewings or parasitic wasps due to heavy pesticide use nearby

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm stream of water from the hose — do it in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall
2.If populations don't drop within a week, apply insecticidal soap directly to the colonies; coat the undersides of leaves
3.Plant Sweet Alyssum within 2–3 feet to draw in parasitic wasps that will work the colony down over time

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Benary's Giant Scarlet last in a vase?▼

Benary's Giant Scarlet has excellent vase life, typically lasting 10-14 days when stored in cool water (34-40°F) with floral preservative. Change the water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at an angle to maximize longevity. The fully double blooms are particularly long-lasting compared to single-petal varieties.

Is Benary's Giant Scarlet good for beginners?▼

Yes, this variety is rated as easy to grow and highly recommended for beginners. It's vigorous, holds up well in summer heat and rain, and has low susceptibility to powdery mildew. The cut-and-come-again nature means you'll get multiple harvests from each plant throughout the season.

Can you grow Benary's Giant Scarlet in containers?▼

While primarily grown as cut flowers, Benary's Giant Scarlet can be grown in large containers (at least 12-18 inches deep) with well-draining soil. Ensure full sun exposure (6+ hours daily) and consistent watering. Container growth may produce slightly shorter stems but will still yield quality blooms for cutting.

When should I plant Benary's Giant Scarlet?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow after the last frost has passed. This variety takes 75-90 days from planting to harvest, so timing depends on your climate. For continuous blooms, succession plant every 2-3 weeks.

What makes Benary's Giant Scarlet different from other cut flower varieties?▼

This heirloom variety is distinguished by its 4-6 inch fully double, dahlia-like blooms on long, sturdy stems. It yields high quantities of flowers, has exceptional vase life, and is recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. Its vigorous growth and disease resistance make it superior for commercial and home cut flower production.

How often can I cut blooms from one plant?▼

Benary's Giant Scarlet is a true cut-and-come-again variety, producing multiple cuts throughout the season when properly maintained. Regular harvesting encourages more blooms to form. With succession planting and proper care, you can harvest continuously from late summer through fall.