CALIBRACHOA - HOW TO GROW SUPERBELLS® AND MILLION BELLS®

Zones:

Annual up to Zone 8; perennial in Zones 9-11.

Height/Spread:

Sprawling habit; 12 to 24 inches wide, 6 to 12 inches tall, and trailing stems up to 30 inches long.

Exposure:

Calibrachoa bloom best with at least six hours of sun, though they can tolerate partial shade.

Bloom time:

Planting until frost.

Color and characteristics:

Plants have compact oval green leaves, which are somewhat sticky, and small flowers that look similar to petunias. They bloom in a wide range of solid colors, bicolors, stripes, patterns, and doubles, including coral, yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, purple, burgundy, lavender, and crème.

Also known as:

Many gardeners use Million Bells® or Superbells as their common name, however these are actually trademarked names. Others call them mini-petunias or trailing petunias because they look like small petunias.

When to plant:

Plant outside in mid-to-late spring after all danger of frost is past.

Where to plant:

Grow by themselves or in combination with other plants in containers or hanging baskets with well-draining soil. They can also be planted in beds or borders providing the soil is well amended and drains well; however, they perform best in pots.

How to plant:

Place potting mix in a hanging basket or container. Remove from the pot and gently tease the roots out if pot-bound. Place 6 to 12 inches apart and firm soil around the base. Water well to thoroughly wet the plant and settle the soil around it.

Pruning and deadheading:

Calibrachoa are self-cleaning and require no deadheading. Pinch back tips occasionally to encourage branching, which will produce more flowers. To rejuvenate plants mid-season, cut branches to half their length and fertilize to stimulate new growth.

Soil:

For containers and hanging baskets, use a quality all-purpose potting mix that drains well. For bedding displays, soil should be well amended and drain quickly.

Amendments & fertilizer:

Calibrachoa are heavy feeders. Nutrients are quickly leached from the soil by frequent watering, so fertilize regularly for continuous bloom. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks or add a slow-release granular fertilizer to the soil at planting time, replenishing according to instructions.

Watering:

Proper watering is essential. During hot weather, containers can dry out quickly, so they should be checked regularly—even daily. Frequency of watering will vary according to temperature, humidity, type of potting mix, and container size. Stick your finger two inches into the soil; if it feels dry, then it’s time to water.

Diseases and pests:

Overwatering can lead to root rot or an infection from one of the Phytophthora species, which can kill plants. If plants are wilted after watering, this can be a sign of root rot. Heat stress can make plants susceptible to spider mites, and aphids.

Deer resistance:

Calibrachoa do not seem particularly tasty to deer; however, they are not classified as deer resistant.

One of the most versatile annuals, Calibrachoa can be incorporated into any landscape. Here’s how:

• Place one or two tall ceramic pots near your home’s entrance and fill with colorful Superbells® to greet visitors.
• Adorn arbors and pergolas with hanging baskets brimming with your favorite colors.
• Plant window boxes that receive at least 6 hours of sunlight with colors that complement your home’s exterior.
• Shepherd’s hooks are a great way to add hanging baskets for instant color by a patio, deck or poolside. Hooks are easily moved around for a fresh look.
• Place a hanging basket outside your kitchen window to enjoy a burst of color whenever you’re cooking or doing dishes. This will attract hummingbirds and butterflies up close where you can most appreciate them.

Calibrachoa combine well with many other annuals. Get creative and make your own custom containers using the principle of “thriller, filler, and spiller.”

• Combine them with taller plants such as angelonia, coleus, African daisy, purple fountain grass, zonal geranium, or Persian shield.
• Add fillers such as coral bells, lantana, marigold, or sedges.
• Companion trailers include sweet potato vine, fan flower (Scaevola), verbena, bidens, bacopa, or nemesia.