Mini Petunia Calibrachoa x hybrida
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-ih-brah-KOE-ah BY hy-Brid-ah
- Description
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Trailing petunias, are tender perennial hybrids, usually grown as an annuals, that have been known to survive the winter in USDA Zone 7, but are more commonly winter hardy in Zones 9 through 11. The plant grows best in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. It can grow in partial shade but flowering will be reduced. The plant also tolerates drought and, unlike most other petunia-type plants, Calibrachoa does not decline during hot summers. It does require a slow-release fertilizer incorporated into the soil and a diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks throughout the blooming season.
When grown as an annual, you should purchase plants in spring to set out after the last frost. If you attempt to grow in the garden as a perennial, be aware that Calibrachoa produces very few seeds and must be vegetatively propagated. Catch-22 is that most hybrid cultivars are patented, which prohibits vegetative propagation.
The plant has a prostrate, low-growing, habit and can reach a height of 6 to 9 inches, but spread horizontally as much as 2 feet. It produces masses of small, petunia-like flowers in cherry, red, rose, violet, blue, or yellow through the summer until frost. You do not need to deadhead flowers to encourage blooms.
Plant in a boarder front, along a walkway or near a patio, in containers or hanging baskets. If grown in a container it prefers fast-draining soil that is well amended with organic matter. Many container-grown plants are root-bound so consider repotting immediately. Water containers regularly but only after the top inch or two of soil is dry.
Deer do not seem particularly interested in browsing though these plants are not classified as deer resistant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Spider mites and aphids are occasional problems. Overwatering can cause root rot or mold.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Floating Garden Flower Bonanza Garden Fairy Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cabaret Goodnight Kiss'
Tied for 2nd in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Caberet Hot Pink'
Bright pink flowers trailing stems 8" long - 'Caberet Purple Glow'
Purple flowers 12" wide trailing stems 8" long - 'Callie Apricot'
- 'Callie Deep Yellow'
- 'Callie Scarlet Red'
- 'Callie White'
- 'Kabloom Light Pink Blast'
1st Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Million Bells Terra Cotta'
Orange flowers streaked with red and gold stems 8" long - 'MiniFamous Double Blue'
Double blue-purple flowers 10" long stems - 'Minifamous Double Deep Yellow'
- 'MiniFamous Neo Deep Orange'
Tied for 2nd in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'MiniFamous Uno Double PlumTastic'
Tied for 2nd in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Superbells Dreamsickle'
- 'Superbells Lavender'
- 'Superbells Pomegranate Punch'
Red velvet darker toward center 8" long stems - 'Superbells Yellow'
- 'Cabaret Goodnight Kiss'
- 'Cabaret Goodnight Kiss', 'Caberet Hot Pink', 'Caberet Purple Glow', 'Callie Apricot', 'Callie Deep Yellow', 'Callie Scarlet Red', 'Callie White', 'Kabloom Light Pink Blast', 'Million Bells Terra Cotta', 'MiniFamous Double Blue', 'Minifamous Double Deep Yellow', 'MiniFamous Neo Deep Orange', 'MiniFamous Uno Double PlumTastic', 'Superbells Dreamsickle', 'Superbells Lavender', 'Superbells Pomegranate Punch', 'Superbells Yellow'
- Tags:
















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cabaret Goodnight Kiss'
Tied for 2nd in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Caberet Hot Pink'
Bright pink flowers trailing stems 8" long - 'Caberet Purple Glow'
Purple flowers 12" wide trailing stems 8" long - 'Callie Apricot'
- 'Callie Deep Yellow'
- 'Callie Scarlet Red'
- 'Callie White'
- 'Kabloom Light Pink Blast'
1st Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Million Bells Terra Cotta'
Orange flowers streaked with red and gold stems 8" long - 'MiniFamous Double Blue'
Double blue-purple flowers 10" long stems - 'Minifamous Double Deep Yellow'
- 'MiniFamous Neo Deep Orange'
Tied for 2nd in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'MiniFamous Uno Double PlumTastic'
Tied for 2nd in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'Superbells Dreamsickle'
- 'Superbells Lavender'
- 'Superbells Pomegranate Punch'
Red velvet darker toward center 8" long stems - 'Superbells Yellow'
- 'Cabaret Goodnight Kiss'
- 'Cabaret Goodnight Kiss', 'Caberet Hot Pink', 'Caberet Purple Glow', 'Callie Apricot', 'Callie Deep Yellow', 'Callie Scarlet Red', 'Callie White', 'Kabloom Light Pink Blast', 'Million Bells Terra Cotta', 'MiniFamous Double Blue', 'Minifamous Double Deep Yellow', 'MiniFamous Neo Deep Orange', 'MiniFamous Uno Double PlumTastic', 'Superbells Dreamsickle', 'Superbells Lavender', 'Superbells Pomegranate Punch', 'Superbells Yellow'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Calibrachoa
- Species:
- × hybrida
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South and Central America
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Prostrate
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11b, 11a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Prolific, produces hundreds of 1" flowers from late spring to first frost.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Simple ovate and a bit sticky.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Description:
- Tend to sprawl and trail with age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat