Petunia Cascadias Indian Summer

The Cascadias 'Indian Summer' Petunia is a brand new trailing Petunia with a promising future. This colour magician produces a profusion of amazing flowers because they continually change colour, in a range of very warm shades. They bloom in a yellow hue, gradually turn coppery orange, then take on a pink-orange hue, or sometimes brick red, before fading. The overall effect forms a dense dome that cascades in multicoloured waterfalls. Its early and prolonged flowering as well as its ease of cultivation make this annual plant a fabulous variety for hanging baskets and containers. It will thrive in full sun or partial shade, in a light, fertile, and not too dry soil.

Hybrid petunias all originate from several plants native to the warm regions of South America. Trailing petunias came about by chance when a scientist noticed in 1989, on the edge of a field, a particularly vigorous wild petunia covered in bright flowers: the Petunia inflata. Crossed with others, this species gave rise to trailing petunias, which were given the name Surfinias. The 'Cascadias' series was developed in the 2000s. The 'Cascadias Indian Summer' Petunia belongs to the Solanaceae family, it is closely related to ornamental tobacco, for example, and its foliage also contains alkaloids. This vigorous plant quickly forms a beautiful creeping clump, at least 40 cm (15.7 in) in height and 90 cm (35.4 in) to 1.20 m (3.9 ft) in diameter, with a very trailing habit. It produces cascades of large velvety flowers, slightly fragrant, in the shape of flared trumpets, all along its long densely hairy stems, from June until autumn, provided that faded flowers are regularly removed and it is regularly fertilised. In a whirlwind of wonderful shades worthy of Indian summer, they almost conceal the hairy foliage, with entire and elongated leaves with entire edges and a light green hue.

No other annual flowering plant has been the subject of such in-depth selection work by breeders for over a century. The results are impressive, as petunias compete with geraniums for the splendour and length of their flowering, as demonstrated by this variety. Plant it in large pots or hanging baskets, above walls, wherever its flower-covered stems can descend. You can also plant them in borders, in large swathes, to punctuate grey foliage plants such as cerastiums or artemisias, or cover the base of roses. 'Cascadias Indian Summer' pairs well with 'Hot Water Blue' lobelias or white petunias that will perfectly enhance its brilliant flowering. Drought and heat resistant, Cascadias Petunias appreciate sunny locations as well as partial shade.

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in mini plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once all risk of frost has passed.