What is the difference between ampelous petunia and cascade
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Bright petunias are the most popular annuals. They are unpretentious, beautiful, besides, today breeders offer an amazing selection of shapes and shades of flowers - for every taste. These plants can be grown not only in the garden, but even on the balcony of a city apartment. True, not all of their varieties are suitable for this, and many questions arise on the topic: ampelous and cascading petunia are differences and common features. Not to mention the fact that there are also differences between the ampelous and cluster groups.
Petunia ampelous and cascading: difference
At first glance, the cascading and ampelous varieties of this plant are very similar in their long branching shoots. But in fact, despite the flowing branches and bright simple flowers, there is a difference between them. This division was adopted due to the fact that their bushes are formed in different ways, and there are still differences in the size of the flowers.
Petunia ampelous
What is petunia ampelous
This group includes plants that, thanks to their long hanging shoots, can be used for growing in hanging containers and pots. Representatives of this variety are distinguished by long and abundant flowering. In this case, the flowers can be bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, and their shade can be white, purple, crimson, etc. There are hybrids with a flower diameter of 15-90 mm, with colored veins, with a spectacular dark core.
What is petunia cascading
A very beautiful variety. Its flowers can be red, pink, and purple, there are even fantastic combinations of two shades. The cascade petunia differs from the ampelous one because of its size. Representatives of this group require much more living space.
For the normal development of one copy, a container with a volume of at least 5 liters is required. If you want to grow two flowers in one container, then you should count on 15 liters at once. It is not surprising that such containers are not used as suspended ones. Although in a large container, a plant of this type can easily stand on the balcony all summer long. It is not necessary to plant it in a flowerbed as a bush variety.
Cascade of flowers
How to distinguish ampelous petunia from bush
In addition to the listed varieties, there is another large group - this is a bush. It is considered the most numerous and diverse in terms of appearance, since it includes both low-growing varieties, in which the flower diameter does not exceed 5 cm, and taller and larger plants, with flowers up to 16 cm in diameter.
The main criterion for classifying a variety or hybrid in this group is that the shape of the bush can be maintained without special pruning. In this case, the bush can be very lush, but it does not need special care. It is enough just to pinch the tops of the stems so that the plant sprouts lateral shoots.
Both ampelous and bush varieties are very similar, especially at the seedling stage. In order to say with confidence what kind of annual we are talking about in this or that case, you need to wait until the formation of lateral shoots begins. Even in small plants, quite noticeable differences appear at this stage.
Ampel varieties begin to sprout lateral shoots almost immediately, so the plant takes on the shape of a bush, but it does not have any one pronounced central stem.In a bush petunia, if you do not pinch the branches, side shoots will not appear, and the main stem will stand out clearly, over time, buds will begin to bloom on it.
Bush variety
How to distinguish ampelous petunia from simple
It should be noted that the term "simple petunia" is used in relation to a plant with a certain structure of flowers. This is a whole group of varieties and hybrids. It includes three varieties - bush, ampel and cascading flowers. Thus, it would be advisable to consider another question - how does ampelous petunia differ from its cascading relative.
Three criteria should be distinguished here:
- shoots. For all the external similarities, they are different for both groups. Ampel hybrids have more flexible and longer shoots that seem to flow down from a hanging container. Their length can exceed 1 m. The cascading varieties also have rather long shoots, but their difference is that they grow upward. It's just that these shoots are powerful enough, and over time, under their own weight, they begin to descend, forming a cascade. Their length can reach 1.5 m.At the same time, cascading specimens form more shoots, so the bush looks more lush,
- the size of the flower. The differences between ampelous petunia and cascade petunia are that in the first one, flowers of different sizes can bloom on the same plant at the same time, and in cascading varieties, all flowers have approximately the same diameter - 4-5 cm.In addition, in this group, two-color varieties are more common,
- features of the formation of a bush. Ampel plants, as already noted, quickly form lateral shoots, they need to be cut to maintain a given shape. These varieties are grown in hanging baskets. Cascading petunia also grows well, but more powerful shoots require support. Only two copies of such annuals form a solid flower bed.
Petunia in landscape design
But in terms of the basic rules of care, there are no special differences. That common petunia, that ampelous, that cascading are not demanding in relation to the acidity of the soil or its composition. In any case, planting in open ground is carried out after the end of the frost, when stable heat is established. Many popular plant hybrids, at least in early summer, like good lighting, but there are some that prefer diffused light or partial shade. In order for this annual to please the owner with abundant flowering, organic fertilization is required.
It is not difficult to grow an ampelous or cascade petunia in your summer cottage or balcony if you know and follow the rules for caring for these plants.
