Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001061
11/12/99

Petunia x hybrida--Petunia


Height: 18 in Spacing: 12 in
Type: annual
Flowers: Blue, pink, purple, red, white, yellow

Comments: Petunia growers may select from many different
growth habits, colors, and bloom types. The grandifloras
have large single or double flowers. Doubles get heavy in
the rain so may be beaten down. The multifloras produce
more flowers than grandifloras but they will not be as
large although they can be single or double. The cascade
types have a drooping growth habit useful in hanging pots.
Petunia is popular because it is easy to grow. It needs
full sun or partial shade and a light textured, well-
drained, moderately moist soil. Petunia is tolerant of
most soil types except clay and it requires good drainage.
Older plants tend to sprawl so are sheared back in early
July promote new growth and renewed blooming. Fertilize
after the shearing to speed the recovery.

Propagation: Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Softwood
cuttings taken in fall or late summer root easily. The
seed is very small so may be hard to work with.
Germination takes ten to twelve days at 70 to 80 degrees.
Don't cover the seed with soil. Sow the seed eight weeks
prior to the outdoor planting date. The smallest plants
may be the best bloomers. Spindly seedlings may be
pinched.

Cultivars:
'Aladdin Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Peach
(Vis. 1) Morn', 'Red', 'Salmon', 'White'.
'Aladdin Pink' (Vis. 2).
'Bella' - Multiflora, specifically 'Bicolor Mix', 'Deep
Salmon', 'Mixed', 'Picotee Rose', 'White'.
'Candypops Blue' - Grandiflora
'Carpet Series' - Multiflora, specifically 'Bluelace',
'Flame', 'Lilac', 'Mix', 'Pink', 'Red', 'Rose',
'Salmon' (Vis. 3), 'Sky Blue', 'True Blue', 'White'.
'Cascade Double' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Pink'.
'Celebrity Series' - 'Chiffon Morn'(Vis. 4).
'Neon' (Vis. 5).
'Pink Morn' (Vis. 6).
'Red Morn' (Vis. 7).
'Sky Blue' (Vis. 8).
'Challenger Mix' - Grandiflora
'Daddy Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Blue',
'Orchid', 'Peppermint', 'Sugar'.
'Dreams' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Mix', 'Neon
Rose', 'Pink' (Vis. 9), 'Salmon', 'White'.
'Eagle' - Grandiflora, 'Mix', 'Pastel Pink', 'Pink',
'Red Star', 'Salmon'.
'Falcon Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Coral',
'Lilac' (Vis. 10), 'Mid Blue', 'Mix', 'Pastel Salmon',
'Red', 'Rose'.
'Fantasy Series' - Multiflora. (Vis. 11).
'Flash Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Blue',
'Pink', 'Red', 'White'.
'Happiness' - Grandiflora
'Highlight Mix' - Grandiflora
'Horizon Series' - Multiflora
'Madness Series' - Multiflora, specifically 'Midnight',
'Plum', 'Plum Crazy' (Vis. 13), 'Rose', 'Sheer',
'Simply', 'Sugar', 'Summer'(Vis. 19), 'White'.
'Lilac'.
'Madness Series' (Doubles) - Multiflora, specifically
'Red/White', 'Rose', 'Salmon', 'Sheer'.
'Merlin Series' - Multiflora
'Pink' (Vis. 14).
'White Improved' (Vis. 15).
'Pearls Series' - Multiflora
'Picotee Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Blue',
'Mix', 'Red'.
'Primetime Series'
'Blue' (Vis. 16).
'Pink', 'Rose' (Vis. 17).
'Prism Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Bright
Rose', 'Lavender', 'Salmon', 'White'.
'Purple Wave' - Multiflora (Vis. 18).
'Spring Fever Series' - Multiflora, specifically
'Pastel Mix', 'Salmon', 'White'.
'Storm' - Grandiflora, 'Lavender' (Vis. 12), 'Salmon'.
'Supermagic' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Pink', 'Sky',
'White'.
'Telstar' - Grandiflora
'Ultra Series' - Grandiflora, specifically 'Blue',
'Crimson Star', 'Light Pink', 'Pink', 'Red Star',
'Salmon'. 'Sky Blue'.

References for Cultivars: Lowell C. Ewart, 1997 Flower
Seed Trials, Michigan State University.


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