Petunias are one of our more popular bedding plants in the spring. And for good reason - there are many forms and colors to chose from. Here are some petunia classes, series names and a brief description of their growth habit and garden performance.

• Multiflora large flower size (3 1/2 inch); wet, humid, rainy conditions; good flower coverage; attractive, compact growth habit. Popular series names include Primetime, Horizon, Carpet, and Merlin.

• Grandiflora - striking colors; weather tolerant; multitude large blooms; growth habit can be irregular, plants may appear to be stressed late in the season; good choice for containers or window boxes. Series names to look for include Ultra, Aladdin (new) Picotee, and Dreams.

• Trailing - a new type of petunia now available in the United States that has been very popular in Europe and Japan; free-flowering, vigorous, growth habit produces three to four foot cascades of summer-long color in hanging baskets and window boxes. These petunias are grown from rooted cuttings instead of from seed.

• Spreading - Purple Wave is a 1995 All-American Selections award winner; produces large (two-three inch) blooms, free flowering, deep. burgundy to purple color, superior summer stress tolerance, never gets over four inches tall giving it a ground cover growth habit; also excellent for hanging baskets. Looked great in 1994 Texas A&M Bedding Plant Garden Performance Trials at Overton.

Petunias are one of our more popular bedding plants in the spring. And for good reason - there are many forms and colors to chose from. Here are some petunia classes, series names and a brief description of their growth habit and garden performance.

Multiflora large flower size (3 1/2 inch); wet, humid, rainy conditions; good flower coverage; attractive, compact growth habit. Popular series names include Primetime, Horizon, Carpet, and Merlin.

Grandiflora - striking colors; weather tolerant; multitude large blooms; growth habit can be irregular, plants may appear to be stressed late in the season; good choice for containers or window boxes. Series names to look for include Ultra, Aladdin (new) Picotee, and Dreams.

Trailing - a new type of petunia now available in the United States that has been very popular in Europe and Japan; free-flowering, vigorous, growth habit produces three to four foot cascades of summer-long color in hanging baskets and window boxes. These petunias are grown from rooted cuttings instead of from seed.

Spreading - Purple Wave is a 1995 All-American Selections award winner; produces large (two-three inch) blooms, free flowering, deep. burgundy to purple color, superior summer stress tolerance, never gets over four inches tall giving it a ground cover growth habit; also excellent for hanging baskets. Looked great in 1994 Texas A&M Bedding Plant Garden Performance Trials at Overton.

Ann Rogers, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service