by J.B. Doyle

Created on: July 10, 2011

Nurseries and gardening centers nearly always have petunias readily available. These easy-to-care-for flowers are immensely popular and versatile annuals. Hundreds of varieties of petunias exist; each variety falls into one of four categories. A rainbow of colors can be found within each of the four groupings, which are categorized by size and patterns of growth. Purchased seedlings will usually have an indication the category in which they fall.

Grandiflora, the most common and popular category of petunias boast flowers that are three to four inches across, and are available in singular or wavy double forms. Most grandiflora petunias grow in mounds that are 12 to 15 inches in height. Multiflora petunias produce smaller flowers, but more blossoms. These are primarily singular in form. Milliflora, as the name suggests, are even more compact plants which produce large amounts of lowers that are about one inch in size. Finally, groundcover petunias spread quickly with proper watering and fertilizer, and reach a maximum of five to six inches in height.

Planting

Petunias should not be placed in the ground until the danger of frost has passed and the soil is at least sixty degrees. Seeds can either be sewn directly into the ground and covered with a thin layer of topsoil or planted from seedlings, which are commonly available at plant nurseries and garden centers. Petunias can also be placed in ground or hanging containers.

Spacing

Spacing depends on the category into which petunias fall; grandiflora and multiflora petunias should be placed at least a foot apart when planted in full sunlight. Shadier areas will yield smaller plants, so they can be planted about eight inches apart in that condition. Groundcover petunias need at least eighteen inches between plants, while milliflora petunias can be placed six inches apart. Container petunias can be placed closer together to achieve an attractive arrangement from the beginning.

Location

All petunias need five to six hours of direct sun daily; the more sun  that is available, the better the performance of the petunia plant. The amount of sunlight is directly related to the amount of flowers produced.

Soil

These annuals will grow best in well-drained soil. Compost, manure, and peat moss give a good boost to bad soil and will help petunias thrive. These products can be mixed into any type of soil, from heavy clay to sandy, with a garden fork or tiller. At the time of planting, a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10

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