Petunia: what kind of plant is it, what does it look like?

Petunia is one of Russia's most popular garden flowers. Its growing season lasts until the first frost and it is used to decorate flowerbeds, garden plots, and flowerpots. The flower is the first to appear at kiosks for sale. Gardeners typically begin growing petunias from seedlings. Many are familiar with this plant, but everyone knows its structure, characteristics, and care requirements. Even experienced gardeners can make mistakes that lead to the death of the flower.

Description of the plant

Petunia is a member of the Solanaceae family, comprising shrubs, subshrubs, and herbaceous flowers. All are perennial. Furthermore, the plant thrives alongside other plants.

The root system is branched but short. Therefore, shallow pots can be used for indoor cultivation. The stems are green, with alternately arranged leaves.

This well-known garden plant has funnel-shaped flowers, the opening of which widens toward the top. The corolla is formed by petals, smooth or pleated, with edges of varying shapes. They can be smooth, corrugated, or wavy. The diameter of a petunia bud can vary from 5 to 16 cm, depending on the plant species and cultivar.

When it comes to color, the flower offers a striking palette of shades. The base color can range from white to pink and purple, or from lavender to almost black. It gains even more appeal from the additional coloring of the border, veins, or blotches. Hybrid petunias are also available.

They are more resistant to the vagaries of nature, and are distinguished by their lush growth, bright colours and long growing season.

Characteristics of the flower

Describing petunias in general is quite difficult, as there are various forms of this plant. They differ from each other. This flower can be tall, short, or semi-tall. Understanding its varieties and their characteristics is essential to knowing which one is suitable for a flower garden, cottage, orchard, or flowerbed in a specific region.

Petunias come in small and large flower bud sizes. The small-flowered variety is a hybrid whose main characteristics include tall growth and profuse blooms. The petals are solid in color, sometimes with spots of other shades. The growing season for this variety runs from mid-June until the first frost.

If you're looking for flowers to create patterns or compositions, this plant variety isn't suitable—its vigorous, spreading growth won't allow for that. This petunia is an excellent choice for creating individual areas in larger flowerbeds.

The plant is propagated by seed: seeds are planted in boxes in the first month of spring. Picking is essential. To prevent the flowers from dying, they should be kept in a ventilated area at a temperature of 18-20 degrees Celsius. In a designated area, they should be kept outdoors and well watered.

Multiflora petunias are easy to care for and thrive in sunny areas. However, some shade is fine. They don't require any special soil conditions. These flowers are resistant to rain and wind. They can be grown in pots on a veranda or balcony, or planted in the ground.

Large-flowered petunias are characterized by their short stature and large flowers. They are best grown in pots. One subspecies is the double-flowered variety. These plants thrive in warmth and require specific growing conditions—changes in weather conditions can kill them if planted outdoors. Therefore, flowers of this variety are an excellent choice for decorating a balcony. They are very beautiful, and the buds can reach 12 cm in diameter. A characteristic feature is their sterility. The buds contain only stamens, meaning pollination is impossible.

These three types belong to the artisanal type of crops.

Floribunda is a cross between the multi-flowered and small-flowered petunias. The flower diameter is approximately 7 cm. This variety tolerates precipitation and even light frosts. It is suitable for sowing in large areas.

Trailing petunias are best suited for landscaping balconies and other indoor spaces. This plant is characterized by large shoots and covered, drooping flowers. They require constant warmth and require specific watering and care requirements.

This flower will be a beautiful addition to any building. They grow quickly, filling their container.