Petunias
Petunias are an easy to grow annual plant that can add a variety of colors to your garden, yard, or patio. These colorful, yet functional plants also provide a variety of natural benefits to your backyard, garden, or outdoor space!
A member of the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants, and tobacco, petunias can be divided into two main categories:
- Grandiflora which offers larger flowers. These plants should be protected from heavy rain and wind, as the flowers tend to become unsightly if left out in a storm.
- Multiflora produces an abundance of smaller, more durable flowers.
The many variations of the petunia plant offer gardeners an assortment of choices for hanging baskets, potted plantings, and even in the garden as a natural form of pest control. Petunias can help control aphids, tomato worms, and several other garden pests, naturally, and without the use of chemical pesticides. As an added benefit, petunias help to attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the bright colors!
Gardeners may also choose to plant petunias as a companion plant in the garden to benefit peppers, cabbage, and tomatoes.
Petunias enjoy full to partial sun depending on the variety you choose. Care should be given not to over water these plants. In order to continue to produce blooms, many varieties of petunias require deadheading, or removing the old flowers. Other varieties, especially Multiflora petunias, are more carefree and don’t require quite so much attention.
With warmer weather approaching in the coming months, gardeners will have a wide variety of petunias to choose from at local greenhouses and garden centers. Offering vibrant colors, as well as a variety of benefits in the garden, these cheerful flowers are hard to resist!
Below you can see a few of my own petunia plants from last year’s growing season. Enjoy and thanks for visiting!
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