Fleuroselect, the International Organisation for Ornamental Plants, awards the annual FleuroStar honour to the variety that is judged to have the most ‘wow’ effect in the retail store or at home in gardens, on terraces or balconies. Winner for the 2011 season is Petunia ‘Phantom’, a unique black and yellow variety guaranteed to bring style to any setting!
Give landscapes a stylish edge with pinwheel-stripe ‘Phantom’ petunias. Sleek and sophisticated, this astonishing new petunia has a black base colour with a distinctive yellow star, blushed around the edges with a dark purple pink. Many people don’t consider mixing black into their landscape’s colour palette, but it looks great in containers and window boxes. This new annual is easy to grow and has a long blooming season.
‘Phantom’ has the appearance of a chic lady, but requires much less maintenance! Far from being demanding, these beautiful Petunias continue to flower through the warmest summers, and thrive in slightly dry conditions. With an upright, mounding habit and good weather resistance, this unique variety will add a touch of class and draw admiring (and envious) glances all round!
Pot up Petunia plugs and grow them on in warm frost-free conditions for transplanting later on. Alternatively, plant plugs directly into flower pouches. Pinch out the growing tip of each stem to encourage branching and form a bushier plant which will produce more flowers later on. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days, before transplanting them outdoors into baskets, window boxes and containers in well-drained soil, in full sun. Plants reach 30 cm in height and spread, and flower profusely from May to the first frosts.
Also available in selected premium garden centers as finished plants in 10.5 cm, 11 cm, 13 cm/1 Lt premium pots and as hanging baskets. Feed and water Petunia plants regularly, particularly during hot, dry periods. The colours of Petunia ‘Phantom’ are enhanced if the compost is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Dead-heading will help to ensure a continuous show of stunning flowers over the whole plant.
Source: Fleuroselect