Petunia × atkinsiana (Petunia × hybrida) is a Petunia plant "nothospecies" (hybrid) which encompasses all hybrid species of petunia between P. axillaris and P. integrifolia. Most of the petunias sold for cultivation in home gardens are this type.
Petunias are one of the most popular garden flowers for both borders and containers. They are prolific bloomers, although some forms require deadheading to keep them going. However, most petunia varieties will bloom throughout the summer, except in extreme heat. You can find petunias in just about every color but true blue and with growing habits that mound in borders or trail down containers. Petunias have wide trumpet-shaped flowers and branching foliage that is hairy and somewhat sticky. Within the petunia family, there is great variety: single and double blooms, ruffled or smooth petals, striped, veined or solid colors, mounding and cascading habits and even some with fragrance. Most of the petunias sold today are hybrids, developed for specific design purposes. They grow easily when you transplant them to the garden, and this should be done in the spring when the threat of frost has passed.
