Master the diverse world of petunia varieties from grandifloras to spreading types. Learn succession strategies, pruning techniques, and design combinations for continuous color.
Sarah Green
Horticulturist and garden expert with 15+ years of experience growing vegetables, herbs, and houseplants. Certified Master Gardener.
Advanced Petunia Growing and Variety Selection
The modern petunia world offers incredible diversity—from giant ruffled grandifloras to vigorous spreading groundcovers. Understanding these varieties and their cultural needs allows gardeners to select perfect petunias for every situation and maintain stunning displays throughout the season.
Complete Guide to Petunia Varieties
Grandiflora Petunias
The original garden petunias with the largest flowers:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Flower size | 3-5 inches |
| Plant height | 12-15 inches |
| Spread | 12-18 inches |
| Bloom count | Fewer than other types |
| Weather tolerance | Fair—damaged by rain |
Popular Grandiflora Series:
| Series | Features | Colors Available |
|---|---|---|
| Dreams | Large, weather-resistant | Full range |
| Ultra | Very large blooms | Many colors |
| Storm | Rain-tolerant | Multiple colors |
| Supercascade | Cascading habit | Wide range |
| Double Cascade | Double flowers | Pink, blue, mix |
Best Uses:
- Protected containers
- Covered porches
- Focal point plantings
- Cut flowers (short-lived)
Multiflora Petunias
More compact plants with abundant smaller flowers:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Flower size | 2 inches |
| Plant height | 8-12 inches |
| Spread | 12-18 inches |
| Bloom count | Very high |
| Weather tolerance | Excellent |
Popular Multiflora Series:
| Series | Features | Colors Available |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity | Compact, rain-resistant | Very wide range |
| Carpet | Low, spreading habit | Many colors |
| Hurrah | Very uniform | Full range |
| Primetime | Early flowering | Multiple colors |
| Mirage | Good heat tolerance | Extensive palette |
Best Uses:
- Mass plantings
- Bedding
- Exposed locations
- Landscape color
Floribunda Petunias
Hybrid between grandiflora and multiflora:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Flower size | 2-3 inches |
| Plant height | 10-12 inches |
| Weather tolerance | Good |
| Vigor | Excellent |
Popular Floribunda Series:
| Series | Features |
|---|---|
| Madness | Original floribunda |
| Celebrity | Improved weather tolerance |
| Freedom | Heat-tolerant |
Milliflora Petunias
Compact plants with tiny flowers:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Flower size | 1-1.5 inches |
| Plant height | 6-8 inches |
| Spread | 8-12 inches |
| Bloom count | Very high |
Popular Milliflora Series:
| Series | Features |
|---|---|
| Fantasy | Original milliflora |
| Picobella | Very compact |
| Shock Wave | Spreading milliflora |
Best Uses:
- Container edges
- Small spaces
- Borders
- Combination plantings
Spreading/Wave Petunias
Revolutionary groundcover types:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Flower size | 2-3 inches |
| Plant height | 4-6 inches |
| Spread | 2-4 feet |
| Growth rate | Very fast |
| Maintenance | Very low |
Major Spreading Series:
| Series | Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wave | Original spreading petunia | Started the category (1995) |
| Easy Wave | More compact than Wave | Better for small spaces |
| Shock Wave | Milliflora-sized flowers | Dense, compact spread |
| Tidal Wave | Very vigorous | Can hedge 22" tall |
| Double Wave | Double flowers | Spreading and double |
Branded Spreading Types:
| Brand | Features |
|---|---|
| Supertunia | Vigorous, self-cleaning |
| Surfinia | Heavy blooming, trailing |
| Cascadias | Cascading habit |
| Fortunia | European breeding |
Best Uses:
- Groundcover
- Hanging baskets
- Large containers
- Mass planting
Double-Flowered Petunias
Rose-like double blooms:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Flower form | Fully double, ruffled |
| Plant height | Variable by series |
| Weather tolerance | Fair |
| Maintenance | Higher |
Popular Double Series:
| Series | Features |
|---|---|
| Double Wave | Spreading + double |
| Tumbelina | Trailing double |
| Pirouette | Upright double |
Color Selection Guide
Solid Colors
| Color | Top Varieties |
|---|---|
| White | 'White Cloud', 'Dreams White' |
| Pink | 'Dreams Pink', 'Easy Wave Pink' |
| Red | 'Dreams Red', 'Supertunia Red' |
