Calibrachoa Superbells Blackcurrant Punch - Mini-Petunia

The Calibrachoa Superbells Blackcurrant Punch enhances the range of Mini-Petunia Superbells with its richly coloured magenta and black flowers, punctuated with a small yellow centre. Its rapid and vigorous growth is the source of a very beautiful compact and cascading ball-shaped habit that wonderfully serves its unfailing flowering. Its long flexible stems are adorned with small green and pointed leaves that remain impeccable throughout the season. This generous annual is very easy to grow in the sun, in light, fertile, and not too dry soil.

Calibrachoa, sometimes called Million Bells, are cold-sensitive perennial plants often grown as annuals. Very similar to Petunias, they differ in the number of chromosomes that make up their genetic heritage and some morphological characteristics: their flowers are smaller and more resistant to rain, their growth is shrubby or herbaceous with woody stems, their development is less significant, and they are more drought-resistant. The hybrids that make up this group all belong to the Solanaceae family (like tomatoes) and probably descend from an Argentinian species called Petunia integrifolia.

The 'Superbells Blackcurrant Punch' variety quickly forms a dense mound that is wider than it is tall, measuring 25 to 30 cm (9.84 to 11.8 in) in height and 40 to 60 cm (15.75 to 23.6 in) in diameter. Its flexible stems are densely covered with small lanceolate, evergreen, velvety, and slightly hairy leaves of medium green colour. It continues to flower uninterrupted, from June until the first frosts. Many small funnel-shaped flowers arise from the axils of the leaves; measuring 3 to 4 cm (1.18 to 1.6 in) wide, they are very bright purple-pink around a dark plum, almost black throat. Unlike Petunias, these Calibrachoas do not need to be pruned during the season. Their flowering is called 'self-cleaning', meaning that the faded flowers fall off by themselves.

The Calibrachoa 'Superbells Blackcurrant Punch' is ideal in hanging baskets, planters, or containers, but its heat and drought tolerance as well as its vigour also allow it to be used in the ground in very well-drained soil, where it forms very pretty borders and spots of intense colour in flowerbeds or rockeries. It can be planted alone or accompanied by 2 or 3 other varieties with complementary colours (purple, blue, white, pink), in vases, flower pots, planters on terraces, balconies, or patios. Mini-Petunias are also good veranda plants. Their combination with verbenas, surfinia petunias, double bacopas, and nemesis is stunning. The choice is vast and allows free rein to the imagination and tastes of each gardener, even inexperienced ones.

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in mini-pots are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transfer and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C (>57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting outdoors once the risk of frosts has definitively passed.