Petunias
Solanaceae Family
Petunias
in flower beds and pots are among the most popular annual garden flowers. There are many petunia varieties to choose from; most of them are hybrids. You'll find these prolific bloomers with wide, trumpet-shaped flowers in almost every color but true blue. Colors range from solid to striped or veined, There are petunias with single or double blooms and with ruffled or smooth petals. The branching foliage is hairy and somewhat sticky. The growth habit is mounding or cascading. Some petunia varieties are more fragrant than others.
Light
Most petunia varieties like full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. But in the heat of summer, partial shade (especially protection from the strong afternoon sun) will help to keep them refreshed and blooming better.
How to care for Petunias:
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Petunias are fast-growing plants that will reach their mature size by late spring. When to plant petunias depends on your area's projected last spring frost date; the plants must not be exposed to any frost.
- Plant petunias in a location where they get at least 6 hours of full sun per day.
- Make sure the soil is well-draining.
- Protect the plants from extreme heat.
- Water whenever the top 2 inches of soil feel dry.
- Fertilize them regularly throughout the growing season.
- If the variety is not self-cleaning, deadhead spent flowers.