Petunia
Petunia: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Garden petunias are mainly horticultural hybrids grouped under the name Petunia × hybrida. They belong to the nightshade family and originate from South American species. Biologically they are cold sensitive plants, often perennial in favourable conditions, but usually grown as annuals in gardens that experience frost. The name petunia now covers a wide choice of selections whose growth habits and flowers serve different ornamental roles.The growth is herbaceous, branched and fairly flexible. Green leaves range from oval to elongated and are often hairy, giving them a slightly sticky feel. Some forms build a rounded mound, while others spread their stems or trail downwards. This changes their effect in a garden. A compact petunia can punctuate a border, whereas a trailing selection can extend over the edge of a window box or hanging basket.The flowers have a funnel-shaped corolla with petals joined at the base. Single forms show this opening clearly,…
