What would be on your wish list when it comes to petunias? I guess you want bright rainbow, cheerful colours. I guess you want vigourous growth, a plant that really fills the pot rather than sits there all shy. I guess you’re also worried about the weather though, especially if you’re a UK reader, you definitely will want a Petunia that can stand up to some rain, and not collapse and get covered in sticky residue!
The “La Signora” Series of Petunia from Lazzeri in Italy are exceptional, and one of their leading lines across Europe.
Sometimes the breeding in a plant isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it only becomes clear when you have a calendar by your side. “La Signora” is known as being a very early variety, even earlier than competitor varieties by around 7 days. This can make the world of difference to the grower. But, also for the consumer, they can get their hands on plants earlier and get a head start on those boujie hanging basket displays!
The ideal plant for the grower is something that looks neat and compact on the garden centre bench, and then goes onto to perform like crazy for the consumer, this Petunia really fits the bill when it comes to that. The flowering performance is very exceptional as well, flowering from spring until the frosts. But, if you’ve got experience with Petunia, you will know they need to be fed on a regular basis. Get into the habit!
“La Signora” is adding 4 new colours to the range this year, and the series can be broken down into Vigorous and Medium, with the medium types being ideal for window boxes, with a slightly more restrained growth!
‘Pink’ is one of my favourites, and is new for this year!
“Starlight Purple” is one of my picks, as it brings that gorgeous constellation effect that we know and love already in the marketplace.
An interesting avenue for Lazzeri was the introduction of the “Prizma” breeding line, where they basically threw a whole load of seed packets in the air, and then watched to see where they would land! “Prizma” is where the imagination ones wild, with a range of very interesting petunias, with every everything from stars to stripes, and colours you could not of imagined 20 years ago.
“Moonlight Rose” is of note, and the introduction of this whole series shows that the customer is always looking for something new, and a novelty.
“Caleidoscope Black” is also pretty awesome, and I’ve never seen such a Petunia before!
And perhaps it is a new customer to gardening that is buying this type of Petunia, rather than the traditional customer, which is okay by me!
As this range extends all the time, and doesn’t really follow any rules, it relies strongly on grower feedback, to check that the plants makes sense in a nursery environment, but by also letting Lazzeri know the customer reaction to the varieties, i.e do they sell!
I think “Prizma” is a very exciting range, and I can’t wait to see them for sale in my local garden centre!