Perfect Petunias


If you are like many, living a hectic lifestyle with precious little time to potter around the garden, then Petunias are for you. They are one of those rare gems that reward very little care with masses of blooms.

When planting Petunias, whether in containers, window boxes or beds, placing them along a north-facing wall is preferable, as it will trap a lot of heat and light. These are a prime growing position for petunias and will encourage them to flower throughout winter and spring – for up to five months!

Whilst your soil needn't be particularly rich to grow good petunias, it must drain well. After planting, water regularly until seedlings are established. Once established the secret behind successful Petunias is to allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. This is particularly important as the drying out cycle encourages them to flower more profusely and keeps pathogens at bay.

Information supplied by the Bedding Plant Growers Association. For more information please visit www.lifeisagarden.co.za.