Petunia Exserta is a compact, heat-loving annual that brings vibrant color to summer gardens with minimal fuss. Growing just 8 to 12 inches tall but spreading to 18 inches wide, this variety reaches full bloom in about 84 days from seed and flowers reliably from early summer through the first frost. It thrives in full sun, tolerates drought once established, and shrugs off deer browsing, making it a dependable choice for hot, dry spots where other flowers struggle. The flowers appear consistently from June through November, providing months of color with moderate watering and basic care.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
6-11
12in H x 18in W
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High
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Petunia Exserta is a mounding variety built for tough conditions. Drought tolerance and deer resistance make it exceptionally low-maintenance, while its long bloom window from summer deep into fall ensures your garden stays colorful even as temperatures drop. This cultivar also attracts pollinators throughout the season, supporting bees and butterflies when they need them most.
Petunia Exserta serves as a reliable annual bedding plant for borders, containers, and mass plantings where extended color is desired. Its compact, mounding form works well in hanging baskets and window boxes, and its drought tolerance makes it suited to rock gardens and xeriscape designs where water conservation matters.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost. Keep soil temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover containers with a humidity dome or light sprinkling of vermiculite to retain moisture until germination occurs, which typically takes 7 to 14 days. Provide light during germination and keep seedlings under bright conditions until transplanting.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost date has passed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden.
Direct sow into finely raked seedbed after the last spring frost in zones 8 and warmer. Surface sow and press seeds in lightly, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact without burying them deeply.
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