Petunia Conchita Azur

Petunia 'Conchita Azur' is a recent variety with a dense and truly trailing habit, producing stems over 60 cm (24in) long, completely covered with single, medium-sized flowers with a dark blue centre fading to sky blue over time. These vigorous plants flower continuously until October, with endless waves of blue in summer flower beds, overflowing from pots and hanging baskets. It thrives in full sun, in fertile, light and moist soil.

Hybrid petunias originate from several plants native to the warm regions of South America. Trailing petunias were discovered by chance in 1989 when a scientist noticed a particularly vigorous wild petunia covered in bright flowers on the edge of a field: Petunia inflata. Crossed with others, this species gave rise to trailing petunias, which were marketed as Surfinias. The trailing Petunia 'Conchita Azur' belongs to the solanaceae family and is closely related to ornamental tobacco, its foliage also contains alkaloids. This plant quickly forms a spreading clump, at least 20 cm (8in) tall and 60-70 cm (24-28in) in diameter, with a trailing habit. It produces cascades of flowers from June until the first frosty nights, provided faded flowers are regularly removed and it is regularly fed. Its medium-sized, cup-shaped flowers are 4.5 cm (2in) in diameter, in azure blue, slightly mauve, then faded blue with a dark centre. The hairy, dark green leaves have entire edges.

No other annual flowering plant has undergone such extensive breeding work for over a century. The results are impressive and petunias rival geraniums in the splendour and duration of their flowering, as demonstrated by this variety. Plant them in large pots or hanging baskets, above walls, wherever their flower-covered stems can cascade. They can also be planted in beds, creating large swathes to edge borders of plants with grey foliage, such as cerastium or artemisia, or to cover the base of roses.

Note: Please be aware that our plug plants are products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, repot and store them in sheltered areas (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once all risk of frost has passed.