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Flowers similar to petunia are popular among gardeners due to their attractive appearance and variety of uses. Such plants are not only planted in flower beds, but also placed in pots, flowerpots and hanging containers. Despite the fact that these flowers are similar in shape or color to petunia, in other characteristics they can differ significantly.
What flowers are similar to petunia
Petunia is a very unpretentious crop that can be widely used as part of landscape design and decoration of the local area. This plant is actively used for decorating open terraces, verandas and galleries. A wide palette of natural shades and unpretentiousness make this crop very popular among gardeners.
Photos with the names of flowers similar to petunia, as well as their main features, can be seen below.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa is a hanging crop that looks very similar to petunia. The flowers of the plant are smaller in size (1-3 cm) and cover strong branched stems with a small “pile” in large numbers. Under favorable conditions they grow up to 1-1.5 m in length.
Calibrachoa does not tolerate direct sunlight.
The range of shades is very large.But mostly calibrachoa can be seen in brown, purple and yellow colors. The crop is planted in slightly shaded places, as the plant does not tolerate full sun and does not tolerate drafts well. Calibrachoa is most often propagated by cuttings or seeds. Likes moderate watering. The basic agricultural technology of the variety is very simple.
Minitunia
Another ampel-type crop with flowers similar to petunia, only smaller. Minitunia is one of the related hybrids that has similar agricultural technology and such an important property as ease of care. The main difference of the culture is strong branching, accompanied by abundant budding and the formation of a large number of small flowers.
Minitunias are resistant to weather conditions and less demanding on feeding
The bright annual is actively used as a ground cover plant, placed in containers, flowerpots, pots, and used to decorate gazebos, balconies and city flower beds. Minitunia seeds are planted no earlier than mid-May, seedlings - in April, depending on climatic conditions. Like most varieties of petunias, this species does not tolerate direct sun, therefore, when sowing it, it is necessary to take into account the presence of shade. Watering should be moderate, however, the amount of moisture should be increased during the flowering period.
Mirabilis
This compact plant, which does not look like a petunia, develops in the form of small bushes up to 70-80 cm high. The paired leaves of a dark green hue are ovoid in shape, the color of the flowers is very diverse. In nature, mirabilis is found in lilac, purple, crimson, orange and bright yellow colors. Variegated-spotted and striped varieties are known.
Mirabilis blooms only at night
Night blooming is accompanied by a sweet, pleasant aroma. With this quality, mirabilis is similar to another famous plant - night violet. For planting, you need to select a well-lit area without drafts. Mirabilis is undemanding to the soil, prefers regular watering, but does not tolerate stagnant water.
Surfinia
Another flower similar to petunia is called surfinia. This is a very beautiful crop, which during the flowering period is densely covered with bright large buds and looks like a ball. The average diameter of each flower is 5-6 cm. The color palette is very diverse: from milky white to purple, interspersed with dark purple. Grows up to 1.5-2 m.
Surfinia has the longest flowering time
Surfinia prefers good lighting, temperatures not lower than +15 ° C, abundant, regular watering and neutral soil composition. The hybrid is fertilized in spring and autumn. During the summer season, shoots are pruned several times.
morning glory
Morning glory belongs to the Bindweed family. It is attractive primarily for its bright flowers, which have a funnel shape and original color. The leaves resemble a heart. Garden morning glory can grow up to 5 m. Surprisingly, the flowers of the plant not only bloom in the sun, but also turn after its movement. The bright “gramophones” close at noon, however, if the day is cloudy, this may happen later in the evening.
Morning glory is very beautiful, but poisonous
The plant blooms for a long time: from June until the first frost with red, blue, purple, white and pink flowers. It is similar to petunia in its unpretentiousness. Despite the fact that morning glory is a perennial, in the middle zone it is most often cultivated as a hanging and ground-covering annual.
Datura
Datura common is a petunia-like plant with highly toxic properties. Botanists classify it as a member of the Solanaceae family. It is similar to petunia in its unpretentiousness in terms of cultivation and care.
Datura requires careful handling and compliance with precautionary rules during the growing process
The culture has a powerful root system, a strong, erect stem, reaching a height of 110-120 cm. The leaves are large, dark green, matte, slightly pointed. They have an unpleasant odor. Single white or purple Datura flowers are funnel-shaped and 10-12 mm in diameter. They bloom from early June to September. Just like the leaves, they have an unpleasant aroma. Reproduction occurs by seeds. The crop is sown in early spring.
Lavatera
Lavatera is an amazingly beautiful plant with delicate large flowers that have a silky sheen. They are characterized by a palette of pink, purple, blue, yellow and white. The average diameter is 8-10 cm. Lavatera is a plant with a powerful root system, strong stems and a very impressive crown. The bushes can grow up to 1-1.2 m in height.
Lavatera's second name is wild rose.
This species blooms from June to October. Lavatera is very easy to care for, which is why it is often called “a plant for the lazy.” The variety is resistant to drought, withstands drafts, and is not picky about the composition of the soil. Flowers look great when cut and last up to 6-7 days without fading.
Fragrant tobacco
The cultivation of fragrant tobacco (Nicotiana alata) began in 1867. This representative of the Solanaceae family has erect shoots, large leaves and small flowers resembling a star. Their color is very diverse. Flowers of fragrant tobacco can be white, crimson, scarlet, yellow or pink.
Fragrant tobacco blooms in cloudy weather
The beginning of the flowering period of this species is June, the end of budding is September. The annual plant is classified as a heat-loving species and is sown mainly through seedlings. In addition to regular watering and loosening, it is necessary to promptly remove wilted flowers of fragrant tobacco.
Thunbergia
A plant such as thunbergia is represented in botany by both bushes and vines. The leaf blades are large, reach a length of 3-10 cm, have soft pubescence and pronounced lobes. The flowers are similar to petunia, only smaller, not exceeding 3-4 cm in diameter. They can be single or form entire inflorescences. They have the richest colors. In nurseries you can find thunbergia in purple, blue, yellow, orange, light blue, white and brown. Species with red inflorescences are extremely rare.
Only some varieties of thunbergia have a strong aroma, the rest have virtually no smell
This representative of the Acanthus blooms from July to September. In the southern regions it is cultivated as a perennial, in mid-latitudes - as an annual. Similar in unpretentiousness to petunia. Under favorable conditions it can grow up to 2 m.
Kampsis
Another liana-like plant is Kampsis. The main difference is that its stem can become covered with bark over time. In addition, Kampsis regularly sheds its leaves. The flowers of the crop are large, funnel-shaped, up to 10 cm in length. The hue is predominantly orange.
Campsis liana can reach a length of 15 m
For planting it prefers southern, well-lit areas. Campsis is similar to petunia in its low requirements for soil composition. Loves moderate watering and timely pruning.
Conclusion
Flowers similar to petunia are in great demand among both ordinary gardeners and landscape designers. They are widely used not only for decorating the garden, but also for decorating open spaces, houses, cafes and restaurants.
