Here are a few further distinctions between Wave petunias and Supertunias.
Colors available
Supertunias and Wave petunias come in a wide range of hues. Supertunias, the more varied of the two plant species, exhibit unusual flower color patterns.
While Supertunias may come in a hue called “raspberry blush,” which contains splotches of purple and scarlet in the same bloom, Wave petunia types mostly come in standard colors (red, white, blue, salmon, etc.).
Both Supertunias and Wave petunias provide excellent color possibilities overall. If you can’t locate a hue in one series of petunias, it’s frequently available in another.
Blooming
If you provide the right fertilizer and irrigation, Wave petunias and Supertunias will both grow for you all summer long.
Supertunias will typically bloom more aggressively, sometimes to the point where the plant’s green foliage is hardly noticeable. Wave petunias can also grow to produce a lot of blooms, but not as many.
Size of flowers
The blooms of the Wave petunia kind will be extremely similar to, if not exactly the same size as Supertunias.
While Tidal Wave and Easy Wave petunias have bigger blooms that are more equivalent to Supertunias’ blossoms, Shock Wave petunias will have smaller blooms.
Growing habits
The prolific spreaders known as wave petunias. For this reason, they are frequently utilized as a groundcover. Their long vines could become straggly if they aren’t routinely pruned back.
As far as 3–4 feet in some situations, some Supertunias, including those in the Supertunia Vista series, will spread similarly to how long a Wave petunia does. Supertunias will also significantly mound and can reach heights of 2 feet.
Fertilizer requirements
Supertunias and Wave petunias will both gain a lot from fertilization all summer long. Because of the quality of Supertunias, they might be a little more understanding if you neglect to fertilize or water them.
Are petunia and supertunia the same thing?
The Tidal WaveTM series of WaveTM petunias can grow up to 22 inches tall, however they were primarily developed to be used as ground covers when they were first launched in the early 1990s. They have the Tidal WaveTM, a large flower with higher plants, the Shock WaveTM, a little flower with vivid colors, and the Easy WaveTM, a spreading variant. The WaveTM Petunia is best utilized as a ground cover because it grows from seed and forms a large, dense root ball that could be difficult for baskets and containers. Long stemmed WaveTM petunias may become overgrown, have bare stems, delayed flowering, and need to be pruned back in the middle to end of the summer in order to promote new growth and flowers.
A more recent variety of petunias called Proven Winners Supertunias come in both single and double blooms with a vast array of colors. Cuttings rather than seeds are used to grow Petunia Supertunia. Supertunias do not produce seed because they do not originate from seeds. Because all of the energy is directed toward flower creation rather than seed production, the Proven Winners petunias are more floriferous. With the exception of Vistas petunias, which have a mounding habit and can grow to be 24 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide, Petunia Supertunia typically stand around 6- 10 inches tall and can spread/trail up to 24-36 inches. Supertunias have shorter stems than WaveTM Petunias, more leaves and flowers, and higher heat and humidity tolerance throughout the sweltering summer months. In comparison to WavesTM, Supertunia petunias are more suited for containers and hanging baskets since they do not produce a root ball that is as large and dense and will remain longer in the container. Additionally, Proven Winners petunias spill less in pots and baskets, making for a more attractive flower arrangement.
We offer a few watering and fertilizer suggestions to ensure that your flowers perform at their peak and endure far into the fall. We advise providing the appropriate amount of feed in addition to daily watering as needed for all annuals and potted plants. We advise feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer once a week while watering often during the hot summer months. Your plants could require a minor “haircut” to maintain their finest appearance during the summer. You could discover that hanging baskets only only a little trimming at the bottom of the pot. You could discover that shaving off a few inches from combination planters can give them a new look. I can’t stress this enough: treat your plants with the same respect you would do a living thing. A plant requires frequent feeding and watering much like a human being does to stay healthy.
What varieties of Supertunia are there?
Period. These stunning plants contain flowers that range in color from the purest white to a rich, royal purple, and they are self-cleaning and floriferous. Compared to other petunias on the market today, the single, double, mini, Vista, or Mini VistaTM Supertunia are a league apart.
The ideal petunias for hanging baskets are which ones?
Two further popular varieties of petunias are Cascadia and Surfinia. These have a trailing habit, striking colors, and an abundance of flowers. Typically, they feature unusually colored broad flowers similar to regular petunias. These petunias have a lot of fascinating veining and shading. They spread or trail to a height of around 18 inches and are also simple to maintain. The window boxes and hanging baskets are the ideal places to plant these petunias.
Petunia ‘Phantom’
The petunia cultivar “Phantom” is particularly striking, with velvety black blossoms that mature to have yellow demarcations on each petal, giving them a starry look. The growth habit of this cultivar is erect and mounding.
Petunia ‘Rose Vein Velvet’
One of the greatest petunias to start from seed is reportedly “Rose Vein Velvet.” On trailing stems that can reach a length of 1m, multitudes of the pink, veined blooms are produced. An excellent cultivar for window boxes and hanging baskets.
Petunia ‘Black Satin’
The lavish petunia “Black Satin” has aubergine-colored flowers with a satiny finish. This small cultivar contrasts dramatically with light and vibrantly colored bedding plants.
