Petunias are among the
most popular and versatile of all garden flowers. The large, velvety
funnel-shaped blossoms are just wonderful to look at in any setting. They come
in a variety of colors and the petals are best known for their crinkled texture.
Petunias are native to South America, but are widely grown in the United States,
as well as a large number of other countries. Their popularity can be attributed
to several very desirable traits, the least of which is that they are extremely
easy to grow. The flowers bloom all summer, are available in a wide range of
colors, and are not only bright and lively, but fill the air with a wonderful
fragrance.
There are hundreds of
varieties of petunias, however, they are generally classified into four distinct
categories.
GRANDIFLORA PETUNIAS:
These flowers are considered the most popular type of petunia. They produce
large flowers that range from approximately three to four or more inches across.
They may present themselves as single or often double growths. Some are more
suitable for hanging baskets and window boxes, but most grandifloras are upright
plants that grow into large mounds of flowers approximately twelve to fifteen
inches tall.
MULTIFLORA PETUNIAS:
These flowers are smaller than the grandifloras, but they compensate for it with
the incredible number of blossoms that open at spaced intervals. As with other
petunia varieties, they are available in single or double forms, although most
of them are found in single form. Often, they are planted together in the garden
to create the appearance of large patterns of color.
MILLIFLORA PETUNIAS:
These varieties of petunia are small, miniature plants that produce large
quantities of perfectly shaped small flowers about one inch in diameter. They
are often used as edging plants in the garden and are beautiful when mixed with
other flowers in containers. When viewed from a short distance, they are perhaps
one of the most attractive of the garden variety of this plant.
GROUNDCOVER PETUNIAS:
The groundcover is also known as the "spreading" petunia, despite the fact that
it is only about six inches tall. This flower spreads so quickly that it can
cover a tremendous area in one season. For this reason, this variety of petunia
is ideal to plant on top of a retaining wall or flowing down a hillside garden. They are particularly beautiful to view in hanging baskets where they can extend two to three feet or more. If watered and fertilized
frequently, and grown in full sunlight, the groundcover is so full of flowers
that hardly any foliage can be seen.
It is most important
when growing petunias that they are located in an area with a great deal of
light. They will flourish perfectly if situated in full sunlight all day,
however five or six hours of light will be sufficient as well.
This is the perfect
addition to any garden, unequaled in their wide range of dazzling colors, jumbo
to petite sizes and heavenly fragrance. Whatever variety of petunia you select,
you can be assured that you will have many years of pleasure from this very
popular perennial.
