Bountiful Gardens

The Quintessential Garden Classic: Petunias!

Role in the Garden

• Design Category: Spiller or Filler. Depending on the variety, they can stay in a tidy mound (Filler) or cascade down the side of a structure (Spiller).

• Best Placement: They are the kings of hanging baskets, window boxes, and sunny landscape borders.

• Bloom Season: Spring through the first hard frost. They are "flower factories" that never take a break as long as they are fed.

Care & Maintenance

• The "Deadheading" Shift: Older varieties required "deadheading" (pinching off old flowers) to keep blooming. Modern hybrids (like the Supertunia® or Wave® series) are "self-cleaning" and do the work for you.

• The "Hungry" Factor: Petunias have a high metabolism. To keep them blooming at full power, you must feed them. They are "heavy feeders."

• The Sticky Leaves: Don't worry—the leaves are supposed to be slightly sticky! This is a natural defense mechanism.

• Fragrance: Many varieties (especially blues and purples) have a soft, sweet scent that is most powerful in the evening.

The Essential Tip for Beginners

The "July Haircut": By mid-summer, Petunias can often look "leggy" (long stems with flowers only at the ends). If this happens, don't be afraid to take garden shears and cut the whole plant back by half. It feels like a crime, but it forces the plant to branch out from the base. Within two weeks, you’ll have a lush, bushy plant that will bloom perfectly until winter!