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Read descriptions of the petunia classes below, or click on one of the class names to view cultivars. |
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| A palette full of color | ||||
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| The Small | The Tall | The Flowing |
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Field Day - Spring 2002 |
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Class |
Petunia Class Description |
| Click on petunia class below to enter. | |
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The floribunda type resulted from recent hybridization between grandifloras and multifloras. General characteristics fall in between the two in terms of plant growth habit and flower size, but floribunda may offer increased disease resistance. Some authorities think that floribundas are of questionable value because there is little distinction between them and the grandifloras and multifloras. |
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The grandiflora petunia type was developed in early 1950, with the first F1 hybrid grandiflora, 'Ballerina,' introduced in 1952. This type has large showy flowers 3-1/2 to 5 inches in diameter. Cultivars have been developed in a wide range of flower colors and with petals that may have frilled or rounded edges. New cultivars with different-colored veins in the petals have been developed recently. Older cultivars are large plants, but the recent trend is to develop more compact cultivars. Double-flower forms have multipetaled flowers that resemble carnation flowers. These are frequently used in containers because the complex flowers do not hold up well in most garden situations. Traditionally, grandifloras are the best selling petunias, but the flowers do not hold up well under adverse garden conditions in the South. Driving rain and strong wind can tear the petals. In the southern United States, plants are hardy in areas with mild winter conditions; however, a hard frost will kill petunias. There are a number of excellent grandiflora series on the market, including Daddy, Dream, Falcon, Flash, Picotee, and Ultra. |
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Milliflora petunias developed from a chance genetic mutation from Petunia x hybrida, resulting in a true miniature plant. Because they flower quickly on compact plants, they can be used in ways in which traditional types typically cannot be. These plants are ideal for small hanging baskets, mixed-color bowls, strawberry pots, novelty containers, window boxes, or any location where traditional petunias would be too vigorous. |
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The multiflora petunia type was developed in late 1940, with the first F1 hybrid multiflora, 'Comanche,' introduced in 1953. This type has smaller flowers 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, but the flowers are more numerous and withstand adverse weather conditions better than grandifloras do. At one time, this type of petunia was not as popular with consumers as grandifloras because of the small flower size, but breeding developments have improved their acceptance. Multifloras are generally more compact plants that mature faster and are available in a wider range of colors than other petunia types are. As a consequence, multifloras are rapidly becoming popular in the southern United States. Double-flower forms of multifloras are also available. There are a number of excellent multiflora series on the market, including Carpet, Celebrity, Horizon, Merlin, Polo, and Primetime. |
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The spreading type is a new breed of petunia that has more of a tropical nature than other petunia types. They are vigorous, trailing plants that spread like a ground cover and are ideal for hanging baskets, planters, and window boxes. They are everblooming, tender perennials that are tolerant of full southern sun and heat. Spreading types are not well suited for market pack production because they grow quickly and root into adjacent cells. Current cultivars propagated from seed are 'Purple Wave' and 'Pink Wave.' The Cascadia, Supertunia, and Surfinia series are vegetatively propagated types. |
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