By Delilah Onofrey, Suntory
Photographs courtesy of Suntory
Petunia breeders have been working on all kinds of novelty patterns – bicolor stars, blotches and even hearts! ‘Surfinia Heartbeat’ has been one of Suntory Flowers’ top sellers. Each white flower has five pink hearts. This whimsical pattern will make you say, “be mine!”
Surfinia petunias have revolutionary breeding that gives them outstanding garden performance. They are extremely fast-growing, profuse bloomers that are self-cleaning and have superb weather tolerance!
‘Surfinia Heartbeat’ can be found at many independent garden centers, usually in 4-inch or quart pots. You can mix with other annuals in sweet combination plantings and window boxes. Make a heartfelt planter for Mother’s Day! The plants are beautiful and graceful on their own in patio planters, urns and hanging baskets. Growth is controlled, mounded but still trailing. Plants are less vigorous or aggressive than the classic Surfinia petunias and flowers are smaller.
Expression of the pattern can vary with temperatures and feeding. With too much fertilizer, the flower might be solid pink. Not enough and
in hot conditions, the flowers will be hungry and mostly white. If you see the hearts, then you know your plant is happy.
In 2021, Heartbeat will have a companion, ‘Surfinia Purple Heart’. As with ‘Surfinia Heartbeat’, white flowers produce a pattern of five dark purple hearts. Wouldn’t these be a nice tribute to a veteran or loved one who earned the Purple Heart?
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A new year brings an opportunity to change things up. And annuals can be the throw pillows of our garden. Our friend Delilah has identified five new annuals to look for at your favorite plant retailer. click here. for an interesting article.
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