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Petunias are one of the most popular annual flowers due to their bright colors, variety of forms, and long blooming period. They are easy to grow and can be used in garden beds, hanging baskets, and containers. We have several planters full of petunias right now!
Many petunias that gardeners are growing these days are hybrid varieties with distinct features like heat tolerance, mounding, and low-growing characteristics. In the below list of petunias, we will explore some of the most popular varieties that you can easily grow yourself.
1. Wave
Wave petunias are known for their spreading habit and vibrant blooms. They come in a wide range of colors, including pink, purple, red, blue, and white. These petunias are perfect for ground covers and hanging baskets, providing a carpet of color throughout the season.
2. Supertunia Vista
Supertunia Vista petunias are vigorous growers with large, showy flowers. They are available in stunning colors like Bubblegum Pink, Silverberry, and Fuchsia. These petunias are ideal for containers and garden beds, offering continuous blooms and thriving in full sun.
3. Grandiflora
Grandiflora petunias produce large, ruffled flowers that are perfect for garden beds and containers. They come in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, white, blue, and bicolors. The large flowers can be affected by heavy rain, so they may require some maintenance to look their best.
4. Multiflora
Multiflora petunias have smaller but more weather-resistant flowers compared to grandiflora varieties. They are excellent for mass plantings and mixed containers due to their profuse blooming. Multiflora petunias come in various colors, including pink, red, white, blue, and mixed colors.
5. Milliflora
Milliflora petunias are compact with small, abundant flowers. They are ideal for borders and small containers, providing a neat and tidy appearance. These petunias are available in shades of red, white, purple, and blue, and their small size makes them perfect for detailed garden designs.
6. Tidal Wave
Tidal Wave petunias are extremely vigorous and can grow into a dense hedge of color. They are perfect for creating dramatic displays in large containers and garden beds. Tidal Wave petunias come in colors like hot pink, purple, silver, and cherry.
7. Easy Wave
Easy Wave petunias have a more mounded growth habit compared to Wave petunias. They are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and small garden spaces. These petunias are available in colors such as pink, red, purple, blue, and white.
8. Crazytunia
Crazytunia petunias are known for their unique and bold color patterns. They offer a striking addition to any garden with their unusual and vibrant hues. Crazytunia varieties can include multicolored flowers with combinations of red, yellow, orange, and purple.
9. Shock Wave
Shock Wave petunias produce small but numerous flowers, creating a dense mat of color. They are perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes. Shock Wave petunias come in a variety of colors, including rose, pink, purple, coral, raspberry, and white.
10. Night Sky
Night Sky petunias have a unique starry pattern of white spots on a deep purple background. They add a celestial touch to garden beds and containers. This variety is a showstopper due to its striking and unusual appearance.
11. Cascadia
Cascadia petunias are trailing types that are perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes. They produce a profusion of blooms that cascade over the sides. Cascadia petunias are available in various colors, including pink, purple, red, and white.
12. Surfinia
Surfinia petunias are known for their trailing habit and large, vibrant flowers. They are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes. Surfinia petunias come in colors like pink, purple, blue, and red.
13. Picobella
Picobella petunias are compact and covered with small, abundant blooms. They are ideal for small containers and garden edges. These petunias are available in shades of red, white, purple, and blue, and are known for their long-lasting flowers.
14. Littletunia
Littletunia petunias are compact with small flowers and a tidy growth habit. They are perfect for small garden spaces and containers. Littletunia petunias come in a range of colors, including pink, purple, red, and white.
15. Amore
Amore petunias are known for their heart-shaped patterns and bright colors. They are perfect for adding a touch of romance to your garden. These petunias come in vibrant shades like pink, red, and yellow, often with heart-shaped markings.
16. Sun Spun
Sun Spun petunias are heat-tolerant and produce vibrant blooms even in the hottest weather. They are perfect for sunny garden beds and containers. Sun Spun petunias are available in colors like red, pink, purple, and white.
17. Prism
Prism petunias have large, showy flowers with unique color patterns. They are perfect for adding a focal point to garden beds and containers. Prism petunias come in colors like sunshine yellow, coral, and red.
18. Avalanche
Avalanche petunias have a spreading habit and produce an abundance of blooms. They are ideal for ground covers and hanging baskets. Avalanche petunias come in a range of colors, including pink, white, violet, and lavender.
19. Double Madness
Double Madness petunias have double blooms that are very full and lush. They are perfect for adding texture and depth to garden beds and containers. These petunias are available in colors like blue, rose, red, and white.
20. Blanket
Blanket petunias are known for their vigorous growth and dense coverage of flowers. They are perfect for creating a lush, colorful ground cover. Blanket petunias come in stunning colors like purple, pink, and peach.
21. Debonair
Debonair petunias have unique, sophisticated colors and a mounding growth habit. They are ideal for containers and garden beds. Debonair petunias are available in colors like black cherry, magenta, and lime green.
22. Black Velvet
Black Velvet petunias have striking, deep black flowers that add drama to any garden. They are perfect for creating a bold statement in garden beds and containers. This variety is unique and eye-catching with its dark, velvety petals.
23. Prism Sunshine
Prism Sunshine petunias have bright yellow flowers that bring a cheerful touch to your garden. They are ideal for sunny spots and garden beds. This variety is known for its vibrant, sun-like color.
24. Johnny Flame
Johnny Flame petunias are known for their vibrant red and yellow bicolored blooms. They are perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden. This variety stands out with its fiery, contrasting colors.
25. Sophistica
Sophistica petunias have unique color blends and a mounded growth habit. They are perfect for adding an elegant touch to containers and garden beds. Sophistica petunias are available in sophisticated shades like lime green, blackberry, and antique blue.
When’s the best time to plant petunias?
Petunias should be planted in the spring after the last frost has passed. They thrive in warm weather and need full sun to produce the best blooms. The ideal planting time is when the soil has warmed up and night temperatures consistently stay above 50°F (10°C).
Tips on planting petunias
Start by preparing the soil. Ensure it is well-drained and enriched with compost or a balanced fertilizer. Dig holes slightly larger than the root balls of your petunia plants, spacing them 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth. Place the petunias in the holes, cover with soil, and water thoroughly to help them settle in.
That’s really all there is to it, petunias are easy to plant and do well as long as you take care of them.
Caring for petunias
Petunias require regular watering, especially during dry spells. Water them deeply at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Fertilize petunias every two weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage continuous blooming.
Deadhead spent flowers to promote new blooms and prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Pruning overgrown stems can also encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Common problems and solutions
Petunias can be susceptible to pests such as aphids, caterpillars, and slugs. To control these pests, use insecticidal soap or introduce natural predators like ladybugs.
Petunias can also suffer from diseases like powdery mildew and root rot. Ensure proper spacing and watering practices to prevent these issues. If petunias start to exhibit leggy growth, prune back the stems to encourage a fuller, bushier appearance.
Tips for growing petunias in containers
When growing petunias in containers, choose pots with good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Use a high-quality potting mix designed for flowering plants, and check the soil moisture regularly as containers dry out faster than garden beds.
Water the containers thoroughly and fertilize them with a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil at planting time. Petunias in containers benefit from regular deadheading and occasional pruning to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage continuous blooming.
