Hanging Petunia Baskets Get Flying Colors
Debbie Teashon
For someone who has never cared for the common petunia, I am growing plenty of them these days. The explosion of color in strains recently introduced seems to be unlimited. With all the prolific breeding going on, it’s not surprising that they’re now calling some of them super petunias. Alas, in our region their “kryptonite” is still our slugs.
Last year I grew two terrific cultivars, each one in its own woven hanging basket, way above slug reaches. The flowers added vibrant color to an area in the garden that goes quietly green for the summer.
The two I grew—Petunia 'Balsunbur' more commonly known in the trade as Suncatcher Burgundy Trailing Petunia, and Petunia 'PAS760723' better known as Shock Wave™ Coral Crush Spreading Petunia—brightened the area in the garden that needed some exuberant color. As its name implies, the trailing petunia quickly filled the basket and spilled its neon blossoms down the sides. The dark throat and black veining punctuated the vibrant fuchsia-rose hue of its petals. Coral Crush remained upright and quickly filled the basket with its yellow throated, coral hued blossoms. Not knowing how it would grow, I was glad I planted it in a handsome woven basket.
Nestled in with others, both of these petunias make great companion plants in containers where punches of neon colors are wanted as basket trailers or fillers.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Wendy Tweton and Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners)
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