
What is the difference between upright and trailing petunias?
The difference is that upright petunias can reach heights of 12 inches or more. Trailing petunias only reach heights of 4 to 6 inches, yet they trail 2 to 3 feet. While most people use the term trailing petunias, climbing, ground cover and spreading petunias are one and the same.
What are the different types of petunias?
There are basically two types of petunias: upright and trailing. The difference is that upright petunias can reach heights of 12 inches or more. Trailing petunias only reach heights of 4 to 6 inches, yet they trail 2 to 3 feet. While most people use the term trailing petunias, climbing, ground cover and spreading petunias are one and the same.
How do you grow trailing petunias?
Buy your trailing petunias from a garden center or start them from seed. Make sure you select a variety that will only grow to a height of 4 to 6 inches and trail 2 to 3 feet. Read the labels on the plants.
Are Supertunia petunias good for containers?
Supertunia Trailing –. Supertunia Trailing petunias are very strongly trailing, with very little height. They will function as spillers in containers, but are also good as front-of-the-bed plants for landscapes. If your goal for hanging baskets or window boxes is to have the plants be as long as possible, Supertunia Mini is the best choice.

Are all petunia Trailing?
There are many varieties of petunia and most can be placed into three categories: Trailing. Mound forming. Ground covering.
Is there a difference between petunias and trailing petunias?
Trailing petunias spread farther than the compact varieties. The cascading grandiflora varieties grow just a few feet, but the spreading petunia varieties can cover a huge area in one growing season. The milliflora and multiflora varieties are more compact, filling in and growing upright rather than horizontally.
What kind of petunias are trailing?
'Cascadias Rim Magenta' is one of the Cascadias petunias, characterised by their trailing habit. They're ideal for growing in hanging baskets or tumbling over the sides of pots and window boxes.
Do petunias trail down?
This means you can plant them almost anywhere without worrying they will become invasive. Trailing or spreading petunias work well in baskets, tall containers, window boxes and along the top of walls where their flowery masses happily hang down 2 to 3 feet.
Which petunias are cascading?
"Cascading" describes plants that produce blossoms on the long, pendulous stems that can overflow hanging baskets or drip from balcony containers. Of the four categories of petunias - grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora and groundcover - both grandiflora and groundcover types produce cascading blossoms.
Which petunias trail the best?
Vista – Supertunia® Vista petunias are very vigorous, with mounding habits that can reach up to 2 feet in the landscape and will trail over the edges of baskets and containers up to 4 feet by the end of the season.
Do trailing petunias need to be deadheaded?
You should deadhead petunias because it encourages them to bloom more vigorously. After the blossoms become brown and dried up, the plant uses its energy to produce seeds. What is this? When you remove the dead blooms and seed pods, the plant will be able to use that energy to produce more flowers instead.
Are petunias upright or trailing?
Petunias are divided into two main types: compact bushy petunias with an upright habit, and trailing petunias with stems up to 90cm long. Within both groups there's a huge choice of colours and flower shapes to choose from.
What kind of petunia is best for hanging baskets?
The best petunia varieties for your hanging baskets are milliflora and multiflora petunias. These two types of petunias have trailing growth habits and bloom intensely. The flowers will drape and hang over the sides of hanging baskets and create a very dramatic display.
Will petunias climb a trellis?
Tidal Wave Petunia is for those who want to GO BIG in beds, containers, and large planters. It's a nonstop grower and if you give it a trellis or something to climb up, it will create a super-size flowering hedge – perfect to brighten up a wooden fence border or create massive hanging baskets!
Why are my petunias flopping over?
Like lots of plants, petunias respond to a lack of water by wilting. Don't just water them more though! Wilting petunia flowers can also be a sign of too much water. Always check the soil around your petunias before watering–if the soil is still damp, don't water it.
How do you get petunias to stand up?
Water weekly, use a water-soluble fertilizer once monthly and deadhead your petunias every week or every other week to prevent petunias from becoming leggy and encourage bushier, fuller growth of your petunias with far more vibrancy in color.
What are the different types of petunias?
There are four main types of petunia plants: Grandiflora, Multiflora, Milliflora, and Spreading (Wave). All four are readily available in series, which are groups of plants with uniform size and flowering habits.
Can you put normal petunias in hanging baskets?
Petunias are one of the most popular summer flowers for their vibrant long-lasting blooms, vigorous growth, and mounding, spreading or trailing habit that makes them perfect for hanging baskets.
What kind of petunia is best for hanging baskets?
The best petunia varieties for your hanging baskets are milliflora and multiflora petunias. These two types of petunias have trailing growth habits and bloom intensely. The flowers will drape and hang over the sides of hanging baskets and create a very dramatic display.
What is the difference between mounding and trailing petunias?
3:264:31Trailing Petunia: Part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow the difference between double trailing petunias and double betting petunias the flowers areMoreNow the difference between double trailing petunias and double betting petunias the flowers are smaller. But way more flower power so overall. You'll get a more color in the whole view of the basket.
