Petunia Splash Dance Fuchsia Flamenco

Petunia Splash Dance 'Fuchsia Flamenco' is a variety with speckled flowers that retains its pattern even in hot weather. It has large, single funnel-shaped flowers that are a slightly mauve, fuchsia pink, widely and irregularly speckled with white. Unlike other speckled varieties, its colour does not vary with temperature. It is a semi-trailing, early variety, perfect for hanging baskets and containers to add life to the patio or balcony from May to October.

Petunia belongs to the solanaceae family; it is closely related to ornamental tobacco and its foliage also contains alkaloids. These annual, biennial or perennial, frost-sensitive plants are mostly grown as annuals and are all native to the warm regions of South America.

'Fuchsia Flamenco' is part of a new series of hybrids with unique speckled patterns that are not temperature-dependent. It forms a dense, semi-trailing clump, with long, hairy stems that rise up to 25-30 cm (10-12in) and spread out to 50-60 cm (20-24in). The plant flowers from May to October, as long as it is regularly watered and fed. Its large, cup-shaped flowers are approximately 7-8 cm (3in) in diameter. Each one is different, more or less speckled with white on a fuchsia-pink background. The throat is veined with purple. The vigorous and healthy, dense foliage has hairy, medium green, ovate and pointed leaves, with entire edges. This variety requires very little maintenance: simply remove faded flowers regularly.

Plant the 'Fuchsia Flamenco' Petunia in large pots or hanging baskets, either alone or paired with other harmonius varieties such as 'Snow Blanc' or 'Raspberry Star'. In contrast, it can be planted with a purple-leaved morning glory or a variety of Petunia with black flowers like 'Black Ray'. In flower beds, plant several plants to form ground cover at the base of pastel-coloured flowers such as annual poppies. No other annual flowering plant has undergone such intense selection by breeders for such a long period. The results are impressive, as petunias now rival geraniums in terms of splendour and length of flowering.

Supplied as growing plants measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in 5 small plugs measuring 2.8 cm (1in) in diameter and 4 cm (2in) high and labelled separately. Our plants are at least eight weeks old and strong enough to be planted in the ground.

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