garden petunia (Petunia × atkinsiana) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Garden petunia is a flowering plant usually grown as an annual in U.S. summer beds and hanging baskets. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in many colors and patterns, and the leaves and stems have fine, slightly sticky hairs.

Appearance

Growth form: Plants may form low mounds or trail over a basket, depending on the cultivar.
Leaves: Soft, oval leaves and stems have fine, slightly sticky hairs.
Flowers: The funnel-shaped flowers come in many colors and patterns, with single and double forms.
Flowering time: In North Carolina gardens, flowers continue through summer until frost.

Look-alikes

Drummond phloxPhlox drummondii

Drummond phlox (Phlox drummondii) bears clusters of small flowers at stem tips. Garden petunia usually bears individual, broader funnel-shaped flowers along its stems.

Why they get mixed upBoth are colorful summer bedding plants.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: flower beds
containers
hanging baskets
Range: This cultivated hybrid is planted across the United States as a common summer bedding plant.
Preferred conditions: Grow it in full sun or light shade and well-drained soil. It can grow outdoors as a perennial in 10a–11b.

Growing it

Propagation: Some cultivars grow from seed, while others are maintained from cuttings.

Name and classification

About the name: It has also been called Petunia × hybrida.
Varieties and forms: Cultivars range from compact to trailing, with large or small flowers that may be plain, striped, ruffled, or double.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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