Plant of the Month: March 2014

by Jenny Wegley

Petunia x hybrida ‘Suncatcher Vintage Rose’

AT A GLANCE
Latin name: Petunia x hybrida ‘Suncatcher Vintage Rose’
Common name: Petunia
Flowers: 2” in diameter with a rose eye fading to a creamy pink edge
Mature size: 12” tall by 12” wide
Hardiness: Summer annual
Soil: Well drained
Exposure: Full sun
Water usage: Medium
Sources: Local nurseries or mail order

Here in Dallas you never know how long spring is going to last. It could be four weeks or 12 weeks, so we need something that grows fast and produces an abundance of color. When I think about spring color, Petunia quickly comes to mind for the wide range of flower colors that are available. With that being said, there are some environmental challenges that affect overall performance. Heavy spring rainfall can lead to petunias having “wet feet,” causing powdery mildew and potential rot. That was the case several years ago at the Dallas Arboretum Plant Trials.

Last year we did a large Petunia trial and the results caused me once again to favor petunias. We had the perfect spring last year, and the Petunia trials rocked! There was one cultivar that caught our interest week after week — ‘Suncatcher Vintage Rose’. It is a new trailing hybrid that makes you say “Holy cow, that’s a petunia?” It stunned us with its vigor and the quantity of flowers that it produced. By the end of the season, 15 individual plants, planted on 10-inch centers, covered a space of 5 feet by 6 feet. We also planted it in our hanging baskets trials and it did not disappoint, trailing 18 inches over the container, dripping with flowers. ‘Suncatcher Vintage Rose’ has a unique multi-toned flower that fades from a medium rose to cream, with definition becoming more apparent as the flower ages. It is perfect for someone looking for a more subtle pink petunia.

‘Suncatcher Vintage Rose’ makes adding spring color easy and fun! Place it in the landscape to quickly fill space or in a hanging basket to truly show off its amazing trailing habit. Add another element of color by planting it in a jade-, blue- or purple-toned container. Plant in full sun, feed regularly and do not overwater. Be assured that ‘Suncatcher Vintage Rose’ has excellent powdery mildew tolerance, however.

Find this great plant at your favorite local nursery or online. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Have fun and garden strong!