Last week I bragged all about Vista® Bubblegum® petunias, and rightly so. They are fantastic! Many of you came out and scooped them all up (we got more… just saying). But today is all about Laura Bush petunias. If you haven’t yet heard of these, they are just as fabulous. Laura Bush petunias are a delightful addition to any garden, boasting not only stunning beauty but also impressive hardiness. These lovely flowers are known for their ability to thrive in our hot, Texas climates. (Featured photo courtesty TAMU)

All about Laura Bush Petunias

Laura Bush petunias were developed when Greg Grant crossed the pollen of the V.I.P. petunia with an old fashioned white petunia. They were developed specifically for their heat and disease resistance. This cross of the two plants resulted in the vibrant and gorgeous Laura Bush petunias with a violet-magenta hue that practically glows against the dark green foliage. See more about their development at this article. 

These incredible petunias add a pop of color to any outdoor space. Their cascading growth habit, make them perfect for hanging baskets, containers, or as a groundcover in flower beds. Average mature growth is 24″ T x 36″ wide.

Besides their heat tolerance and extreme beauty, another remarkable characteristic of Laura Bush petunias is their ability to reseed. This means that once planted they can self-sow and produce new plants in the following growing seasons, providing a continuous display of blooms.

Care for Laura Bush Petunias

To grow Laura Bush petunias successfully, place them in an area that receives plenty of sunlight. They need at least 6-8 hours a day. These flowers thrive in well-draining, rich, fertile soil, whether planting them in the ground or in pots. Adding plenty of organic material to your planting mixes will help you achieve this.

To keep these petunias growing vibrantly through the heat, regular watering is necessary, especially during dry spells. Soil should be consistently moist but not waterlogged. While Laura Bush petunias are relatively low-maintenance, pruning them back by about 20% each month will promote bushier growth and prevent legginess, resulting in a fuller display of blooms.

With proper care and attention, these beautiful flowers will bloom for you from April to first frost. That’s a lot of flowers, y’all! There’s many reasons these beauties are on the Texas Superstar list. Reward yourself with a long season of blooms with Laura Bush petunias. And remember, once this blog gets out, they’ll go fast. But we’ll keep bringing them in whenever we can get them from our growers.

~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy