“Oh boy,” was my less-than-enthusiastic reaction when I opened the box of plants to trial from Proven Winners and saw several petunias. PINK petunias at that. I can’t stand petunias. They get sticky, messy, don’t deadhead politely, get covered in aphids, don’t tolerate rain – and pink is NOT my color…

As I donned my gardening gloves and pushed my pride to one side I tried to focus on the fact that I was being asked to test these plants as a real gardener so that YOU would have an unbiased review of their performance. Sure it was going to be unbiased. I hate petunias. Did I mention that already? And I don’t especially like pink. I’m not completely averse to pink – I just wouldn’t choose it.

I hastily shoved them in a couple of spare pots adding whatever I could round up to work with them (did I mention that I don’t “do” pink?) and set up the drip irrigation system.. I then left town for 10 days – for 8 of which it poured with rain. When I got back home did I rush out to see how they were doing? Noooo. I hunkered down in my office for another 8 days to finish writing my book, during which time it rained – a lot.

When I eventually emerged and ventured out to check on them I anticipated a sticky, molten mess. I kid you not – they were stunning. No sticky goo. No aphids.

I didn’t even primp them before taking these photos – this is as real as it gets!

Et Voila: Supertunia Vista Bubblegum

Of the two, so far, I’d say Vista Bubblegum has a tidier habit – no awkward sprawly bits – and it is playing beautifully with the delicate, silver Artemisia ‘Makana Silver’. And although I don’t go for pink as a rule I could honestly be tempted by this one. It’s a lovely clear shade of pink with deeper veins- not too bright and not too pale. I think it will hold up well to bright summer sun come August. And just one little plant is really giving a lot for the money.

 

…and Supertunia Vista Paradise

Supertunia Vista Paradise is a little more sprawly but not excessively so and I am deliberately not going to pinch it back as I want to see how it performs on its own. Chances are it will even out and have a similar habit to Vista Bubblegum.

SUPERTUNIA® Vista Paradise with a blue fanflower (Scaevola), Sedum ‘Lemon Coral’

and a lovely new Angelonia called ANGELFACE® ‘Steel Blue’ that will be available in 2019.

All except the fanflower are from Proven Winners.

It’s a really deep shade of neon pink that looks stunning with bolder shades of yellow and blue-purple so is a little closer to my usual color tempo. This one will be available in nurseries in 2019.

Stay tuned for a late season follow up but dare I say I am impressed? By a petunia! Proven Winners – you have achieved the impossible.

Although the plants were from Proven Winners I have not been paid to give my endorsement. Opinions are my own and unbiased. (I DID tell you that I hate petunias, right?)