How to Grow and Care for Tumbelina

Tumbelina petunias are prized for their performance in hanging baskets and containers. They feature fragrant, fully double flowers with a ruffled, rose-like appearance that sets them apart from common single-flowered varieties. The plants have a tidy, cascading growth habit, with stems that spill over container edges, reaching lengths of approximately 12 inches (30 cm). This ensures flowers are displayed along the full length of the branches.

Tumbelina Varieties

The series offers a wide palette of colors, allowing for diverse planting schemes. Popular varieties include:

• ‘Priscilla’: Features lavender flowers with deep purple veins.
• ‘Diana’: Offers brilliant white petals for a classic look.
• ‘Susanna’: Provides soft, creamy yellow blooms.
• ‘Belinda’: Features rich, deep blue flowers.
• ‘Cherry Ripple’ and ‘Damson Ripple’: Bi-color options that mix shades of purple and white.

How to Grow Tumbelina

These petunias are tender perennials often grown as annuals, thriving from spring until the first frosts. They are known for their weather resistance and have been tested to perform well in variable summer conditions. After the risk of frost has passed, they can be moved outdoors.

Sunlight

To achieve the most prolific blooming, Tumbelina petunias require a location that receives full sun. This means the plants should get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. While they can tolerate partial shade, the density of flowers and overall vigor of the plant will be greatest in a sunnier position. A spot with some protection from strong, drying winds is also beneficial.

Soil

A high-quality and well-draining potting mix is recommended for Tumbelinas grown in containers. The soil should be fertile to support their heavy growth and flowering. If planting them into garden beds, amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure will help create the rich conditions they prefer. When using containers, ensure there are adequate drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the roots.

Watering

Consistent moisture is important for keeping these plants healthy, especially since they are often grown in hanging baskets and pots that can dry out quickly. It is best to check the soil regularly, watering thoroughly whenever the top inch feels dry to the touch. They do not like to be left in standing water, so it is better to water based on need rather than a fixed schedule.

Fertilizing

Tumbelinas are considered heavy feeders, and regular fertilization is necessary to sustain their continuous flower production throughout the season. Applying a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every one to two weeks is a common recommendation. A feed that is high in potash can be particularly effective at promoting more blooms.

Pruning for Continuous Blooms

Maintaining the appearance of Tumbelina petunias involves some simple pruning to prevent them from becoming “leggy,” a condition where stems become long and sparse with fewer flowers. This maintenance encourages the plant to become bushier and produce fresh flushes of blooms, keeping it looking full and vibrant from mid-summer onwards. These actions redirect the plant’s energy toward creating new growth and flowers.

A primary task is deadheading, which is the removal of spent flowers. Instead of just pulling off the wilted petals, it is better to pinch or snip the entire flower head off at its base, including the small swelling where seeds would form. This action signals the plant to produce more flowers rather than putting energy into seed production. While some Tumbelina varieties are described as self-cleaning, occasional deadheading helps keep the plant looking tidy.

Beyond deadheading, trimming back the trailing stems periodically rejuvenates the plant. Around mid-summer, or anytime the plant starts to look open and tired, cut back some of the longest stems by about one-third to one-half their length. Make cuts just above a set of leaves, as new growth will emerge from these points. Combining this trim with a dose of liquid fertilizer can help kickstart the new growth, resulting in a fuller plant with more flowers.