Friday, February 13, 2015

Spring Bloomers, Petunia Edition

Petunia x hybrida
    Garden Petunia


Type    Annual
Height    6" to 15" / 15cm to 40cm
Spread    8" to 12" / 20cm to 30cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun



Bloom Color    Pink, purple, red, white and yellow
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.





Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.



Leaf Color    Green
This plant has fragrant foliage.



Culture Notes
Plants prefer a sunny, well-drained soil.  Most plants tend to flop with age.  Removal of spent flowers encourages more blooms.  Cultivars are not reliable from seed.  Stem cuttings can be taken and rooted in the summer.


Petunia x hybrida 'Primetime Plum'
    Garden Petunia


Type    Annual
Height    8" to 15" / 20cm to 40cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Irregular or sprawling
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun



Bloom Color    Purple
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.



Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.



Leaf Color    Green
This plant has fragrant foliage.



Culture Notes
Excellent plant for massing in beds, borders, and containers.  Pinching off dead blooms will encourage continuous blooming.  These plants do very well in hot, dry climates.



Petunia x hybrida 'Celebrity Chiffon Morn'
    Garden Petunia

Type    Annual
Height    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Spread    12" to 14" / 30cm to 35cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun



Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.



Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.



Leaf Color    Green
This plant has fragrant foliage.



Culture Notes
Winner of the 1995 All-America Selections bedding plant award.  This plant does excellent in containers due to its drought tolerance. Soft pastel pink flowers with white centers works well with other flowering plants.  'Celebrity Chiffon Morn' shows exceptional weather tolerance.



Petunia x hybrida 'Heavenly Lavender'
    Garden Petunia


Type    Annual
Height    10" to 12" / 25cm to 30cm
Spread    18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Full sun



Bloom Color    Lavender
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.



Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.



Leaf Color    Green
This plant has fragrant foliage.



Culture Notes
'Heavenly Lavender' was chosen by All-America Selections as a 1996 bedding plant winner.  These double-flowered plants are more compact and branching in full sun.   Removal of spent flowers encourages more blooms.  Stem cuttings can be taken and rooted in the summer.



Petunia x hybrida 'Fantasy Pink Morn'
    Garden Petunia

Type    Annual
Height    10" to 12" / 25cm to 30cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has fragrant foliage.

Culture Notes
'Fantasy Pink Morn' was chosen by All-America Selections as a 1996 bedding plant winner.  This petite petunia is about 2/3 the size of a normal petunia.  It has light pink blossoms with creamy white centers and prefers a sunny, well-drained soil.  Unlike other petunias, this plant does not require pruning mid season to maintain a compact shape.  Cultivars are not reliable from seed.  Stem cuttings can be taken and rooted in the summer.