Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Coral' (Benary's Giant Series)

RHS Plant Profile

zinnia 'Benary's Giant Coral'

RHS / Joanna Kossak

Annual Biennial

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An annual growing to around 1m tall with lance-shaped leaves. Double, coral-red flowers up to 15cm in diameter are borne on sturdy stems from summer into autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Zinnia can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs, with branching stems bearing opposite leaves and solitary terminal flower-heads in summer
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed; resents root disturbance so either sow in situ in late spring after the danger of frost has passed or take care when transplanting from seed sown under cover with heat in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Cut flowers
Garden edging
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering. Pinch back stems of young plants to encourage branching unless long-stemmed flowers are required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot and root rot, grey moulds, fungal leaf spot and powdery mildews