Heirloom

Benary's Giant Wine

Zinnia elegans

Wikimedia Commons via Zinnia elegans

Benary's Giant Wine is a heirloom flower variety producing deep wine-red blooms on vigorous plants. Reaching maturity in 75-90 days, this ornamental excels in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. The large, vibrant flowers are the defining feature, making it a striking addition to cut-flower gardens and borders. Easy to grow and reliable, it's prized by gardeners for its dramatic coloring and generous bloom production.

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 Wine in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Wine · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil, neutral to slightly alkaline

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; moderate drought tolerance once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorWine red

Size4-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 3 weeks starting April 1 through mid-June in zone 7; that window gets you continuous bloom from midsummer into October. Don't push past late June — seeds sown when daytime highs are consistently above 90°F germinate poorly and young plants tend to stall rather than establish. If you want the earliest possible cut flowers, start indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date (early February here), then transplant after April 1. Zinnias direct-sow so reliably that indoor starts are mostly worth the trouble for that first flush and not much else.

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 Wine 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 Wine 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

Fresh zinnias should be stored upright in a vase with room-temperature water immediately after cutting early morning or late evening. For short-term storage (3-5 days), keep in a cool room away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. For longer vase life, refrigerate at 34-36°F overnight, then return to room temperature. To preserve: air-dry by hanging in small bunches in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks for dried arrangements; press flowers between paper under weight for 1-2 weeks for craft projects; or freeze blooms in water in ice cube trays for decorative use.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Wine 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

+Produces abundant long, sturdy stems ideal for professional cut flower arrangements
+Massive 4-6" fully double blooms resemble dahlias for dramatic visual impact
+Excellent vase life means cut flowers last considerably longer than typical zinnias
+Vigorous plants naturally resist powdery mildew, reducing fungicide applications needed
+Heat and rain tolerant variety performs reliably even in difficult summer conditions

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to maturity, limiting crops in shorter growing seasons
-Fully double flowers may trap moisture, increasing botrytis risk in humid climates
-Deadheading needed regularly to maintain continuous blooms throughout the season

Companion Plants

Marigolds are the most practical neighbor here — their root secretions suppress soil nematodes, and they fill visual gaps between zinnia plants without fighting for water. Cosmos and Cleome share the same full-sun, warm-season needs and won't crowd Benary's Giant Wine at 12–18 inch spacing. Sweet alyssum at the border draws parasitic wasps that cut aphid pressure noticeably. In our zone 7 Georgia summers, that combination keeps the bed productive from July into October. Give black walnut a wide berth — juglone moves through soil far enough to stunt zinnias with no obvious cause until you trace it back to the tree.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

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

Basil

Repels thrips, aphids, and spider mites that commonly attack zinnias

Cosmos

Attract beneficial predatory insects and provide complementary bloom colors

Cleome

Attract beneficial insects and provide vertical structure without competing for space

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts hover flies and parasitic wasps that control zinnia pests

Celosia

Similar growing requirements and bloom time, creating attractive color combinations

Sunflowers

Provide beneficial shade and attract pollinators without direct competition

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits zinnia growth and causes wilting

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt zinnia growth and development

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic oils that inhibit seed germination and plant growth

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Wine

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

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up after plants have been in the ground 6+ weeks

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — fungal spores spread by wind, thrives in warm days with cool nights and poor airflow
Overcrowded planting below the 12-inch minimum spacing

What to Do

1.Pull any badly affected leaves off and bin them — don't compost
2.Spray foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) or a neem oil product early in the morning so leaves dry before nightfall
3.Next planting, stick to 15–18 inch spacing and avoid overhead watering late in the day

Stem collapses at soil level on seedlings within the first 2 weeks after germination or transplant

Likely Causes

Damping off — usually Pythium or Rhizoctonia solani fungi, both triggered by soggy, poorly drained growing medium
Overwatering seedling trays or transplanting into waterlogged beds

What to Do

1.There's no saving a collapsed seedling — pull it and improve drainage before replanting
2.Start seeds in a sterile, well-draining germination mix and water from the bottom of the tray rather than overhead
3.Direct sow outdoors only after soil temps are reliably above 60°F, which in zone 7 Georgia is typically mid-April

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Benary's Giant Wine zinnias last in a vase?▼

Benary's Giant Wine zinnias have excellent vase life, typically lasting 7-10 days with proper care. Change water every 2-3 days, trim stems at an angle, and remove lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth. Keeping them in a cool location away from ripening fruit extends longevity further.

Is Benary's Giant Wine a good zinnia variety for beginners?▼

Yes, this is an excellent beginner variety. It's rated as easy difficulty, vigorous, and shows low susceptibility to powdery mildew. The plants hold up well in summer heat and rain, and the cut-and-come-again nature ensures continuous blooms with minimal maintenance.

Can you grow Benary's Giant Wine zinnias in containers?▼

Yes, they can be grown in large containers (12-14 inches minimum) with well-draining potting mix. Ensure containers have drainage holes and place in full sun. Container plants may need more frequent watering than in-ground plantings, especially in hot weather.

When should I plant Benary's Giant Wine zinnia seeds?▼

Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches 70°F, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. In warm climates, you can succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous blooms throughout the growing season.

What color are Benary's Giant Wine zinnias?▼

Benary's Giant Wine zinnias are deep wine-colored or burgundy blooms. The fully double, dahlia-like flowers showcase rich burgundy-wine tones that make them excellent for arrangements and garden displays seeking sophisticated color.

How many stems can one Benary's Giant Wine plant produce?▼

These are high-yield cut flowers. The cut-and-come-again nature means plants produce multiple cuts over the season. Vigorous plants on long, sturdy stems yield generous harvests, especially when you deadhead regularly and maintain healthy growing conditions.