Petunias are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one year, lasting only during the growing season. All Petunias like full-sun locations with a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Petunia varieties can be divided into 4 main groups or categories based on flower and growth habits. The 4 categories are grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora, and the spreading or "wave" petunia.
Wave Petunias are a spectacularly different type of the common petunia. It has a trailing shape that makes Wave petunias a great choice for containers, baskets, window boxes, as well as a great seasonal ground cover.
First introduced in 1995, Wave petunias thrilled millions of gardeners for their size and show. Whether Waves are used in beds, hanging baskets, large containers, balconies and window boxes, they can take it. A single plant can spread 3' - 4' wide, a great value for color right up to the first frost.
Wave Petunias hug the ground (standing only 4" - 6" high) for a very neat and tidy look. Unlike standard petunias, you don’t need to remove spent blossoms to keep the plants blooming!
Choose a bright, sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Sun is a MUST to keep your plants blooming and looking their best all season.
DO NOT plant your Wave Petunias in the same place every year. You'll see the best results if you move them around your garden – put them in a planter one year, in a small bed the next. For baskets and containers, dispose of the old soil and replace with new, fresh soil. By rotating your Wave Petunias, you'll not only enjoy the best performing plants, but you'll be maintaining the health of your garden soil. Farmers have been practicing crop rotation with great success for years.
Don't let your Wave Petunias dry out between waterings. They need plenty of water and keep in mind that containers dry out faster than in-ground beds. Apply a liquid fertilizer every 10 to 14 days or use a combination of liquid and a slow-release fertilizer. Always follow the recommendations shown on the labels!
Water petunias in the morning before the sun fully rises. Afternoon watering can cause leaves to burn from the sun’s hot rays. Watering at night allows for mold and fungus to develop on wet leaves.
If Wave Petunia leaves turn yellow, give them a one-time feeding with 20-10-20 fertilizer will help prevent leaf yellowing in late Summer. Or you can add a slow-release fertilizer when you plant them.
Wave petunias come in 4 different types and many colors. Here's a primer on the four Wave series and how to use them in distinct ways in the garden to create many dramatic looks:
Wave: This series features pretty Petunias that grow and spread close to the ground. Wave spreads out the most of the three, covering up to 4' across! It reaches a garden height of 4" - 6" and comes in the award-winning colors of Blue, Lavender and Purple, along with Misty Lilac, Pink and Rose.
Easy Wave: The Easy Wave series spreads, too, but grows more into a dense mound of colorful blooms. It spreads about 2.5' - 3' across and grows 6" - 12" high. Color choices are Red, Blue, Pink, Salmon, Shell Pink and White.
Tidal Wave: It’s not called Tidal Wave for nothing! This Petunia series grows the tallest with a “hedge” of flowers flowing over the plant. Tidal Wave Petunias grow 16" - 22" tall and spread 2.5' - 4'. Keep in mind that height and spread depends on how close you plant them. Remember to tell your customers that if they want a large, mounded plant, to place them a minimum of 12" apart. For a plant that spreads lower to the ground, place each Tidal Wave Petunia up to 24" apart. Colors include the award-winning Silver, plus Cherry, Hot Pink and Purple.
