Petunia Night Sky Series is an amazing collection of flowers that come in a handful of colors now. The absence of pigment in the form of a dot makes this flower so starry unique. The petunias with the “dotted” or “spotted” petals have become the new fad in annual gardens.
Petunia Scientific Name
There are 20 species of Petunias so some of the more popular petunia scientific names are that of Petunia x atkinsiana, integrifolia, axillaris and exserta.
They are highly sought after and many nurseries sell out of them within a few weeks of offering them for sale. Sometimes you can find petunia seeds for sale.
Petunia Cold Tolerance
Petunia Cold Hardiness
Petunias are perennials in USDA hardy zones 9 – 11, but are grown as annuals everywhere else in the U.S. They prefer night temperatures between 57 and 65 F. Petunias can tolerate 39 F (4 C.) and cannot survive winters of freezing temperatures.
Night Sky Petunia Care
Sunlight
Petunias need at least 5 or 6 hours of good sunlight; they’ll perform even better when located in full sun all day. The more shade they receive, the fewer flowers they’ll produce.
Is Petunia Night Sky a Perennial or Annual?
Petunias are perennial, although most bedding types are grown as annuals from seed each year. The trailing varieties, such as Surfinias, are perennial and are grown from cuttings or new plants.
When can Petunias be planted?
They can be planted outside from early May, once all danger of frost has passed. We recommend planting three or four plugs in a 30cm diameter basket or pot for a full display come June. Plant in a hole deep enough to accommodate the plug. Use freshly prepared soil or a balance potting compost when planting.
Water
You will probably need to water the hanging baskets every day. Hanging baskets containing annuals such as petunias will need more water than houseplants. They will also need more fertilizer but if your pot feels heavy, you should have sufficient water for the time being.
Petunia Night Sky Fertilizer
Garden petunias like a balanced fertilizer such as 8-8-8, 10-10-10, or 12-12-12. In early to mid-July, start using a liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.
Deadheading
The occasional deadheading will provide an even bigger boost to flower production. Once the flower begins to fade, remove it, along with the small stem that attaches it to the plant. However, deadheading is not necessary because petunias are prolific bloomers.