Which Type of Petunia is Best For Hanging Baskets?
Our recommendation for UK gardeners looking for trailing basket petunias is to choose either the Surfinia or the Wave petunia.
Our recommendation for UK gardeners looking for trailing basket petunias is to choose either the Sur...
Try to maintain a uniform shape when pruning but don't be afraid to prune off half the growth or more if the plant is somewhat leggy and sparse. If...
How Often Should Trailing Petunias be Watered?
Petunias require a lot of water but the roots prefer moist yet never waterlogged soil. The baskets/containers should also allow the water to freely...
How often should trailing petunias in baskets be fertilised?
We recommend fertilising the petunias in baskets after every fourth watering. So in the summer when you're watering once per day that will be about...
How to grow trailing petunias?
At their peak, their green leaves are barely noticeable. Buy your trailing petunias from a garden center or start them from seed. Cultivate the soil. Turn the soil over and add peat moss, well-rotted leaf compost or manure if you are planting petunias in the ground.
How much sunlight do petunias need?
It is easy to get distracted by the color and beauty of the flowers. Select a location for your petunias that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. Full sunlight is best. Although often used in containers or hanging pots, trailing petunias add color and beauty to a hillside or retaining wall.
How many types of petunias are there?
The petunia is a garden staple for its color and long-lasting blooms. Every year, 600 to 1,000 new varieties are developed. There are basically two types of petunias: upright and trailing.
What is a petunia?
The petunia is a garden staple for its color and long-lasting blooms.
Is a petunia the same as a climbing petunia?
While most people use the term trailing petunias, climbing, ground cover and spreading petunias are one and the same. Thanks to marketing efforts, hybrids like Wave, Surfina and Kirin have become names synonymous with trailing petunias. The petunia is a garden staple for its color and long-lasting blooms. The difference is that upright petunias can ...
Do petunias need deadheading?
Single blooms are self-cleaning and do not require deadheading. When planting trailing petunias in containers or hanging baskets, angle the plant at 45 degrees to encourage cascading. Warnings. Do not plant petunias outdoors until the danger of frost has passed.
When was Linda Marie published?
Linda Marie was first published in 1969 while a feature news writer for the "Selfridge Flyer". She has held positions in broadcast copywriting, trade magazine publications, retail advertising and medical marketing. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.
Are You Aggressively Fertilising Your Petunias?
High pH levels – petunias thrive in pH levels between 5 and 6 and may suffer yellowing and stunted growth if grown in soil near and above 7. Not sure of your soil’s pH level? Try one of these soil testing kits, they’re cheaper than you think.
What is the best petunia to grow in the UK?
Our recommendation for UK gardeners looking for trailing basket petunias is to choose either the Surfinia or the Wave petunia. Both of these petunias require little maintenance and grow prolifically with the potential for long, dense trails.
How to feed plants without fertiliser?
Potting up hanging baskets is a little tricky but is a great way to feed your plants without using any fertiliser. Let’s say you start with 6″ hanging baskets, after a couple of months you can move the plants to 9″ baskets and fill the extra space with organic matter such as compost and manure.
What is the best mix for hanging petunias?
The Ideal Potting Mix For Petunias. If soils and composts are used in hanging baskets, you may encounter some issues: Weight – soil is very heavy when wet and the total weight of the basket could bend or break the hook or bracket.
What can I use to keep my plants from rooting?
A simple and cheap solution is to use a mixture of multi-purpose compost, a growing medium such as coconut coir (or use peat but be aware of its environmental damage) and perlite.
Why rotate baskets in garden?
Consider rotating baskets if one area of your garden receives less sunlight.
What is the best fertilizer for long trails?
We suggest starting with a good all-rounder such as Miracle-Gro soluble universal fertiliser which has a high concentration of nitrogen which is perfect for encouraging long trails.
What is the difference between a petunia and a compact petunia?
All of them produce five-petaled flowers in almost every color. Trailing petunias usually fall into the spreading and grandiflora categories while compact petunias fall into the multiflora and milliflora categories.
How wide are petunia flowers?
Compact multiflora petunias bloom with 1- to 2-inch wide flowers in single or double forms, and milliflora flowers measure only 1 inch wide.
What zone do petunias grow in?
By Sarah Morse. The petunia family (Petunia spp.) consists of a few dozen tender perennial plants that overwinter in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11. They fall into four categories: grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora and spreading. All of them produce five-petaled flowers in almost every color.
Which petunias spread farther than compact?
Trailing petunias spread farther than the compact varieties. The cascading grandiflora varieties grow just a few feet, but the spreading petunia varieties can cover a huge area in one growing season. The milliflora and multiflora varieties are more compact, filling in and growing upright rather than horizontally.
Do petunias need full sun?
Care requirements for both trailing and compact petunias are much the same. Both varieties do best in full sun and do not do well in temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They thrive in moderately fertile but well-drained soil and with a light application of fertilizer in the middle of the growing season.
Do petunias grow in pots?
