Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Not Your Old Fashioned Petunia

To many of us the petunia is a mainstay annual in our summer baskets and garden beds.  In the past, many of us would give a second thought because of the continual maintenance (deadheading) to keep them producing and beautiful.

Petunia Surprise Black Jack
There are several black petunias now but many growers think their popularity will be short lived.

Well, in recent years most of the newly introduced petunias do not require deadheading in order to keep blooming.

Petunia Blue Vein Merlot
A smaller flower with a mounding habit, some pinching recommended to maintain fullness

Petunia Good And Plenty Purple

Petunia Suncatcher
Very floriferous, trailing but compact

Petunia White Russian
Proven Winners, spreads to 24"

Petunia Hell's Bells
From Hort Couture the first true orange petunia

Petunia Limbo
Dwarf petunia with large flowers, will not spread out

These are just some of the new introductions that you might want to look for this year and below are two previous introductions that have excelled in my hot summer garden.

Petunia Bubblegum

Petunia Bordeaux

All petunias benefit from regular fertilizing and trimming in July to continue strong until frost.



16 comments:

  1. So many brilliant colours! I just adore 'White Russian' and 'Hell's Bells' would be brilliant out in my courtyard. I hope some of these make their way to my corner of the world this year.

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  2. Bernie, I think I read that a couple of these new introductions were originally from Austrailia.

    Eileen

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  3. We were so amazed at out Vista Bubblegums this past season that we have ordered the three larger vistas in three colors for the coming season. The problem will be finding space for them as they do so very well... Larry

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  4. Such wonderful varieties are showing up with such wonderful colors. I do not think the black ones will last either. I have a hard them getting them to fit in with other flowers for some reason. I am one of those gardeners that love petunias in the garden even when I have to deadhead them.

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  5. Larry,

    I will have to look up those larger vistas. I can't imagine any better than Bubblegum!

    Eileen

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  6. Lona,

    I like petunias also and don't mind cutting them back to get more blooms.

    Eileen

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  7. Beautiful and springy! We too liked the Vista Bubblegum last year. I hope you had a nice Valentine's Day.
    Beth

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  8. I like petunias, but am one of those who don't like the maintenance required to keep them looking good. Even the ones you don't have to deadhead, still look ugly until I cut them all off. . . hate the sticky fingers, too.

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  9. I'm not a big fan of petunias, but then again, if I had more sun I'd probably give some of the newer varieties a try. I do like the colors, and I love the black ones.

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  10. Thanks Beth,

    According to Larry there are other vistas also so I will look into this.

    Eileen

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  11. Hi Zoey,

    I just cut them back around July with the clippers, feed them and avoid the sticky fingers.

    Eileen

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  12. Hi GG,

    I know there are many people who do not like petunias but for some hot locations they are great performers.

    Eileen

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  13. Wow what a lot of colors! I think the trick with petunias is to mix them in with other plants. They can trail around, get tall, lean-- they seem to keep flowering no matter what and fill in around perennials.

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  14. Eileen girl I still love petunias and these new types are beautiful !
    Some gardeners turn their noses up to them .. but I have a weak spot for them .. the blue/purple veined ones are so gorgeous .. and of course the black mixed with orange ? perfect Halloween combo ! LOL
    Joy

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  15. Beautiful petunia images, Eileen.

    Thanks so much for visiting the Back Porch, during J's hospitalization. We both appreciate it.

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  16. Those are some beauties. Love all the many colors.

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