The Big-Bloomed Zinnia Type That Looks Stunning In Flower Arrangements

Zinnias are one of the most underrated flowers of the garden. They are often overshadowed by more popular peonies or roses. It's really a shame, too, because they come in an amazing variety of colors and sizes and are very low maintenance. They are the perfect choice for beginners, as well as more advanced gardeners wanting reliable blooms for their flower gardens. But when it comes to choosing a zinnia type that was practically made for a cut flower garden, one stands tall above the rest — the Benary's Giant series of zinnias. Often sold in a mix of different colored cultivars, Benary's Giant zinnias have something for every gardener's taste.

It couldn't be easier to grow and care for zinnias. These flowering annuals require only some well-draining soil, direct sunlight for the majority of the day, and regular watering to thrive. They are vulnerable to powdery mildew and a few other diseases caused by poor airflow and improper watering techniques. The best way to easily avoid this is to thin out your plants when they are young to allow air to circulate. And the best method for watering zinnias is to aim for the base of the plant using drip irrigation or watering near the soil line. These techniques apply to the Benary's Giant series, as well. 

These zinnia cultivars truly live up to their names and are considered a giant type of zinnia because they can grow to be 3- to 4-feet tall with thick, sturdy stems. The blooms of this impressive zinnia series can grow up to 6 inches across. Benary's Giant flowers are made up of extremely dense petal growth and come in an amazing variety of colors, making them the perfect type of zinnia for your cut flower arrangements.

Zinnias benefit from what is known as pinching. To ensure you get tons of beautiful stems and blossoms, you need to trim them as soon as they reach 8 to 12 inches tall. Find a set of leaves around 3 inches from the top of the plant and snip just above them. You will know your zinnias are ready to harvest by using the foolproof wiggle test— they are ready if you shake the flower's stem and it remains stiff, not floppy. As with all varieties of zinnias, you need to cut Benary's Giants as soon as they start blooming or the plant will slow down production. Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors whenever you are trimming your zinnias. Benary's Giants are known as a "cut and come again" type flower. They will keep producing beautiful blooms all summer long even after generous harvesting. You should also be deadheading any flowers you've left on the plant to promote continuous blooming.

Once you've cut your chosen stems, you'll need to get them in a vase. Remove any extra leaves from your zinnia stems, leaving just a few at the top. Zinnias do not like the cold, so make sure they are in some lukewarm water. These flowers also benefit from a couple of drops of bleach in their water. If you find your Benary's Giant flowers don't last in your vase for very long, try using bottled spring water. Given proper conditions, your zinnias should last in your flower arrangements for about a week.