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Petunia Facts

Petunia Facts
Petunia is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the family of nightshades. There are 35 species of petunia that originate from South America. Petunia was introduced to Europe in the 19th century where it instantly gained popularity as decorative, garden plant. Petunia grows in areas that provides at least 5 to 6 hours of sun per day, on a well-drained, fertile soil. It doesn't tolerate frost. Petunias are cultivated because of their ornamental flowers that are available in variety of colors and shapes.
Interesting Petunia Facts:
Size of petunia depends on the variety. It can grow from 6 inches to 4 feet in height.
Petunia has green leaves covered with hairs. Leaves can be heart-shaped or ovate. They are usually alternately arranged on the stem. Some types of petunia produce gooey sap which covers the leaves and creates "sticky feeling". This substance protects the plant against insects and other pests that might harm it.
Petunia can produce single or double blooms, depending on the variety. Flowers are trumpet-shaped and available in almost all colors (except blue). The most popular types of petunia are white, yellow, red, pink or purple colored. Flowers of petunia can also be multicolored, variegated and striped.
Petunia blooms from spring to autumn.
Insects and some species of hummingbirds are specialized for the pollination of petunias.
Most types of petunias are propagated via seed.
All types of petunia can be divided in 4 major groups: grandiflora, hedgiflora, multiflora and milliflora.
Grandiflora is the most popular and most often cultivated type of petunia. Petunias of this type produce large flowers of different colors and forms. Despite their large size, these plants are gentle and sensitive to heavy rainfall.
Hedgiflora is a type of spreading petunias that grow quickly and cover large areas of soil in short period of time. This type of petunia produces lots of flowers that can completely cover foliage beneath them.
Multiflora type includes compact petunias that are usually two times smaller than grandiflora type. They are hardy and able to produce flowers both during hot and wet seasons. Flowers are usually white, yellow, pink, deep red and purple colored.
Petunias of the milliflora type produce the smallest flowers. They are usually only 1 inch wide, but they are brightly colored and grow in abundance. This type of petunias blooms successfully even without pruning.
Name "petunia" originates from a word "petun" which stands for "tobacco" in Brazil. These two types of plants are genetically related and can be crossbreed.
Offering petunia as a gift sends message: "I'm furious".
Common petunias are edible. Their flowers have sweet and spicy taste.
Petunias are annual plants, which mean that they complete their life cycle in one year.


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