Petunias are a dependable choice for garden color

Gardeners seeking dependable, bright summer color have long turned to the familiar petunia, and the plant in turn has returned its trust with lots of flowers.

Recent work by plant breeders gives gardeners even more reason to trust the petunia to perform like a summer champ it can be. Five types are offered for sale throughout the country, and while the distinction is slight within two types, the overall differences are significant but not obvious at the garden center when the plants are purchased. While petunias are easily grown from seed, most gardeners opt to buy transplants for quicker garden results.

Petunia circa 2003 harks back to its native South America and subsequently to Europe in the 1850s, when French botanist Petun began early breeding work. Not much happened for almost 100 years, but then interest grew gradually, with significant breeding work done in the 1950s -- and lots more since.

The result is that gardeners have lots of choices in colors and garden performance.

This is one versatile annual -- more so than many others -- and it is ideal for planting in the ground and in containers. It asks only for a sunny spot, occasional feeding and average soil.

But the choices can be confusing in the hustle of the garden center and the frenzy to get spring planting done. Seed packages typically list only the variety and the type. Most gardeners buy petunias as transplants, though, and sometimes the tag that comes with the tray does not list the type. It is an important piece of information.

Here are brief descriptions of the five types, as well as some thoughts on where each particular type is best used:

Grandiflora. These are typically big plants with big flowers, some as large as 5 inches across. Varieties are available in a wide range of colors and have petals with frilly or rounded edges.

The size of the blossom makes it vulnerable to damage from rain and wind. Because of this, the grandiflora petunia is best used in containers or protected areas, rather than being massed in an exposed garden. Some smaller, more compact varieties, which still have large flowers, have been developed, and these are much better for garden plantings.

Multiflora. Consider this the workhorse of the garden. Plants and flowers are smaller than the grandiflora type. The trade-off is that the plants have lots of blossoms that hold up well to adverse weather.

Multiflora types tend to mature faster than other types, making them ideal for gardeners with short growing seasons. Because the plants are compact, they are best used in the garden, rather than in containers where they could easily be dwarfed by faster-growing plants.

Floribunda. Depending on the variety, this type has the best from both multiflora and grandiflora types -- vigor and lots of flowers but on a plant that is less compact than its multiflora kin. This type is better in the garden, in massed plantings, than in containers. It does well when planted close together, creating a sea of green and color.

Some varieties are a bit more resistant to summer disease than others.

Milliflora. These are the tiny petunia plants that have become popular in the last few years. The class is a result of a genetic mutation between hybrid plants, and the result is really nice. It is a true miniature petunia plant that flowers quickly and grows compactly, and these traits make them useful where other types are too big. Milliflora types are ideal for small, tabletop bowls, small patio containers, window boxes and hanging baskets.

Spreading. This is the newest type and is exceptionally popular because it behaves like no other petunia; it is ideal in low, ground cover applications and hanging baskets. They are typically sold as individual plants, rather than in cell packs.

What sets them apart from other types is that they are trailing and especially vigorous. They are ideal in southern gardens because they tolerate intense sun and heat. In the south, they may live over from year-to-year, as they are perennials. In cold weather states, they are best treated as annuals.

Popular types include Wave, Supertunia, and Superfinia. They are well worth the extra cost because of their vigor and dramatic color.