Re: [SG] petunias
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] petunias
- From: C* P* <E*@AOL.COM>
- Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 23:47:48 EDT
In a message dated 5/21/99 9:35:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Betbarr@AOL.COM
writes:
<< Supertunias, integrifolia and Wave petunias have hit the markets around
here
with a bang. Maybe we're getting a poor selection, but I find the raucous
colors of glitzy pink and screaming fuschia difficult to combine with any
thing, sparse and leggy to boot. If their only charm is ease of care, I
really don't mind a bit of hand-to-hand contact with a planter full of the
old-fashioned beautys, and I will shop for miles around to find exactly the
color of choice - I love petunias, they smell good!
Am I missing something here? >>
My pal Betty is an artist. If the colors are not blended to please the eye
or if the colors have bounced a bit off the palette she will correct them.
Betty's is a garden of shady glamour filled with treasures. This a frequent
tour garden which I guess will have to be sans petunias.
Having said that I will say one more thing on the petunia thread. Petunia
integrifolia (hard to find) sets no seed, hence no snipping of spent flowers.
The blossoms are quite small and numerous. The color range on the market is
white or purple. A large plant is produced by late summer. It can be
sheared back, one half at a time is good, and will regrow. The growth of
integrifolia is slower than all others.
Wave petunias are the best in the purple original form. This purple is
really deep magenta. The other colors are OK but not as satisfactory and
purple wave. I grow this in a container set right in the grey stachys patch.
Another is planted with helichrysum so the petunia and it's grey companion
grow together. Wave petunias set some seed but can be free of grooming also.
Shearing late summer or earlier in the warmer places works fine.
Supertunia is a low priced seed for growers who will not order the expensive
wave seed. Surfinia is probably the same. These two have large blossoms and
I cannot see the difference between the S's and the beautiful standard
varieties found everywhere.
The waves may be a bit raucous but consider a plant that will cover yards of
space, keep blooming and cost around one dollar and half.
On the taste issue, I have no neighbors.
Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
z4
