Planting Zones:
Zones Vary
Exposure:
Full Sun - Winter
1/2 Sun 1/2 Shade - Summer
Water:
Regular
Description:
Low-growing, bushy to spreading plants with thick,
broad leaves that are slightly sticky to the touch.
Flowers vary from funnel-shaped single blooms to
densely double, heavily ruffled ones (like
carnations). The many colors available include pure
white, cream, yellow, and the whole range of reds
and blues: from soft pink to deepest red, light blue
to deepest purple. Bicolors and picotees are also
available, as are types that have contrasting veins
on the petals and kinds with fluted or fringed
edges. In most climate zones, plants bloom
throughout summer until frost. In Zones 12 and 13,
summer heat kills them; in these areas, grow them
for winter and spring color.
Plants thrive in good garden soil. Single-flowered
kinds are not particular about soil quality and will
tolerate alkalinity, but they must have good
drainage. Space 8–18 in. apart, depending on plant
size. After plants are established, pinch back
halfway to encourage compact growth. Feed most kinds
monthly with a complete liquid fertilizer; hungry
trailing petunias– referred to by growers as the
teenage boys of the plant world– do best when given
controlled-release fertilizer at planting time in
addition to weekly applications of liquid
fertilizer. Near the end of the main bloom period,
cut back rangy plants by half to force new growth.
In humid weather, botrytis disease can damage
blossoms and foliage of most petunias; Multifloras
are somewhat resistant to this disease. Smog damage
(spotting on seedling leaves) and geranium (tobacco)
budworm (flowers look tattered or fail to open) may
cause problems in some areas.
The following petunia categories are still relevant,
but as new hybrids and forms are being developed,
some growers are starting to reclassify
petunias–especially cutting-grown varieties–by
flower size alone, designating them as having large,
medium-, or minisize flowers (instead of Hybrid
Grandiflora,Hybrid Multiflora, and Hybrid Milliflora).
For the petunia relative called million bells, see
Calibrachoa.
Hybrid Grandiflora. These hybrid plants bear the
largest flowers of all petunia classes but bloom the
least profusely. Sturdy plants grow 15–27 in. high
and 2– 3 ft. across. Flowers are usually single, to
4 1/2 in. across, with ruffled or fringed edges;
colors include pink, rose, salmon, red, scarlet,
blue, white, pale yellow, and striped combinations.
Fluffy Ruffles strain has the largest blossoms,
growing to 6 in. across. Cascade, Countdown, and
Supercascade series plants have a trailing habit
that makes them good selections for hanging baskets.
Magic and Supermagic are compact, heavy-blooming
plants bearing large (4–5-in.) single flowers in
white, pink, red, or blue. Other popular strains are
weather-tolerant Storm, compact and ruffled Ultra,
cascading Cloud, and Hula Hoop and Frost (both with
white-rimmed blossoms). –Prism Sunshine– is a
much-improved yellow. Double Hybrid Grandifloras
have heavily ruffled flowers that come in all
petunia colors except yellow.
Atwater FFA Plant Sale Information:
- $1 / four inch container
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