Say Goodbye To Mums: This Cheery Plant Keeps The Summer Vibes In Your Garden Well Into Fall

If you dread saying goodbye to colorful flowers at the end of summer, you don't need to plant only mums. There are some longer-lasting plants you could grow instead, like the Supertunia 'Picasso in Purple' from Proven Winners, a petunia that blooms from early spring through the first frost of the year. This Supertunia variety can help you maintain a cheery and bright vibe in your yard even as outdoor temperatures start dropping.

Supertunias are a type of petunia from the Proven Winners plant brand. Unlike the brand's Wave series of petunias, Supertunias are grown from cuttings rather than seeds. And as such, they also don't produce any seeds. The Supertunia 'Picasso in Purple' made its debut in 2017 and features purple blooms with contrasting green edges. These flowers grow into mounds that measure 12 inches in height, with a max spread of about 24 inches. The petunias are also known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, so if you're trying to bring more pollinators to your yard, they're a great option.

On the Proven Winners website, customers have left the Supertunia 'Picasso in Purple' reviews over the years. As of this writing, 52% of reviewers give the plant five stars, while 19% give it four. A total 23% of customers give it one or two stars. Of the customers who left feedback, several praised the plant's color combination and "tidy mounds." However, a few mention that their plant had an odor, with one describing it as "putrid." This said, other buyers specifically reported that they hadn't noticed the same smell.

To grow the Supertunia 'Picasso in Purple,' first choose a location that will receive ample sunshine. According to Proven Winners, these Supertunias thrive in full sun to part sun, meaning they should get at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, though they can grow with four hours of sunlight, so long as the temperatures are warm. As for where to plant them, you have flexibility here; they do well in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden beds.

Once planted, Supertunias don't require much maintenance. For one, deadheading isn't needed for these plants. However, you might want to trim the longest stems around the middle of summer to encourage a fuller shape. As for watering, this is one requirement that you do need to maintain — especially if you plant your Supertunia 'Picasso in Purple' in a hanging basket, as a basket will dry out more quickly (due to there being less soil) than if you plant the petunia in the ground or a container.

For these plants to thrive, they not only need full sunlight, but also consistent moisture. So while watering is "average," don't let the flowers get to the point of wilting, which can happen if you skip a watering or two. Just practice consistency. (See our tips on the best ways to water petunias for more blooms and healthier plants.)

Finally, Superpetunias can sometimes attract budworms, also known as the geranium budworm. Signs of these caterpillars' presence include a lack of blooms (despite your efforts), and holes in the flowers and leaves. If you notice these signs, it could indicate you have budworms. If so, to bring your dying petunias back to life, simply remove the caterpillars by hand.