Petunia ‘Bingo Red’
The Bingo line of compact, upright plants, which come in a variety of colors, includes the petunia variety known as “Bingo Red.” They are perfect for planting in little pots that may be scattered around because they are compact.
Petunia ‘Priscilla’
Petunia cultivars including “Priscilla” (shown), “Candy Floss,” and “Susanna” are part of the Tumbelina group. They feature larger, double, ruffled blooms than other trailing kinds.
Petunia ‘Cascadias Rim Magenta’
One of the Cascadia petunias, “Cascadias Rim Magenta,” is distinguished by its tendency to trail. They grow beautifully in window boxes and pots, or they can spill over the sides of hanging baskets. “Cascadias Indian Summer” and “Cascadias Rim Violet” are two other Cascadia petunias to grow.
The best supertunia is which one?
How can you determine which of the several colorful Supertunias, among other stunning flowers, is perfect for you? Supertunias are all varieties of petunia, although they differ greatly in size and behavior. Their names can provide insight into how they develop. To make your decision easier, let’s examine each variety in more detail.
Supertunia Vista
The word “Vista in these varieties of Supertunias indicates how much ground they cover. The ideal kind for growing in a landscape is Supertunia Vista. With a single 4-potted plant growing 12–24 tall and spreading up to 4′ across in a single season, they are some of the biggest petunias you will find. In this video, you can see how huge they can get. Supertunia Vista petunias are the way to go if you want to add a lot of color for a little money.
Petunias from the Supertunia Vista variety can also be grown in large pots and hanging baskets. You should be careful not to plant too many of them in the container because they are so big and powerful, and you should pair them with other strong plants. Sweet potato vines, Diamond Mountain euphorbia, and Proven Winners sweet alyssum cultivars make excellent companions.
Supertunia Mini Vista
Choose Supertunia Mini Vista types if you like the way Supertunia Vista petunias appear but don’t have much area to fill. The bright, neat edging around the front of the border created by these mounding to gently spreading petunias looks lovely without getting too tall or wide to block your walkway. They look stunning planted on their own in a hanging basket or patio pot. They do not blend as well with other flowers in container recipes because of their dense growth.
Supertunia Mini Vista petunias can spread out up to 2′ wide and grow 6–12 tall. They produce smaller flowers than ordinary petunias, yet throughout the entire growing season, colorful blooms totally cover their foliage. They resemble calibrachoa blooms in appearance, but there is a key distinction between the two: petunias thrive considerably better in the ground than calibrachoa. Superbell Mini Vista petunias are a great alternative if you want to plant Superbells in the ground because of their attractive appearance. View of Supertunia Mini Vista Violet Star in our landscape is shown below.
Supertunia Trailing Varieties
Supertunia Trailing petunias are a fantastic option if you want to develop a hanging basket, deck, or window box with very long, trailing stems. This breed of petunia stays little (around 4-8) but develops long branches that, by the end of the growing season, will be at least 3′ long. Even photographs of well-grown plants with 5–6′-long trails have been captured. Weekly feedings will encourage this kind of growth. While their flowers are smaller than those of Supertunia Mini Vista petunias, the stems are entirely covered in vibrant blooms.
Supertunia Charm Varieties
From the name “Charm,” you might infer that these petunias are small and incredibly adorable. Supertunia Charm types are perfect if you want to add a burst of color here and there in your landscape among other plants, are utilizing smaller upright containers or hanging baskets, or all of the above.
Each plant produces a substantial pile of lush green foliage that is entirely engulfed in tiny, intensely colored blossoms. It normally spreads 18–24 broad and grows 6–12 tall. Supertunia Daybreak Charm in our greenhouse can be seen in more detail here. Try growing petunias with the Supertunia Charm if you’ve had trouble with Superbells. They may be simpler to cultivate, but they will offer you the same appearance.
Standard Supertunia Varieties
As you suspected, The remaining Supertunia petunia types fall under this umbrella category. These plants are listed without further descriptive words like “Vista” or “Charm.” For instance, one of our most well-liked petunia varieties is Supertunia BordeauxTM. Check it out in this video with some lovely alyssum from the Snow Princess that is growing in our garden.
In comparison to Supertunia Vista petunias, standard Supertunia petunias are fluffy, mounded to spreading plants that grow swiftly. Typically, they spread out 18–24 broad and grow 6–12 tall. Their blossoms are the size you would anticipate a typical petunia flower to be, and they are comparable in size to the Vistas. They feature the widest color range of any variety of Supertunia, and some have double flowers. They come in plain, patterned, and veined variations. They thrive in containers but also grow well in natural settings. They are simple to combine with the majority of other flower varieties in container recipes because of their ordinary vitality.
You can pick any variety of Supertunia petunia, and they will all benefit from the same quantity of sunlight, water, and food.
Sun
The ideal amount of sunlight for petunias is six or more hours per day, ideally in the late afternoon. Even while they can survive with less sunlight, they won’t flower as frequently. The general guideline for petunias is that more sun is better.
