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Petunia × hybrida (Garden Petunia)

Common Name(s): Garden Petunia, Petunia, Hybrid Petunia

Botanical Name: Petunia × hybrida (Hook.) Regel

Family: Solanaceae

Origin: Apparently a complex of hybrids involving P. axillaris, P. inflata, and P. violacea.

Uses: Petunia × hybrida is valued primarily for its ornamental appeal, making it a popular choice in home gardens, public landscapes, balconies, and hanging baskets. Its wide range of colors, patterns, and flower forms allows designers to create visually striking beds, borders, and seasonal displays. Petunias are also used in mass plantings to add vibrant, long-lasting color during spring and summer. In addition, their mildly fragrant varieties attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity. Their adaptability and aesthetic versatility make petunias one of the most widely used bedding plants worldwide.

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An annual flowering plant with trumpet-shaped blooms in a wide array of vibrant colours, Petunia × hybrida is a staple in ornamental gardening. It bears ovate, hairy leaves and thrives best in full sun, producing abundant flowers throughout the growing season. The blooms, typically 5–7 cm in diameter, are ideal for garden beds, borders, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Known for its easy cultivation and long-lasting display, this versatile plant adds instant colour and charm to landscapes, making it a favourite among gardeners and landscapers alike.

Cultivation: Petunia × hybrida is widely cultivated for its vibrant, long-lasting blooms and ease of growth in gardens and containers. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and requires full sunlight for optimal flowering. Regular watering, without waterlogging, and periodic application of balanced fertilizers help maintain vigorous growth. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the season. With proper care, petunias add bright color and fragrance to landscapes, borders, hanging baskets, and balconies.