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Successful Wave Gardens

The Wave Team is often asked for advice about planting Wave® Petunias and Cool Wave® Pansies in the garden. We all aspire to that perfect, spreading bed of gorgeous color! Here are a few things to remember...

  • Make sure your location gives your Wave plants at least 6 hours of sun. These are sun-loving flowers that need its warmth and energy to look their best!
  • Adding organics or amending your soil with compost creates an ideal environment for healthy roots. The further they can work their way into the soil, the better fed and hydrated they will be.
  • After digging your hole, a dose of slow-release or granular fertilizer will give your plants a head start to vigorous growth. (Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the label.)
  • When transplanting your Wave plants, maintain the same plant depth as the original pot or pack. Place it in the ground all the way up to its soil line. Pack it in nicely.
  • In the Spring and Fall, space Cool Wave Pansies 12 inches (30 cm) apart in the garden.
  • After the chance of frost has passed, space original Wave® and Easy Wave® Petunias 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) apart in garden beds.
  • Tidal Wave® Petunias grow according to how you space them: Spaced 12 inches (30 cm) apart, they form a dense, mounded hedge. Spaced a little farther apart – about 18 inches (45 cm) – they will perform as large, mounded bedding plants.
  • You can transplant a larger container of Wave Petunias or a hanging basket of Cool Wave Pansies right in the garden. However, do not attempt to break apart the plants or cut through the roots. Doing so may harm the plant’s root-base, and inhibit the ability to take in water and nutrition. It may also make it susceptible to disease.

A regular routine of liquid fertilizer (about every 10-14 days) when you water will keep your vigorous plants fed and happy. Because of their aggressive spreading nature, this added nutrition is necessary to keep them sending up new branching and blooms.

If the plants get slightly over-grown or leggy in your landscape, you can cut them back. Remember to keep them fertilized and within 2 weeks you’ll see a fresh new carpet of color!