WaterPetunias benefit from regular wetness. Do not allow them to become so dry that they begin to wilt. Growing petunias is simple with drip irrigation or self-watering containers, and you will be rewarded with amazing growth and floral power.
Feeding
Petunias consume a lot of food. For optimal blossom power, it is advised to feed plants with water-soluble plant food once a week or every third time you water with continuous release plant food. Try feeding your petunias more frequently if you notice that they aren’t producing many flowers or are starting to get stringy. To encourage new growth, you can also give them a gentle trim a few times per season.
Deadheading
The good news about Supertunia petunias is right here! Supertunias don’t require deadheading like many other petunias do, so they bloom continuously throughout the season. They shed cleanly since their blossoms are self-cleaning, and the plant won’t stop blooming to set seed. One of the main benefits of selecting Supertunia petunias over other products is this. Such magnificence with very little effort!
by Cynthia W. Mueller, Galveston County Master Gardener
With more options now available at nearby nurseries, wave petunias, a favorite of gardeners everywhere, are still creating an impact in the garden. Because these low-growing “spreaders” are extremely low-maintenance and can tolerate extremes of heat and cold, rain and humidity, millions of these super performers, introduced by Ball Seed Company, are planted by gardeners and experts alike. In Texas’ milder regions, flowers can bloom profusely long into the fall and perhaps even through the entire winter.
These types no longer have many of the issues that were present in older petunia strains, which were occasionally too big, too ruffled, too sensitive, and too susceptible to disease to be useful in all but the most favored settings.
Wave types don’t require pinching back or deadheading like traditional petunias because they can take care of themselves. Simply feed them well with an all-purpose plant meal once every few weeks, water them, and observe them flourish.
The Ball Company claims that the Wave petunia family is currently offered in five distinct series and a wide range of colors. The Wave, Tidal Wave, Easy Wave, Double Wave, and Shock Wave series are now available in noticeable Pink Pots at your neighborhood home improvement or garden center.
Here are some ideas for using Wave petunias to create a style statement without putting in a lot of work:
- Make a Promenade. Make a warm, vibrant welcome by filling a container with any of the fantastic colors of Shock Wave petunias, like the vivid “Rose” type. Shock Wave petunias pack the area with a ton of tiny blooms, making them the ideal choice for containers and small-space gardens.
- Outdoor chandeliers.
A basket of Easy Wave petunias in a single color set on a conventional pedestal would provide a classy focal point. Easy Wave petunias make the ideal chandelier of petals by piling up and outward. To create a distinct, upscale space, place the pedestal inside the landscape along a walk or place two at any entry.
- Rise to Heaven on Stairs. Pick any color you like. Create a heavenly corridor by lining a path with Wave, Tidal Wave, or Easy Wave petunias; the enormous blooms soon fill in. One strong color might be used, or the colors can be graduated from top to bottom. Space the young plants closer together for a more professional appearance so they can weave around one another and produce a dense mass of color.
- Pots in Spots With pots of Wave petunias, you may provide immediate interest and ongoing color to the garden or perennial border. A trendy design that adds punch and highlights any area of your yard is created by an overflowing pot of a single color, especially when perennials are not in bloom.
- Goodness, what beautiful flower balls. By making holes in the edges of a cocoa-fiber basket and stuffing them with baby Double Wave petunia plants, you can create a huge globe of color. On top and around the sides of the basket, space the plants a few inches apart. From the center, the petunias will expand and swell to form a big, luscious ball of color.
- pots of power You get a powerful effect from a concentration of only one plant in just one color. The porch’s extra-large pot is undoubtedly an attractive draw. You can increase drainage, make your container simpler to move, and use less potting mix by filling the bottom of the container with lightweight materials. Styrofoam packing peanuts, plastic water bottles, and plastic nursery pots can all be reused in this manner to fill empty space.
- Front Appeal Want to improve the curb appeal of your garden without having to completely redo it or break the bank? Petunias from the Tidal Wave collection, especially Tidal Wave Hot Pink, can save the day! These spreading petunias can be planted in a mass or arranged in stripes, borders, or clusters. This easy-to-care-for, rapidly expanding crowd-pleaser will make a striking impression.
- Blend It Up. The Shock Wave and Easy Wave series are offered in a wide variety of stunning single colors as well as ready-made, custom blends. Simply purchase a pack, flat, or more of one of these lovely color combinations from your neighborhood garden center, plant them, and you’ll instantly look like a pro at garden design!
- Don’t Barricade Me In. Unless it’s in a bouquet! Petunias called Tidal Wave practically sprout before your eyes, producing a floral hedge with a plethora of Cherry, Hot Pink, Purple, or Silver blossoms. Tidal Wave petunias will grow an additional two to three feet upward like a vine if planted in a small area with additional support, like a fence or a shrub.
- Follow the flow. For a sparkling look, combine a rainbow of hues and put Wave petunias in a sea. Make a river or a tiny stream of flowers that runs the length of the yard. Just visualize the blooms as smoothly rising bands of free-flowing color around your yard.
All Wave petunias prefer sunny locations, ideally with at least six hours of direct sunlight, but keep them from drying out. In particular when grown in containers, wave petunias require regular feedings of an all-purpose fertilizer because they are hungry plants.