Calibrachoa -- Tiny Petunia Lookalikes

There’s a reason why calibrachoa are known as “million bell petunias.” I discovered these gems a few years ago and now they’re a mainstay in my patio containers. Each plant produces masses of bright little petunia-like, bell-shaped flowers that grow on trailing, tumbling stems.

These bright, colorful annuals have actually replaced petunias as my favorite dependable, “go-to” annual. I still love petunias, but calibrachoa are self-cleaning and require no deadheading. They love bright sunlight and drought. They are truly tough, low-maintenance plants, and they're sooo pretty!

Calibrachoas tend to be a little more expensive than most annuals. This is apparently because the plants aren’t good seed-producers, so growers have to propagate them by planting cuttings, which is a more involved process. The extra expense limits how many I buy every year, but they’re so worth it!

Here in Portland, (USDA zone 8), calibrachoa often survive for a second year. I’m sure that winter would nip the plants in cooler climates, but they do fairly well wintered over in my garage, along with my geraniums.

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