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By LarryR | Petunias are one of the most popular bedding plants ever grown. Among the array of colors, shapes, sizes and habits available, there is bound to be something to please every gardener. It wasn't always like this though.
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Name: Lynn Dallas, OR (Zone 8b)              valleylynn Aug 8, 2011 7:51 PM CST |
| Hats off to you Larry. I thought I new about petunias. Well I know they are annuals and come in different colors and sizes. Now I know the rest of the story. Thank you for such and interesting article. |
Name: Larry Rettig South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)            LarryR Aug 8, 2011 7:57 PM CST |
| Glad you enjoyed it, Lynn. There are lots of plants with interesting histories. I'll see if I can track down some more. Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos! |
Name: Lynn Dallas, OR (Zone 8b) valleylynn Aug 8, 2011 9:56 PM CST |
| I look forward to any and all you can present. I love learning new things about plants. |
Name: Larry Rettig South Amana, IA (Zone 5a) LarryR Aug 8, 2011 10:00 PM CST |
Thanks for the encouragement, Lynn.  Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos! |
Name: Dahlianut Calgary, AB Zone 3a NE Alumni             dahlianut Aug 9, 2011 7:03 AM CST |
Wonderous history on petunias Larry  I like to fool around with petunia seeds from my multicolour blooms. Usually they revert back to solid colours but sometimes they make swirly blooms. Nothing uniform but prettiful http://cubits.org/DahlianutsDi... Share the Joy |
Name: Larry Rettig South Amana, IA (Zone 5a) LarryR Aug 9, 2011 10:14 AM CST |
| Isn't it fun to sow seed from a hybrid to see what you'll get! I've also done it with zinnias. The most unusual bloom I got was one that only had a green center. No petals at all! Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos! |
Name: Christine North East Texas (Zone 7b)        wildflowers Aug 10, 2011 3:13 PM CST |
| Larry, your article was very interesting. I really enjoyed learning the history of petunias. I'll have to find some that like this Texas heat! If they're as tolerant as the zinnias, I'll have a chance! May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb |
Name: woofie NE WA (Zone 5a)         woofie Aug 15, 2011 1:14 PM CST |
Hee hee, I once kept a pot of petunias going for over 3 years! They were in a big pot sitting in a window on the back porch; they just completely took over that window! Ah, found a pic: Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid. |
Name: Sharon K. Winter Las Vegas, NV \"Mother Winter\"     WormslovUsharon Aug 15, 2011 8:34 PM CST |
| Now all we need is one that tastes terrible to those little worms that love to eat the blooms. Loved your article. Nice to know the history. Thank you very much. If it is not going to affect you five years from now, do not let it get you down. |
Name: Larry Rettig South Amana, IA (Zone 5a) LarryR Aug 16, 2011 4:06 PM CST |
| Thanks for your nice comments, Christine, woofie, and Sharon. Woofie, congratulations on your long-lived petunia! And thanks for the pic. Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos! |
Name: Vickie Elberfeld, Indiana, USA (Zone 6b)      blue23rose Nov 23, 2014 9:41 AM CST |
| Reading through all the old newsletters and came across this article. Larry I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading about the history of the petunia. Our house had no landscaping to speak of 35 years ago, but ever since we started digging around the house about 10 years ago, volunteer petunias have sprung up everywhere. So these seeds had been laying dormant for only God knows how many years. So, I was wondering if there is a name for these petunias, other than "old-fashioned". Would you have any idea? These have an almost sickly sweet smell after a rain and I don't believe they come true from seed. West side of house in 2007  Around the patio (North side of house) in 2014  Front of house (Southeast side of house) in 2014  Color variations are anywhere from pure white to fuchsia to purple.  Vickie May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown |
Name: Larry Rettig South Amana, IA (Zone 5a) LarryR Dec 23, 2014 12:24 AM CST |
| Such lovely petunia photos, Vickie! Glad you enjoyed the article. The only other names I know for these petunias is heirloom petunia and multiflora petunia. Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos! |
Name: Vickie Elberfeld, Indiana, USA (Zone 6b) blue23rose Dec 23, 2014 5:10 AM CST |
| Thanks, Larry! Vickie May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown |
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