| Purple | 'Easy Wave Blue', 'Wave Purple' |
| Yellow | 'Easy Wave Yellow', 'Prism Sunshine' |
| Blue | 'Dreams Sky Blue', 'Wave Blue' |
Bicolors and Patterns
| Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|
| Star patterns | 'Littletunia Bicolor Illusion' |
| Veined | 'Sweetunia Fancy' |
| Picotee (edge) | 'Frost Fire', 'Dreams Picotee' |
| Striped | 'Ultra Crimson Star' |
Novel Colors
| Color | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Near-black | 'Black Velvet', 'Phantom' |
| Coral | 'Supertunia Coral' |
| Burgundy | 'Wave Burgundy' |
| Lime/chartreuse | 'Supertunia Limoncello' |
Growing for Season-Long Color
Timing and Planting
Planting Schedule:
| Region | Timing |
|---|---|
| Cool climates | After last frost |
| Warm climates | Early spring |
| Hot climates | Spring and fall |
The Mid-Season Cutback
Essential for continued bloom:
| When | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-summer | Leggy, sparse bloom | Cut back 1/3 to 1/2 |
| Recovery time | 2-3 weeks | Heavy fertilize |
| Result | Fresh fall bloom | Like new plants |
Cutback Procedure:
- Reduce water slightly 2-3 days before
- Cut stems back to 4-6 inches
- Remove all spent flowers and seed pods
- Apply balanced fertilizer
- Resume normal watering
- New growth in 7-10 days
- Flowers return in 2-3 weeks
Succession Planting
For continuous display:
| Approach | Method |
|---|---|
| Staggered planting | Plant new every 4-6 weeks |
| Reserve plants | Keep backups growing |
| Fall refresh | Plant new in late summer |
Container Growing Mastery
Container Selection
| Container Type | Best Petunia Types |
|---|---|
| Hanging baskets | Spreading, cascading |
| Window boxes | Spreading, multiflora |
| Large pots (12"+) | All types |
| Mixed containers | Upright center, trailing edge |
Container Culture
| Factor | Specification |
|---|---|
| Potting mix | Premium, well-draining |
| Drainage | Absolutely critical |
| Container size | Larger = less maintenance |
| Spacing | Can plant closer than ground |
Fertilizing Containers
| Type | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Slow-release | At planting, mid-season |
| Liquid | Weekly during active growth |
| Spreading types | Every 5-7 days |
Spreading petunias in containers are extremely heavy feeders—yellowing often indicates need for more fertilizer.
Design Combinations
Thriller-Filler-Spiller
| Role | Petunia Use |
|---|---|
| Thriller | Tidal Wave (hedging type) |
| Filler | Multiflora or grandiflora |
| Spiller | Wave, Supertunia |
Color Wheel Combinations
| Combination Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Complementary | Purple + yellow |
| Analogous | Pink + purple + blue |
| Triadic | Red + yellow + blue |
| Monochromatic | Shades of purple |
With Companion Plants
| Petunia Type | Good Partners |
|---|---|
| Spreading | Sweet potato vine, calibrachoa |
| Grandiflora | Dusty miller, lobelia |
| Multiflora | Marigolds, alyssum |
Growing for Specific Uses
Hanging Baskets
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Basket size | 12" minimum |
| Best types | Spreading, cascading |
| Number per basket | 3-5 plants |
| Liner | Coco fiber or moss |
| Watering | Daily in summer |
Groundcover Use
| Factor | Specification |
|---|---|
| Best types | Wave, Easy Wave |
| Spacing | 12-24" apart |
| Coverage | 2-4 square feet per plant |
| Mulch | Not needed, plants shade soil |
Window Boxes
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Box depth | 8" minimum |
| Best types | Spreading, multiflora |
| Drainage | Essential |
| Exposure | South or west ideal |
Troubleshooting Advanced Issues
Poor Performance by Type
| Type | Common Issue | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Grandiflora | Rain damage | Protected location |
| Spreading | Yellowing | More fertilizer |
| Multiflora | Leggy growth | More sun, cutback |
Color Fading
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Heat stress | Increase water, mulch |
| Old flowers | Remove spent blooms |
| Nutrient deficiency | Increase fertilizer |
Sparse Blooming
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too much shade | Relocate or accept |
| Over-fertilizing (nitrogen) | Use balanced or bloom food |
| Need for cutback | Prune and fertilize |
Understanding petunia diversity and advanced cultural techniques allows gardeners to create stunning, long-lasting displays in any garden situation.
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