Wednesday, April 9, 2014

'Prism Sunshine' Garden Petunia: Featured Plant of The Day


Petunia x hybrida 'Prism Sunshine'
    Garden Petunia



Type    Annual
Height    12" to 14" / 30cm to 35cm
Spread    15" to 20" / 40cm to 50cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun


Bloom Color    Yellow
Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

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

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has fragrant foliage.

Culture Notes
Petunias belong to the Solanaceae family and come originally from South America. The current hybrid varieties originate from crosses between Petunia axillaris and P. violacea. The most important culture groups are the large flowering (Grandiflora) and the slightly smaller (Multiflora). In addition, the hanging types, such as the "Surfinia" and "Wave" series, and small flowering types ("Milliflora") are gaining ground strongly. Thanks to new, fashionable sorts and colors, Petunia is still one of the most popular summer flowers. The attractively colored plants require little care and can tolerate sun and heat, but need regular watering.

The yellow, grandiflora Petunia 'Prism Sunshine' earned the Gold Medal award for its compactness, uniformity (F1 hybrid) and rapid growth.  However, what is most predominant about this plant is its beautiful, light yellow flowers that, in contrast to existing yellow varieties, do not fade or discolor. In the garden, it grows to form an impressive plant with a very attractive radiating color that flowers abundantly over a long period.  It also was a 1998 All America Selections bedding plant winner.

Petunias are usually purchased in flower, but 'Prism Sunshine' is perfect for hobby gardeners to sow. In the middle of May or after the last frost, the Petunia can be planted outside in the garden or in pots on a sunny patio or balcony. Ensure good porous ground, sufficient water and not too much fertilizer. The sunny color contrasts superbly against the dark ground, or against darker tinted flowers such as other Petunias, Fuchsia 'Florabelle' or scarlet Lobelia speciosa. This medal winning Petunia really comes into glory standing alone between low bushes and leafy plants, bringing a ray of sunshine to the garden or the balcony.