Calibrachoa Superbells Grape Punch - Mini Petunia

The Calibrachoa Superbells Grape Punch enriches the range of Mini-Petunia Superbells with its light two-tone purple flowers, punctuated with small yellow centres. Its rapid and vigorous growth is the source of its very beautiful both compact and trailing habit, which wonderfully serves its inexhaustible flowering. Its long flexible stems are adorned with small green, pointed leaves that remain impeccable throughout the season. This annual is very easy to grow in sunny locations in light, fertile, and not too dry soil.

Calibrachoa, sometimes called Million Bells, are tender perennials often grown as annuals. Very close to petunias, they differ in the number of chromosomes that make up their genetic heritage and some morphological characteristics: their blooms are smaller and more rain-resistant, their growth is shrubby or herbaceous with woody stems, their development is less voluminous, and they are more drought- tolerant. 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 Grape Punch' variety quickly forms a dense and wider than tall mound of 25 to 30 cm (10 in to 1 ft) in height and 40 to 60 cm (1 ft 4" to 2 ft) in diameter. Its flexible stems are densely covered along their entire length with lanceolate, evergreen, velvety and slightly hairy small leaves of medium green colour. Its tireless flowering takes place from June until the first frosts. Many small funnel-shaped flowers emerge from the axils of the leaves; they are 3 to 4 cm (1.2-1.7 in) wide, bright purple veined with darker purple lines, around a dark purple neck. Unlike petunias, these calibrachoas do not need to be pruned during the season. Their flowering habit is known as 'self-cleaning', which means that the faded flowers drop off spontaneously.

Calibrachoa 'Superbells Grape Punch' is ideal in hanging baskets, planters, or pots, but its heat and drought tolerance as well as its vigour also allow it to be planted out in the ground, in very well-drained soils, where it will form very pretty borders and displays of intense colour in flowerbeds or rockeries. It can be planted alone or accompanied by 2 or 3 other varieties with complementary colours (mauve, pale yellow, pink), in tubs, flowering pots, balcony planters on terraces, balconies, or patios. Mini-petunias are also good verandah plants. Their association with verbenas, surfinia petunias, double bacopas, and nemesias is remarkable. The choice is vast and allows free rein to the imagination and tastes of every gardener, even inexperienced ones.

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