Petunia is a tender perennial (zones 9-11) that is grown as an annual in cooler regions. The trumpet-shaped flowers bloom throughout the summer.
Start petunia seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Or sow outdoors after the last frost. Sow on the surface. Full sun. Well-drained soil.
Petunia integrifolia is the wild species from which the modern petunias have descended. The trailing plants have 2" wide, rosy-purple flowers.
Wild petunias are lovely at the edge of a garden path, tumbling over rocks, or spilling out of hanging baskets and containers . The vivid, trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds. Also known as Petunia violacea.
Petunia 'Fire Chief' is a compact plant that produces loads of rose-red flowers that fade to soft rose-pink. The bushy plants grow to 12" wide, making them ideal for bedding and containers.
Petunia 'Fire Chief' is a rare heirloom flower . It was the first red petunia ever bred, and it became an All-America Selections winner in 1950.
Petunia 'Dwarf Mixed' has bushy plants loaded with fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, violet, purple, salmon and white.
Petunia 'Dwarf Mixed' reseeds in warm climates . Blooming can be increased by deadheading, and bushiness can be increased by pinching back the vines early in the season. Wonderful for containers and hanging baskets. Easy to grow.
Petunia exserta has star-shaped, red flowers that attract hummingbirds .
This is a very rare species. It was discovered in 1987 in southern Brazil. Only 14 plants were found growing in the shaded cracks of a limestone outcropping. It readily crosses with other petunia species, so it should be isolated to keep the strain pure. Self-sows where it's happy.