For those with hanging baskets or container gardens, trailing plants adorned with flowers are ideal. Unfortunately, plants like begonias may struggle under full sunlight in warmer climates, causing your displays to diminish as summer progresses. However, with the right selection, your garden can thrive throughout the season regardless of the heat or sun exposure. Petunias, particularly those with a trailing or cascading growth pattern, are among the best choices for heat and sun tolerance, perfect for spilling over garden walls, containers, and baskets.
Petunias (Petunia x hybrida) are perennials in zones 10 and 11 but are usually grown as warm-season annuals in most USDA zones. When selecting your flowers, remember not all petunias have a trailing habit; opt for cultivars like those in the ‘Flash Mob’ or ‘Avalanche’ groups, renowned for their elegant cascading ability. Million bells (Calibrachoa x hybrida), relatives of true petunias, are also often called trailing petunias. Although they resemble petunias, million bells are generally shorter with smaller flowers. If you mistakenly purchase million bells instead of petunias for your hanging basket, don’t worry; they thrive just as well in the intense summer sun as their larger counterparts.
Caring for Petunias
When adding petunias to your garden, you can choose between transplanting young starts or planting seeds to cultivate the vibrant flowers yourself. Whichever method you choose, ensure you select a cultivar bred for heat tolerance, as many older cultivars lack this trait. Since petunias aren’t very cold-tolerant, wait until the soil has warmed to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit before planting them outdoors.
After planting, provide ample fertilizer and water. Petunias grown in containers and baskets need more water than those grown in the ground, and the same goes for fertilization. Weekly fertilizing is especially crucial for cascading petunias. While regular watering is essential, avoid waterlogged soil, which can be detrimental to your petunias before you can enjoy them.
Deadheading your petunias is also important. This helps encourage more blooms. Be sure to remove the spent flower as well as the seeds below the petals. With proper care, your petunias should flourish and bloom all summer, extending into autumn.
Designing Hanging Baskets and Planters with Petunias
Trailing or cascading petunias are excellent for providing the “spiller” element in the classic “thriller, filler, and spiller” container garden formula. Pair them with vibrant gladioli or other bold, sun-loving flowers, and you’ll have a stunning planter. In hanging baskets, cascading petunias can stand out on their own, but they also pair well with other plants.
While it might be tempting to overcrowd your basket or container to make it look lush immediately, it’s crucial to give your young plants enough space to grow. Avoid squeezing more than about five plants into a 1-foot diameter container. Your fast-growing petunias will soon fill in, providing you with a basket overflowing with colorful blooms.
