Plant Primer: Supertunia Picasso in Purple petunia

Supertunia Picasso in Purple petunia

Light: full sun (at least 5 hours) to partial shade

Height: 1-2 feet

Spread: 18-30 inches

USDA Hardiness Zones:  10a-11b

Origin: South America; this variety is a hybrid

This beauty is not your grandmother's petunia. The 'Supertunia Picasso in Purple' petunia (Petunia hybrid 'DCASPITAYA') has a unique coloring. It is purple with a chartreuse edge — talk about interesting!

The medium-green, ovate leaves have a bit of fuzz on them, and are sessile (meaning they lack a leaf stem). The flowers are funnel-shaped, with five fused petals.

Petunias are a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family and are related to tomatoes, peppers and tobacco.

'Supertunia Picasso in Purple' grows well along the garden border or planted in a container where it can serve as both a filler and a spiller. This petunia is self-cleaning, so no need to deadhead.

See the 'Supertunia Picasso in Purple' petunias blooming happily in the containers at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

— Barbara Arnold

Franklin Park Conservatory