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Modern Petunia Varieties: No Longer Just the Pinkest Pink Flower

Wait! Before you skip over this post because it’s about petunias and “petunias are boring, old-fashioned, plants for boring, old-fashioned people,” I want to share some of what I learned from touring the California Spring Trials, also known as Fashion Week for Plants. Petunias are so much more than The World’s Pinkest Pink flowers.

Update: this article was posted last year when these petunia varieties were previewed, but now they should be widely available in garden centers.Modern Petunias in Pink and Yellow Stripes

While you will still find overflowing baskets of candy-pink petunias at the exit of every Wal-Mart, plant breeders have spent many years researching, growing, and testing annual flowing plants to come up with the next big thing. So, even if petunias are not really your thing, have a read through some of what the brilliant minds behind them have been working on in hopes of launching modern petunia varieties that will win you over.This list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

The Spring Trials are where growers and breeders of flowering plants open up their doors to show off the newest and best of flowers. I spent six days this April traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco to visit over 25 of the world’s most prominent breeders, growers, educators, brokers, and marketers, to see what’s new in floriculture.National Garden Bureau

The trip was organized by the National Garden Bureau and All-America Selections, who bring a diverse group of gardening writers to peek behind the scenes of the industry. You can follow the tour on social media by searching for #NGBPlantNerds on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You will notice plenty of pictures of me and the other Plant Nerds looking at flowers and traveling the coast (once by helicopter!).NGB Plant Nerds

I attended the Ball Spring Trials for one day last year, but this year I went on the full meal deal. The California Spring Trials used to be a true demonstration of side-by-side growing trials of new varieties. Over the years, the event has become less about testing and more about showcasing the best and hottest new introductions using elaborate displays of picture-perfect plants. Given the long-time popularity of petunias in every garden center and big box store, you can imagine that there were hundreds of petunias to see.This list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

After the first day, my eyes glazed over when I saw a petunia. After three days I started having PTSD (Petunia Traumatic Stress Disorder). By Day Six, I needed a serious petunia detox. Now that I have come down from Petunia Overload, I’ve taken some time to go through my notes and photos, and I have some real gems to share.

Modern Petunia Varieties Worth A Second Look

Petunia “Night Sky”This list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

I wrote about “Night Sky” petunias last year after seeing them at the Ball Spring Trials and seeing their cult-like following on the internet.This list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

This year they have come up with a new pink version, but I must say that I still prefer the original deep purple blooms. Which do you prefer?

CrazytuniaThis list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

Then there were the Crazytunias with fun and funky flower patterns like “Blackberry Cheesecake”Crazytunia

and “Frisky Purple.”

Surprise Petunias

Surprise petunias from Dummen Orange grow up and out, creating a waterfall of color. They had some lovely varieties as well, such asSurprise petunia

Petunia “Starfish”,This list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

Petunia “Magenta Halo,”This list of Modern Petunia Varieties is amazing

and Petunia “Cappucino.”

SuperCal Petunia

These petunias look like any other until the rain falls. That’s when they really shine. Check out this video I took of a rain trial demonstration at Sakata.

Petunia Evening Scentsation

Scentsation petunia

Petunia Evening Scentsation is a 2017 AAS award winner for its lovely fragrance and stunning color. Evening Scentsation’s fragrance has notes of hyacinth, sweet honey and rose. As the name implies, the scent is stronger in the evening hours, though it can be experienced throughout the day as well.

Wave PetuniasWave petunias

If you are looking for a groundcover full of color, then Wave is your choice. They are easy to grow and spread up to 4 feet, making them perfect for low-maintenance landscaping.Wave Petunias

I’m curious to know what you think about petunias now. Are they still old-fashioned, boring plants or will you be looking for these modern petunia varieties for your garden?

 

Comments

  1. I have gorgeous fushia petunia’s that r full and thick! Would love to try the new petunia’s. I’m in Pennsylvania, and where can I get them here?

    Reply
  2. Ah, the petunia. I grew up helping Mom deadhead her petunias every night after dinner til my fingers were sticky. Today, I swoon over color-rich petunias at the garden market in May, but I know that come July, they’ll be a frustrating and expensive leggy plant disaster. What is the secret to sustaining gorgeous thick mounds of petunia color all summer – without deadheading??

    Reply
  3. I live in Stockton CA tried finding night sky last year couldn’t find any. Can you tell me who sale them
    Thank you
    Debbie

    Reply
  4. I love petunias! The offer so much color all the time and are very versatile. They go with any other variety and are easy to please. These new varieties are stunning! I live in Canada so new varieties are very slow at emerging into the market, but will enjoy looking at the photos of what is out there.

    Reply

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