Supertunias Grow Big

This is perhaps the greatest petunia ever invented. One single plant will grow six feet across or more by the end of August. It never needs to be pinched back. Just water and fertilize occasionally for a beautiful carpet of pink. And, get a sneak preview of a gorgeous new cascading flower.

Produced by K-State Research and Extension. To learn more, visit our website at: http://www.kansasgreenyards.org

Transcript:
Supertunias Grow Big

This is perhaps the greatest petunia ever invented. This one plant, by the end of August, may be six feet across -- or more. It only grows six to eight inches tall and is solid. Even in 100 degree heat, without being deadheaded or pinched -- just watered and fertilized regularly (but not much fertilizer – just a little bit) it will be a solid carpet of pink.

This is called Supertunia Vista Bubble Gum. If you go to a garden center, just tell them you want the Bubble Gum Petunia. They should really know what you’re talking about. But, because it’s grown from a cutting, it’s going to be a little more expensive in the garden center than the ones sold in cell packs. When you know one is going to get six feet across, you’ll only need one of these for about every six of a normal petunia you’d plant. So you’re buying fewer plants. One or two of these in a pot on the patio, or spaced two feet apart in a garden is a spectacular color spot.

The last thing I want to leave you with is this flower here. It doesn’t look like much. It was just potted up yesterday from a cutting like this one. And, here it is, it’s already starting to bloom. This one is called Snow Princess. It’s a groundcover type. Or, in a hanging basket it will weep, or in a windowbox it will cascade over, and it will spread on the ground. This will have very large, gorgeous, pure white flowers, a solid color, and you won’t see a leaf in it. But, you won’t be able to buy it until next year – a year from now. What you need to know is, these are the sort of things we trial here to make sure it’s going to work. It will take our heat and wind in the Kansas summer in July and August. We’re always looking to the future so breeders from around the world send us plants here. We trial it out so we can tell you, ‘yes, this is a good one. Or no, don’t waste your time or your money, or emotional energy on it – it doesn’t grow here.’ It’s one to watch for next year, but don’t look for it this year, and that’s Snow Princess. It’s going to be a gorgeous plant. But again, I urge you to look at the Prairie Star list and buy those ones that are research tested to grow well in Kansas.

This feature story prepared with Alan Stevens, retired Kansas State University Research and Extension State Leader, Horticulture. For more information, visit your local county extension office or visit our website at KansasGreenYards.org.