Top-performing Petunia varieties for cascading containers
Petunias are a popular choice for hanging baskets, offering a captivating cascade of colorful blooms for any porch, balcony, or garden. This guide walks you through the essentials of growing petunia hanging baskets, from selecting top varieties, planting, and care tips for lush new growth and unique design ideas.
Whether you're a gardening newbie or a seasoned pro, you'll find valuable insights into cultivating beautiful, blooming petunia displays that will keep visitors in awe all summer long.
Top Petunia Choices for Hanging Basket Success
1. Wave Petunias
Known for producing numerous small blooms, Wave petunias are ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and small spaces. They require more fertilizer than usual and thrive best in direct sunlight, though they can tolerate partial sun. Water them consistently, avoiding waterlogging, and keep them away from areas prone to water collection after rain or irrigation.
2. Calibrachoa (Million Bells, Superbells)
These plants feature trailing stems and continuous summertime blooms. Grow Calibrachoas in containers or hanging baskets with excellent drainage and keep them happy with plenty of sunlight, moderate water, and fertilizer. Combine these plants with petunias in container gardens or use them as groundcovers in well-drained soil.
3. Supertunia Vista Bubblegum
Sporting medium-sized, bright bubblegum pink flowers, the Supertunia is a sterile petunia that produces abundant blooms without producing seeds. Propagated from cuttings, the Supertunia is a full sun plant that requires minimal deadheading (removal of old flowers). Keep it watered regularly, especially when grown in containers, and provide it with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
4. Multiflora Petunia
Smaller than other varieties, multiflora petunia offers numerous but smaller blooms, making it perfect for cascading containers or hanging baskets. Its strong stems make multiflora petunia suited for windy climates, improving its longevity during rainy weather. Plant multiflora and grandiflora petunia varieties about 12 inches apart in full sunlight and a couple of inches less in partial shade. They prefer well-drained fertile soil kept consistently moist.
5. Supertunia Petunias
Known for their vigorous growth and continuous color, Supertunia petunias are perfect for cascading in hanging baskets. Plant Supertunias in well-drained soil and provide them with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Apply a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks or use a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time. Unlike some varieties, deadheading is not required.
6. Grandiflora Petunia
Petunias need at least 5 hours of sunlight, and Grandifloras perform even better with all-day exposure. They thrive in heat and require moderate watering, with frequent watering required for spreading varieties. Plant Grandifloras in spring after the frost threat has passed and enjoy blooms throughout the summer until full cold weather sets in.
7. Supertunia Honey
Supertunia Honey is a versatile plant that thrives with at least 5 hours of sunlight per day, but the more sunlight, the more flowers it will produce. Water these plants thoroughly but avoid overwatering, as they're susceptible to root rot. Supertunia Honey is a great choice for containers or hanging baskets, where it can serve as a filler or cascade over the basket's edges.
In a Nutshell
When selecting the best petunia for hanging baskets, consider Supertunia Vista, Wave, and Surfinia varieties, which are known for their continuous growth, abundant blooms, and adaptability to various conditions. With the proper care, consisting of regular watering and feeding and the removal of spent blooms, you'll enjoy a striking and vibrant arrangement that adds a burst of color and charm to your outdoor haven for months on end.
Spruce up your home-and-garden lifestyle with continuous blooming petunias in hanging baskets. Choose from Supertunia Vista, Wave, and Surfinia varieties for an eye-catching cascade of flowers, ensuring lush new growth all season long.
