How to Grow Benary's Giant Wine
Zinnia elegans
Benary's Giant Wine is a vibrant warm-season annual zinnia favored for its reliable blooms and easy cultivation. Gardeners prize this heirloom variety for its striking color and ability to thrive in full sun across many climates.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Benary's Giant Wine: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Benary's Giant Wine is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date; do not start indoors or transplant seedlings.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, ensuring it is loose enough for roots. As a warm-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F. Press seeds into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch to encourage germination within 7 to 10 days.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow air circulation and prevent disease. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, though established plants tolerate some drought. Apply mulch around the base to retain water and feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer if growth seems sluggish or flowers fade prematurely.
Watch for common zinnia pests like aphids and Japanese beetles, treating infestations by hand-picking or using insecticidal soap. Prevent fungal issues by avoiding overhead watering and ensuring good airflow. Harvest cut flowers when buds are tight but ready to open, typically 75 to 90 days after sowing for peak bloom.
When to Plant Benary's Giant Wine
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January | February – April | — |
| Zone 11 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January | January – March | — |
Companion Plants for Benary's Giant Wine
✓ Good companions
Repels thrips, aphids, and spider mites that commonly attack zinnias
Similar growing requirements and bloom time, creating attractive color combinations
Attract beneficial insects and provide vertical structure without competing for space
Attract beneficial predatory insects and provide complementary bloom colors
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting zinnias
Provide beneficial shade and attract pollinators without direct competition
Attracts hover flies and parasitic wasps that control zinnia pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits zinnia growth and causes wilting
Produces allelopathic oils that inhibit seed germination and plant growth
Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt zinnia growth and development
