HAVING A BLAST

Simple plantings are easy and often the most stylish.  All it takes it just one plant of new Petunia Raspberry to completely smother a large hanging basket or container, trailing over the edges in a cascade of gorgeous pink blooms, edged in deep cerise-pink.  In fact, the exceptional breakthrough new colour and markings of Petunia Raspberry Blast have even been said to conjure up reminders of the fabulous sixties era of hippies and tie dye - for those old enough to remember.

If you are an old hippy at heart, don't be afraid to team Raspberry Blast with other highly coloured cascading plants for a truly psychedelic look!  And remember, Petunia Raspberry Blast is not only well suited to hanging baskets and other containers, it will grow happily in the garden, spreading to 60 - 80 cm wide with a height of around 25 cm.  If forms a wonderful living mulch, suppressing weed growth and providing an outstanding carpet of colour for weeks on end.  The sooner you plant it, the longer you will be able to enjoy its startling effects.

Many petunias suffer in the heat of high summer, but Petunia Raspberry Blast is one of a new generation of perennial petunias, bred to withstand extreme heat and drought (once established).  It is also low maintenance, 'self-cleaning plant, meaning you do not have to spead time picking off spent blooms - they simply fall off themselves.  Regular watering and feeding will enhance the performance of Petunia Raspberry Blast and a light trim and re application of slow release fertiliser in mid summer will promote a blast of new growth and the promise of many more weeks of stunning colour.

Getting the most out of Raspberry Blast:

• Plant in Debco Pot Power or well drained, well composted garden soil in full sun to part shade.
• Add water crystals and slow release fertiliser to hanging baskets and containers.
• Add slow release fertiliser to garden beds.
• Apply snail bait.
• Water weekly with liquid fertiliser over summer.
• Trim lightly in mid-summer to tidy up and promote renewed vigour.

As featured in Go Gardening Magazine Summer 2010