Plants
Petunia
Petunia x hybrida · Nachtschattengewächse (Solanaceae)
The petunia is arguably the most popular balcony plant of summer: trailing, continuously flowering and available in a palette from delicate white to almost black violet. From May into October it bears its funnel-shaped blooms tirelessly. When buying at the Veiling Rhein-Maas we look for strongly rooted, well-branched young plants, because only those truly flower right through the season.
- Light
- Sunny to bright and warm; the more sun, the richer the flowering. Partial shade is tolerated.
- Watering
- High water needs in summer, keep evenly moist and water daily on hot days. Avoid waterlogging.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Petunia x hybrida
Botanically the garden petunia is a hybrid (Petunia x hybrida) bred from several South American wild species and belongs to the nightshade family. Growers distinguish four main groups: Grandiflora petunias with especially large individual blooms, robust Multiflora types with countless smaller flowers, compact Nana Compacta varieties of around 15 centimetres, and the elegantly trailing Pendula group. To these are added modern brands such as Surfinia, Calibrachoa-like mini petunias and weather-resistant series for hanging baskets.
In floristry and seasonal display the petunia is less a cut flower than the lead performer of summer planting. It fills balcony boxes, hanging baskets, tubs and beds, delivering colour for months without pause. In Duesseldorf the trailing Surfinia types are particularly sought after, cascading over balcony railings and planters to form dense curtains of bloom in no time.
Quality shows in the branching: a good petunia is bushy from the base rather than bare, has firm, deep green leaves and plenty of buds instead of just a few open flowers. Weak stock quickly grows leggy and flowers only at the shoot tips. We deliberately choose A1 young plants with healthy roots, because the growers' extra effort pays off later in months of bloom.
Stylistically the petunia combines beautifully: single-colour white or dark violet varieties look elegant and calm, while mixtures of pink, blue and white create a cheerful Mediterranean picture. Good partners are structural plants with fine foliage and trailing companions that frame the petunia's exuberant flowering.
Care
- 01Choose a sunny to bright, warm spot: the more light, the richer the flowering. Partial shade is tolerated but reduces the abundance of blooms.
- 02Keep evenly moist and water daily on hot days, ideally in the morning or evening straight onto the soil. Always avoid waterlogging.
- 03Petunias are heavy feeders: provide flowering-plant fertiliser weekly, otherwise the leaves yellow and flowering declines.
- 04Deadhead spent blooms regularly so the plant sets no seed and puts its energy into new buds instead.
- 05Cut back long or bare shoots firmly; this encourages bushy new growth and a second flush of flowers.
- 06Plant out after the mid-May frosts, as petunias are frost-sensitive; in rainy summers prefer a slightly sheltered position.
Frequently asked
- How long do petunias flower?
- With proper care petunias flower almost continuously from May into October. Key factors are plenty of sun, regular watering, weekly feeding and above all consistent removal of spent blooms. Neglect the deadheading and flowering tails off noticeably sooner.
- Are petunias toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- Petunias are considered non-toxic: the ASPCA lists them as safe for dogs, cats and horses. As with any plant, nibbling larger amounts may cause mild stomach upset, but there is no serious risk of poisoning. To be on the safe side you can still keep the boxes out of reach of curious pets and small children.
- Why are my petunias turning yellow and barely flowering?
- Yellow leaves and weak flowering almost always signal nutrient deficiency or too little light. Petunias are heavy feeders and need weekly fertiliser plus a position as sunny as possible. Waterlogging or a dried-out root ball also harm the roots. With regular feeding, cutting back of bare shoots and even moisture the plant usually recovers quickly.
- Are petunias winter-hardy?
- No, petunias are frost-sensitive and are grown in our climate as annual summer flowers. They only go outdoors after the mid-May frosts. Overwintering in a bright, cool, frost-free spot is theoretically possible but rarely worthwhile, as young, freshly grown plants flower more vigorously.