The trailing grandiflora petunias work well in window boxes and pots, where they cascade over the containers' edges. Spreading petunias also trail over boxes and pots as well as over walls, where they can grow more than 3 feet in one growing season. The compact petunias work better for splashes of color in the garden, as edging and as accents in large pots.
Who is Sarah Morse?
Sarah Morse has been a writer since 2009, covering environmental topics, gardening and technology. She holds a bachelor's degree in English language and literature, a master's degree in English and a master's degree in information science.
What is the name of the flower that grows on a petunia?
Petunias are often classified according to their form by terms such as Grandiflora (large flowers), Multiflora (smaller, more plentiful flowers), Wave (spreading), Supertunia (larger than wave petunias but with a similar spilling growth habit), Cascadia (long, pendulous stems), and Surfinia (trailing stems with small bell-shaped flowers). ...
How to grow petunias from seed?
To grow the more unusual varieties—including some of the hybrids described here—you'll probably have to purchase seeds online and start them indoors 10–12 weeks before the outdoor planting date. Sprinkle the tiny seeds over a tray filled with seed starter mix, and place it in a warm, bright location until the seeds germinate and sprout into seedlings. Petunias are warm-weather plants, so make sure to harden the seedlings off before transplanting into the garden once the soil warms to at least 70 degrees.
What color is limelight petunia?
Like the zinnia variety of the same name, ‘Limelight’ petunias show that gardeners are hungry for the trendy magenta-and-lime-green color combo. A 2013 introduction, the tidy, compact growth habit of this petunia works well at the front of a border.
What flowers attract hummingbird moths?
National Garden Bureau. White petunias are de rigueur in the moon garden, where their nocturnal fragrance and glowing petals attract hummingbird moths. The delicate chartreuse throats of this variety also provide interest in the daylight and keep the blooms from looking washed out in bright light.
How warm should the soil be for petunias?
Petunias are warm-weather plants, so make sure to harden the seedlings off before transplanting into the garden once the soil warms to at least 70 degrees. 01 of 11.
What color is a prism sunshine?
Bright yellowish-green flowers like those on the ‘Prism Sunshine’ petunia will always be in demand due to their versatility in garden design. The neutral hue works with any garden color scheme, including pinks, reds, blues, and whites. Best of all, this cultivar is available as seed, so you can grow a few flats to fill in blanks in all your containers and flower beds.
What is the best petunia to grow with silver?
It has a more compact growth habit than many other petunias. ‘Fortunia Early Blue Vein’ has an almost silvery appearance, which pairs well with other silver plants, such as dusty miller. For an alternative silver petunia, try ‘Tidal Wave Silver,’ an All-America Selections (AAS) winner.
How big do Grandiflora petunias get?
Grandiflora Petunia. Frederic Didillon / Photolibrary / Getty Images. Grandifloras are one of the oldest varieties. These petunias grow 8 to 12 inches high and have the large (4 to 5 inch), wavy-edged blossoms that petunias first became known for. The flowers can be single or the more ruffled doubles.
What is a million bell?
Calibrachoa (Million Bells or Superbells) look like tiny petunias, but they are an entirely different species. However, they are increasingly popular and may just suit your purpose in a hanging basket. The tiny flowers cover the foliage and Calibrachoa hybrids share the best traits of hybrid petunias: long blooming, no deadheading, and weather tolerance. They also come in unusual petunia colors, such as gold and terra-cotta.
How tall do wave petunias grow?
The wave series created quite a stir when first introduced and the flowers just keep improving. Wave petunias grow only 6 inches tall but can spread to 4 feet. That feature would be enough to make them worth growing, but wave petunias also do not need deadheading. On the downside, they do wear out in the hottest part of the summer. Prolonged heat diminishes flowering in wave petunias, but a little pruning will usually revive them. Wave petunias make wonderful groundcovers and trailers for containers. There is also a 'Tidal Wave' series, which tends to stay a bit more upright.
What are the two types of petunias?
PATSTOCK / Getty Images. Cascadia and Surfinia are two more popular types of petunias. These are bred for their trailing habit, vivid colors, and prolific flowering. They generally have the wide flowers of traditional petunias, in unusual colors.
Do petunias need to be deadheaded?
Grandiflora petunias have the largest flowers, but the flowers get pummeled by rain, turning to a mushy mess that makes them unpleasant to deadhead —and they will need to be deadheaded if you want them to continue blooming. If the spent flowers are left on, the stems will grow long, but no new buds will form.
What is edging in a garden?
Garden bed edging is placed along the perimeter of the planting area to define the border between the bed and your lawn, a walkway, or another part of your property. You can use plants for edging, as well as bricks, stones, short garden fencing, and other weather-proof materials. 01 of 06.
Is Multiflora petunia good for garden beds?
Because of their mounding habit, multiflora petunias are a better choice for garden beds than grandifloras and they work very well in containers. There are also hybrids of grandiflora and multiflora petunias, which share qualities of both types. A whole new category was created to describe them, known as the floribundas.
