Popular plants: Petunias

These jewels of baskets and bedding just got bigger and flashier

Petunia hybrida grandiflora 'Superbissima Mixed'

 

Petunias: the basics

There are about 40 species of petunia, which are perennials but grown as annuals, and originate from rather stony, poor ground in South America. Grandiflora petunias have blooms as large as 10cm (4in) across, while Multiflora types are smaller and bushier. They are half hardy.

 

Habit

They can be either spreading or erect and are popular garden plants due to their open, colourful blooms, available in single, double, saucer- or trumpet-shaped forms.

 

Blooming big frilly blooms

Where to plant them

Petunias are good for poor soil and coastal gardens. Grandifloras do well in pots and hanging baskets, particularly as the rain can damage them; Multifloras do better in wet weather and are good for summer bedding or in a mixed border, where they can create dramatic carpet effects. Surfinia petunias are free-flowering Grandiflora types, which tolerate the wet well and, with their trailing habit, are ideal for hanging baskets.

 

Conditions needed

Plant them in a light, well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from the wind.

 

Best features

Their bright, diverse colours encompass vibrant pinks, red, white, violet, blue and yellow. Some blooms have additional colourful margins, central white 'throats' and prominent 'veins'. They have a long flowering period, which extends from late spring into late autumn.

 

Care tips

Water well as the plant puts on growth and feed every two weeks with a high-potassium fertiliser.

 

New giant petunia!

'If you want a change from Surfinias, go for Petunia hybrida grandiflora 'Superbissima Mixed',' says Gardens Monthly contributor Jean Stowe. 'I was impressed with these at the Thompson & Morgan open day. Huge, frilly flowers with veins and dark eyes have been developed from petunias bred more than 100 years ago,' adds Jean. The price for a packet of 50 seeds is £2.49.