Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant Lilac’

Zinnia elegans

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Easy to grow
  • Heat-loving
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

One of the largest-flowered varieties of zinnias available, ‘Benary’s Giant Lilac’ features beautiful broad blooms and a high percentage of double flowers. Blooms start out a vivid lilac and with time the outer petals fade to a cool pale lavender, giving it a haunting effect. Plants reach 3 to 4 ft tall and have long, strong stems and great disease resistance.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Zinnias can also be direct-seeded once the weather has warmed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Use the “wiggle test”: Grab the stem about 8 in down from the flower and gently shake it. If the stem is droopy or bends, don’t cut yet. If the stem is stiff and remains erect, it is ready to harvest. Do not put in the cooler. Zinnias are notorious for making their water murky. To combat this, add a few drops of bleach to the water. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Details

Description

One of the largest-flowered varieties of zinnias available, ‘Benary’s Giant Lilac’ features beautiful broad blooms and a high percentage of double flowers. Blooms start out a vivid lilac and with time the outer petals fade to a cool pale lavender, giving it a haunting effect. Plants reach 3 to 4 ft tall and have long, strong stems and great disease resistance.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Zinnias can also be direct-seeded once the weather has warmed.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Use the “wiggle test”: Grab the stem about 8 in down from the flower and gently shake it. If the stem is droopy or bends, don’t cut yet. If the stem is stiff and remains erect, it is ready to harvest. Do not put in the cooler. Zinnias are notorious for making their water murky. To combat this, add a few drops of bleach to the water. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.