As promised, we’re here at the garden centre in Part 2 of our Step by Step with Wave: Summer Series.
Choosing the right flowers for a starter garden can be overwhelming. But with a little help from Wave Petunias, we’re confident Shirley will find that gardening spirit.
In Part 1, Shirley mentioned her favorite colours were red, purple and yellow. Luckily, we found just what we were looking for. All we had to do was search for the petunias in the Wave pink pots, which were available in 6-in. (15-cm) pots and 6-packs.
In the Wave section of the garden centre, you might find different types of varieties, such as:
• Shock Wave: enjoy petite-size flowers for small spaces.
• E3 Easy Wave: early flowering Easy Wave colours with a tidy look.
• Easy Wave: great versatility and the most colour! They bloom freely all season.
• Tidal Wave: mountain of colour for big spaces and containers.
• Wave: the original spreading petunia creates a ground-hugging carpet of colour.
How to choose your plants
At the garden centre, be sure you’re buying flowers that are healthy. Look for green foliage and plants that have really been watered and taken care of at the store. Make sure the plants have newly formed flower buds, as well. This means the roots are established and ready to be planted in your own garden, container or hanging basket.
For Shirley’s front yard we’re choosing, Easy Wave Red and Easy Wave Violet. We also have Purple Wave Classic with a deep magenta colour. This variety will look great among her existing plants since it’s the petunia that spreads the widest in the Wave family and will really make an impact in her garden.
Accent plants for flower mixes
For Shirley’s large outdoor containers, we’re choosing a few accent plants with gorgeous height. And a tropical feel to complement her new Wave Petunias. Accent plants we chose to add into Shirley’s 20-in. (51-cm) pots to create the ultimate combo include: a large bronze spike for height or “thriller,” asparagus fern with a frothy texture for “filler,” and vinca vines for the “spiller” feature that will trail down the container for an elegant look.
Shopping for potting soil
Be sure to use potting soil mix, not top soil. Although it’s a lower price point, it won’t give you the nutrients your new plants need to root and grow. With potting soil, especially in containers, it helps with retaining moisture, which is exactly what your Wave Petunias need to really thrive in the summer heat. Check out the second episode below with everything we’ve gone over for a successful day at the garden centre. Stay tuned for the next blog in this Summer Series when it’s officially Planting Day at Shirley’s house!