Petunia Cranberry Blast

Petunia Cranberry Blast is a sensational novelty in the world of hybrid petunias. This annual plant has a spreading habit and rapid and vigorous growth, which will dress up pots and hanging baskets in just a few weeks. It offers saucer-shaped flowers in two shades of pink, pale pink and bright pink. Its opulent foliage disappears under variegated cascades of flowers from summer to frost. Plant in full sun, in rich and moist soil.

Hybrid petunias are all derived from several plants native to the hot regions of South America. The Cranberry Blast Petunia belongs to the Solanaceae family and is closely related to ornamental tobacco and its foliage also contains alkaloids. The 'Cranberry Blast' variety forms a round clump 80 cm (32in) tall and 40 cm (16in) in diameter in record time, with a gracefully trailing habit. The plant is in bloom from June to October, provided that faded flowers are regularly removed and it is regularly fed. Its cup-shaped, medium-sized flowers are widely marked with bright pink on a pale pink background bordered with pink. The small centre of the corolla is marked with purple. The hairy, dark green foliage has entire edges.

No other annual flowering plant has undergone such intense selection by breeders for such a long period. The results are impressive and petunias compete with geraniums for the splendour and length of their flowering, as demonstrated by this Cranberry Blast variety. Plant it in large pots or hanging baskets or plant them in borders, to edge grey foliage plants such as dusty miller or wormwood.

Note: Please be aware that plug plants are products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost is passed.