When you want loads of colorful blooms all summer long, it’s tough to beat these easy-care annuals.
One of the most popular annuals, petunias add mountains of color to garden beds and containers.
Most petunias available nowadays are hybrids, but new varieties come out every year in novel designs.
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The blossom size selection is quite diverse as well.
Plant petunias in closely spaced groups or drifts for the best visual effect.
Trailing petunias look best whenspilling over wallsor containers and hanging baskets.
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Place the plant in the hole and backfill with a mixture of soil and compost.
Gently tamp down the soil around the base and water the plants immediately.
The spacing depends on the variety and location.
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Trailing petunias should be spaced at least 18 inches apart.
The compact milliflora petunias can be planted much denser, about 4 to 6 inches apart.
Petunia Care Tips
Light
It is essential toplant petunias in full sun.
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In shady locations, the soil stays wet longer after a rainfall, increasing the likelihood of rot.
Soil and Water
Petunias are unfussy about soil as long as they are plantedin well-drained soils.
Poor drainage, however, can lead to rot and fungal issues.
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Container plants need daily watering.
In hot summer weather, petunias inhanging basketsmight need to be watered twice daily.
Temperature and Humidity
Petunias are heat-loving plants.
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Meanwhile, most new types are self-cleaning, so deadheading is unnecessary.
Potting and Repotting
Plantpetunias in potsfilled with well-draining potting mix and large drainage holes.
Unglazed ceramic and terra-cotta pots are ideal because they let excess moisture evaporate.
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They will need more regular watering than petunias growing in the ground.
Repotting is usually not necessary as petunias conclude their life cycle with the first fall frosts.
Keep an eye out for whiteflies and aphids, as they are the most likely to show up.
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How to Propagate Petunias
Most petunias are hybrids that do not come true from seed.
Some nurseries offer petunia seeds though the selection is much more limited than when buying plants.
Here’s how:
After 2 to 3 weeks, your cutting should begin to show new growth.
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Types of Petunia
Petunias have always been known for their vast selection of colors and patterns.
The options seem almost endless.
It has a trailing habit.
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It has a trailing habit, making it good for hanging baskets.
‘Dreams Fuchsia’ Petunia
Petunia’Dreams Fuchsia' is a large-flowering petunia bearing many bold fuchsia-pink flowersall summer.
It grows 15 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
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It grows 12 inches tall and 40 inches wide.
It grows 12 inches tall and 40 inches wide.
It grows 12 inches tall and 40 inches wide.
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It grows 12 inches tall and 40 inches wide.
It grows 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide.
It grows 15 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
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This award-winning variety grows 18 inches tall and wide.
This award-winning variety grows 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide.
It grows to 1 foot tall and wide.
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‘Picnic White’ Petunia
Petunia’Picnic White' is a mini petunia with an abundance of smallwhite flowers.
It grows 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide.
‘Pirouette Rose’ Petunia
Petunia’Pirouette Rose' bears frilly, double, pink-and-white flowers on 1-foot plants.
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It’s not as heat-tolerant as many other petunia varieties.
It grows 10 inches tall and 2 feet wide.
‘Supertunia Bordeaux’ Petunia
‘Supertunia Bordeaux’Petuniashows off soft pink flowers with rich purple-red veins.
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‘Supertunia Citrus’ Petunia
‘Supertunia Citrus’Petuniais a vigorous selection with soft yellow flowers veined in rich yellow.
It’s good for hanging baskets and can trail to 1 foot.
It grows 10 inches tall and 4 feet wide.
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‘Supertunia Mini Blue’ Petunia
‘Supertunia Mini Blue’Petuniagraces gardens with small, dark blue-purple blooms.
It grows 8 inches tall and can spread to 6 feet.
The vigorous selection grows 10 inches tall and 4 feet wide.
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It grows 14 inches tall and wide.
‘Wild’ Petunia
Petunia integrifoliais native to areas of Mexico and bears magenta flowers all summer long.
It scrambles to 2 feet and often self-seeds.
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It’s also a great edging plant because of its tidy, compact habit.
It halts bloom in summer in warmer areas.
Heliotrope
Even without its fabulous scent,heliotrope would be widely grownin the garden.
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Heliotrope thrives in a spot with full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
It is also a great container plant.
Salvia, Sage
There are few gardens that don’t haveat least one salviagrowing in them.
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Most salvias don’t like cool weather, so plant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Tiny Corner Garden Plan
Banish front-yard blahs by installing this easy corner-fence garden of fast-growing flowers.
Modern varieties require very little maintenance and aren’t too picky about growing conditions.
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In zones 10 and 11, petunias can overwinter outdoors and come back the next year.
Petunias aren’t dangerous to animals, so they’re safe to plant in gardens where pets play.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
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Credit: Marty Baldwin
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Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Justin Hancock
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Credit: Justin Hancock
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