Heirloom

Bonanza™ Harmony

Tagetes patula

Photo: Photo by David J. Stang · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Harvest

50d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 inches

📏

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 Bonanza™ Harmony in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Bonanza™ Harmony · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing9-12 inches

SoilWell-drained loam; tolerates various soil types but benefits from compost amendment

WaterRegular; consistent moisture preferred, but drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorRed and orange

Size1 1/2-2 1/2"

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	—

Complete Growing Guide

1 1/2-2 1/2" refined crested blooms. Highly uniform plants are more compact than the Durango series. An easy-to-grow addition to garden beds, containers, and small spaces. Vibrant red and orange blooms. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Bonanza™ Harmony is 50 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Grows Well in Containers, Edible Flowers.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Bonanza™ Harmony reaches harvest at 50 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Edibility: Flowers are used to make refreshing drinks and the leaves are used for flavoring.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Bonanza® Harmony zinnias last 7–10 days in a cool vase with regular water changes and flower food. For extended display without water, stand cut stems in a tall vase and change water every 2–3 days, trimming 1/4 inch from the base.

To dry blooms for long-term arrangements, harvest at peak color and hang upside-down in small bundles (3–4 stems) in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space. Air-dry for 2–3 weeks until petals feel papery. Dried Bonanza® Harmony flowers retain vibrant color for 6–12 months in a dry location.

Alternatively, use silica gel drying for faster results (5–7 days) and superior petal shape retention, ideal for pressed flower crafts. Press fresh blooms between absorbent paper in a heavy book for 3–4 weeks for a vintage, two-dimensional effect suitable for scrapbooking or herbarium display.

Store dried flowers in airtight containers with desiccant packs away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

History & Origin

Bonanza™ Harmony 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, Guatamala

Advantages

+Refined crested blooms offer elegant appearance compared to standard marigold varieties.
+Highly uniform plants ensure consistent garden design and predictable landscape results.
+Compact growth habit makes them ideal for small spaces and containers.
+Quick 50-day maturity allows gardeners to enjoy blooms in mid-summer.
+Vibrant red and orange colors provide bold visual impact in beds.

Considerations

-Refined petals may be more susceptible to rain damage and spotting.
-Compact size produces fewer blooms per plant than standard marigold varieties.
-Crested flowers require deadheading to maintain appearance and encourage reblooming.

Companion Plants

Bonanza Harmony pulls real pest-suppression work through its roots: Tagetes patula produces alpha-terthienyl, a compound that suppresses soil-dwelling nematodes, so plant it close to the crop you're protecting — 9 to 12 inches out, not across the bed. Sweet alyssum and borage both attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps that keep aphid pressure down on neighboring plants. Fennel belongs nowhere near it; the allelopathic compounds fennel releases through its roots stunt most annuals, and Tagetes is no exception. Black walnut is the harder wall — juglone saturates the soil inside the drip line and marigolds planted there simply collapse.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Zinnia

Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support

Borage

Repels hornworms and attracts pollinators

Catnip

Repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit nearby plant growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Bonanza™ Harmony

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

Fine webbing on leaf undersides, leaves look stippled or bronzed, especially in hot dry spells

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temps stay above 85°F and humidity drops
Dusty conditions that stress the plant and attract mites

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mite populations down
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning — full coverage on leaf undersides is what matters
3.Keep the area around plants weeded and mulched to reduce dust and moderate soil temperature

Silvery streaking or flecking on petals and upper leaves, sometimes with tiny dark specks (frass) visible

Likely Causes

Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) — they rasp the surface tissue and feed on cell contents
Nearby weedy or grassy areas acting as thrips reservoirs

What to Do

1.Remove and bag heavily infested flowers — don't compost them
2.Apply spinosad-based spray (follow label timing, typically every 7 days for 2-3 applications) to break the life cycle
3.Set out blue sticky traps at plant height to monitor pressure and catch adults

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, starting on older growth, worse in late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum or related species) — thrives when days are warm and nights cool, often late July through September
Crowded spacing that restricts airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 9-12 inches apart at transplant time — don't skip this step just because they look small
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution or a baking soda mix (1 tbsp per gallon of water with a drop of dish soap) at first sign
3.Trim out the worst-affected stems and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Bonanza® Harmony take to flower from seed?▼

Bonanza® Harmony reaches flowering maturity in approximately 50 days from transplant. Starting seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last spring frost typically yields flowers by early to mid-summer. Direct sowing after soil warms to 60°F adds 2–3 weeks to flowering time. The speed of flowering makes this variety ideal for succession planting every 3–4 weeks to ensure continuous blooms through fall.

Can you grow Bonanza® Harmony in containers?▼

Yes—Bonanza® Harmony is exceptionally container-friendly. Use a 10–12 inch pot with quality potting mix and ensure drainage holes. Space 1 plant per 10-inch pot or 2–3 plants per 18-inch container. Container plants need consistent watering (daily during peak heat) and benefit from biweekly fertilizer applications since frequent watering leaches nutrients. Deadhead regularly for prolific blooming all season.

Is Bonanza® Harmony good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Its easy-to-grow nature, reliable performance, and forgiving temperament make it ideal for novice gardeners. It tolerates partial shade, adapts to various soil types, and rarely requires staking. The main requirement is consistent deadheading and attention to watering during heat waves. Even occasional neglect doesn't kill plants; they simply pause blooming until conditions improve.

What's the difference between Bonanza® Harmony and Durango series zinnias?▼

Bonanza® Harmony is notably more compact and uniform than Durango, making it superior for containers and small spaces. Durango varieties grow taller (18–24 inches) and produce slightly larger blooms on longer stems—better for cutting gardens and back borders. Bonanza® flowers earlier (50 days vs 60+) and blooms more prolifically with consistent deadheading, while Durango emphasizes stem length for cut flowers. Choose Bonanza® for borders and pots; Durango for cutting and tall displays.

How often should you deadhead Bonanza® Harmony zinnias?▼

Deadhead every 2–3 days during peak season for maximum bloom production. Remove spent flowers just above a leaf node to encourage branching from that point. Zinnias have a strong genetic drive to set seed; the moment flowers fade, the plant signals that reproduction is 'complete' and slows flowering. Aggressive, consistent deadheading tricks the plant into continuous blooming through fall frost—often producing 50+ flowers per plant per season.

Are Bonanza® Harmony zinnias good for cut flowers?▼

Yes. The refined crested double blooms and sturdy 6–8 inch stems make them excellent for fresh arrangements, lasting 7–10 days in a vase. Cut in early morning for maximum freshness and recut stems under water. The compact growth habit limits stem length compared to tall varieties, but the exhibition-quality flowers and prolific production make them superior for small bouquets and hand-tied arrangements. They also dry exceptionally well for long-term display.