- Designed in Japan in the mid-1990s by the Ball Horticultural Company, the "wave petunia" hybrids have caught on among gardeners for their convenient size and vivid colors. Wave petunias are easier to nurture than other petunia hybrids, but, like all petunias, they often struggle during stifling summer months, though they are more tolerant of summer heat than traditional petunias. There are four varieties of wave petunias: the double wave, easy wave, tidal wave and shock wave petunias. Each type has been engineered for specific aesthetic and garden-management purposes.
- The double wave petunia is recognizable for its decorous double flowers that earn its name. More tamped and vigorous than other varieties of the wave group, they are ideal for hanging baskets. The selection of colors ranges from a deep purple to an eggshell white, including seven different hues.
- Easy wave petunias spread thickly in colorful mounds. They are good fits for garden beds and sometimes reach a height of 1 foot and a width of 3 feet. They are available in hot pink, light pink, pastel purple, blue and several polychrome hybrids. The polychrome hybrids include Mix Beachcomber (a combination of purple, pink and white hues), Mix O' Canada (a combination of red and white hues), Mix Tropicana (a combination of white, pink and lavender hues) and Mystic Pink (a combination of light pink hues).
- Tidal wave petunias are appropriately named for their habit of spreading densely while remaining upright. Often, these petunias reach a height of 2 feet and a width of 5 feet. Gardeners use them for floriferous groundcover or for short hedges and they require plenty of room for healthy growth. You can find them in three colors: hot pink, cherry and silver.
- A recent addition to the wave hybrid family, the shock wave petunias have the most restrained growth. They are ideal for small-space garden beds and are available in ivory, pink, purple and rose.
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Wave petunias thrive if placed in sunny spots where they can get at least six hours of sunlight a day and pruned back during hot summer months. From year to year, you should rotate them throughout your garden for optimal growth. When you plant your wave petunias, apply slow-release fertilizer to the area and add soluble fertilizer periodically throughout the summer season.
If well-fed with nutrients and watered once a week, the wave hybrids produce dense splurges of vivid color whether in your garden bed and in a hanging basket. It is also suggested that gardeners avoid soaking foliage before or during nighttime hours to avoid foliar disease.
Comments
kittycooks said
on 11/15/2009 Well written article. Wave petunias are a landscaper's delight as they get so much bang for the buck.