Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon
Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and the others in the Vista series are wonder-plants for hot, humid Louisiana gardens. They are said to be the best petunia for landscapes. Vistas exhibit vigorous growth, are heat tolerant, disease resistant, and don’t require deadheading for continuous blooms from spring through fall.
These “fillers and spillers” can be used in mass plantings for beds, and are also excellent choices for containers and baskets to entice butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to visit the fragrant, nectar-rich flowers. The plants will perform best (especially those in containers) if you keep them hydrated during the dog days of summer. Companion plants include Rocket series snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus), Dianthus ‘Amazon Neon Cherry’, Angelonia, and dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima).
Quick Facts and Keys to Success
Common Name: Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunia
Botanical Name: Petunia hybrid ‘USTUNI6001’
Other varieties/Cultivars to Look For: Fuchsia (‘BHTUN65301’), Silverberry (‘USTUNI60-01M’)
Zone(s): Hardy in 10-11; grown as annual in all
Color: Rose pink, magenta, silvery pink
Blooming Period: From spring to fall frost
Type: Perennial grown as an annual
Mature Size: 12-24 inches
Exposure: Part sun to full sun
When to Plant: Early spring
How to Plant: Space 12-18 inches apart in good, moist, well-drained soil in beds, containers, and baskets.
Watering: Somewhat drought tolerant, but regular watering produces more blooms.
When to Prune: Baskets and containers will benefit from cutting back 20 percent of the long stems in July.
When to Fertilize: Use slow-release fertilizer when planting and again in July.
In Your Landscape: Supertunia Vista series are outstanding, versatile, fragrant petunias with prolific blooms that attract pollinators for about six months of the year.