Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubblegum

Petunia Supertunia 'Vista Bubblegum' forms cascades of large single funnel-shaped, fresh and bright, bubblegum pink flowers delicately veined with darker pink. This vigorous and naturally branching annual forms an opulent and trailing dome from late spring to autumn. Its unmatched floribundance, always sprightly appearance, resistance to heat and weather, and superb pink tidal effect allow for numerous uses, both in the garden and in pots. This particularly generous plant thrives in full sun and requires regular watering.

Petunia belongs to the Solanaceae family, it is closely related to ornamental tobacco and its foliage also contains alkaloids. These annual, biennial or tender perennial plants are most commonly grown as annuals and are all native to the warm regions of South America. Petunia Supertunia is a sterile hybrid petunia dating back to 2006, with a trailing weeping habit rather than an upright one, making it a magnificent plant for hanging baskets. It also stands out for its beautiful and very long flowering period.

Petunia Supertunia 'Vista Bubblegum' forms a particularly vigorous and trailing clump, 40 cm (16in) high (sometimes 60 cm (24in)) that cascades up to 90 cm (35in), or even 1.20 m (4ft) by the end of the season. The plant is in bloom from June to October, or even until the first frost, provided it is regularly fed and watered during dry periods. Its single, medium-sized, cup-shaped flowers are a fairly light pure pink, streaked with dark pink veins, plunging into a purple throat. They are tightly packed together on long downy stems, hiding a dense foliage. The vigorous and healthy foliage is composed of ovate leaves with pointed tips, quite hairy, greyish green with entire edges. This variety tolerates bad weather and heat well, and its faded flowers fall off naturally.

No other flowering annual plant has been subjected to 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 evidenced by this 'Supertunia Vista Bubblegum' variety. Plant it in large pots or hanging baskets, alone or mixed with a blue surfinia, a purple-leaved Ipomoea (I. Sweet Heart Purple), or a white alyssum, as it will not smother these companion plants. If you want it to stand out, plant several plants to create an original ground cover at the base of grey foliage plants such as Nepeta faassenii or annual poppies in pastel colours.

Supplied as growing plants measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in 5 small 2.8 cm (1in) diameter and 4 cm (2in) high, separately labelled plug plants. Our plants are at least eight weeks old and strong enough to be planted in the ground.

Note: Please be advised that plug plants are products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, repot and store them in a sheltered location (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14C° for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.