Petunias are some of the most popular bedding out plants and are considered an annual in most areas. I buy them every year as they’re easy to grow, bloom all summer and come in a variety of colours. Mind you, the first year I planted them I had no idea what to do with them so I didn’t pinch them. I ended up with 2 foot long stems with a single bloom at the end! One of my favourite varieties is Wave (pictured below) but pretty much any variety you buy will do nicely. On our front steps we have two barrels, it's a hot and sunny spot, just perfect for petunias. In the past I've leaned towards shades of purple but this year I've gone with red and white.
Petunias are South American in origin and the Mayans and Incans believed that the odor of these flowers had the power to chase away underworld spirits and monsters. According to folklore, these flowering plants thrive where there is positive energy and will not grow where there is negativity. If given as a gift, they have two meanings: either the giver is comfortable with someone or conversely, they also represent anger and resentment. I couldn’t find any medicinal purposes for petunias so I suppose their beauty could be considered food for the soul. My local Home Depot had these gems one year but I haven't seen this unusual colour since.
You can plant petunias anywhere ie in borders, hanging baskets, pots or
even as a seasonal groundcover. They like full sun and will become spindly and won’t
bloom if the spot is too shady. They can spread anywhere from 18 inches to 4
feet, with a height from 6 to 18 inches. If putting them in a pot, make sure
the pot drains well and use a good potting soil. If planting in the ground, add
compost to poor soil to promote growth. I fertilize mine every 2 weeks with 20
20 20. They are fairly heat tolerant and
don’t need water every day but keep an eye out for frost! They do well in mixed planter pots.
However, keep the soil moist and when you do water, water thoroughly as shallow watering encourages shallow roots. Also, dead head regularly to encourage new blooms. When they start to get too leggy, I pinch them about halfway down the stem and just above a leaf node. They’ll look a little sad at first but a good dose of water and fertilizer will encourage growth and they’ll rebound nicely. These popular plants have few insect or disease pests although aphids and slugs can be a problem. I live in a dry climate so that’s never been an issue for me.
If you're looking for an easy to grow annual, try petunias, you can't go wrong!
Lov petunias. This year mine are yellow and dark pink. Many years ago, on children's Sunday my grandfather gave a petunia to every child at our church
ReplyDeleteYellow and dark pink sounds like a lovely combination! And what a nice idea to give a petunia on children's Sunday. :)
DeleteMy ex husband used to grow petunias in front of the house, and I enjoyed them. Even in Arizona, they did well... in the spring, until the heat struck. Nowadays, living in an apartment, I can only have potted plants, but the balcony heat kills most blooms. Your garden is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow, I did not know petunias would grow in Arizona and I can imagine the heat is hard on flowers. Even in March, when we've been in Arizona, it can be hot. Thank you, we really enjoy our garden - summers are so short here, it's a good reason to be outside. :)
DeleteI've always thought petunias to be a a cheerful, happy flower. We have them every season. This year we have purple petunias. Love the pics of your yard.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've grown quite fond of them - once I figured out they needed to be pinched, haha. Glad you're enjoying the pics, I enjoy sharing them as it brings back memories of past years. :)
DeleteGreat minds think alike--we chose flowers for May's subject! :) I especially love the fragrant ones and smell them before I buy sets! ;)
ReplyDelete