Supertunia Bordeaux. Photo Credit: Proven Winners
Supertunias aren’t your old school petunias. They are extremely vigorous growers and bloomers and have become the most popular petunia for summer into fall color. If you have never grown Supertunias before, you are in for a treat. Now for a little history.
About 20 years ago the wave petunia was developed and was used mostly as a ground cover. They quickly filled up space with their massive root system. But mid season, they got bit leggy and the blooms would get less showy.
Fast forward to 2006, the Supertunia hit the market and are marketed by Proven Winners. These plants are an excellent choice for use in ground plantings, a massive ground cover, or hanging baskets and have a trailing habit with the exception of the Vista series, which have a mounding habit.
Supertunia Vista Bubblegum. Photo Credit: Proven Winners
Supertunia Picasso in Purple. Photo Credit: Proven Winners
Characteristics
Supertunias have show stopping color and look great in landscape beds or containers. They are available in lots of colors, sizes and as single or double blooms and require very little maintenance. They grow around 6 – 10 inches tall and can spread/trail up to 24 – 36 inches. The one exception is Vistas petunias, which have a mounding habit and can get 24 inches tall and 24 – 36 inches wide.
These amazing petunias don’t need deadheading yet still provide color all summer long.
Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Star was voted 2021 Annual of the Year. Photo Credit: Proven Winners
Care Tips
Supertunias aren’t particularly fussy and need little routine maintenance. No matter which type of supertunia petunia you choose, they will require the same amount of sunlight, water and feeding.ddd
SUN – Give them at least 6 or more hours of sunlight per day, preferably afternoon sun. The more sun they get, the stronger the plants will grow and more flowers they will produce.
WATER – Don’t skimp on watering. They thrive with consistent moisture and don’t like drying out or you’ll see wilting.
FEEDING – Supertunias are heavy feeders. When planting, mix continuous release plant food into the soil, then feed every third time you water or once per week with water soluble plant food for maximum flower power.
DEADHEADING – The best news about Supertunias are that you do NOT need to deadhead to keep them blooming all season. Their flowers are self-cleaning, so they shed neatly, and the plant doesn’t go to seed so it puts its energy into blooming.
OCCASIONAL HAIRCUT – By midsummer, Supertunias can benefit from a little trim as they head into the heat of summer. Don’t cut off more than 20% of the plant. If you plant in a container, cut back the longer stems to bring them in line with the others near the bottom of the pot. Repeat this trimming process in late summer or early fall to keep your Supertunias blooming well into the fall months.
If you’re thinking about getting your summer flower garden underway, you can’t go wrong with growing Supertunias….they will reward you with hundreds of blooms! It’s a superior petunia that has distinguishing attributes.
Are you thinking about some new landscaping this year? Whitehouse Landscaping has the horticultural knowledge to make sure the right plants are chosen for the right place insuring your landscape thrives and can be properly maintained. Our design experience in landscaping and hardscaping can create an outdoor space that is beautiful, distinctive, livable and truly sustainable.
Contact Whitehouse Landscaping or call 484-300-4290 to learn more about our services.