Do petunias smell good? This is a common question for gardeners choosing their summer color. The answer isn’t simple, as fragrance varies wildly across the many types. While some petunias are famous for their fragrant and colorful blooms, others have no scent at all. Knowing which ones to pick makes all the difference for a garden that pleases both the eyes and the nose.
Do Petunias Smell Good – Fragrant and Colorful Blooms
Let’s clear the air first. Modern grandiflora and multiflora petunias, the types most common in garden centers, are often bred for size, color, and disease resistance. In this process, scent was frequently lost. So if you’ve been disappointed by scentless petunias, you’re not alone. But don’t give up! Many heirloom and specialty varieties have retained their wonderful perfume.
The Best Smelling Petunia Varieties
To enjoy fragrant and colorful blooms, you need to choose the right plants. Here are some top-performing varieties known for their scent.
- Old-Fashioned Petunias: Heirloom types, often with single, trumpet-shaped flowers, usually have the strongest fragrance. Look for names like ‘Old-Fashioned Vining’ or heirloom mixes.
- The ‘Wave’ Series: Specifically, ‘Purple Wave’ and ‘Pink Wave’ are noted for a mild, sweet scent, especially in the evening.
- Petunia ‘Sugar Daddy’: This popular purple variety with dark veins is often reported to have a light, pleasant fragrance.
- Night Sky Petunia: The stunning purple flowers with white speckles can have a subtle sweet smell, more noticeable at dusk.
- Fragrant Cloud Mix: Seed companies like Baker Creek offer mixes specifically selected for their perfume.
Why Scent Matters in Your Garden
A garden’s appeal isn’t just visual. Scent adds a deep layer of experience. Fragrant petunias can turn a patio into a perfumed retreat in the evening. They also attract beneficial pollinators like certain moths and butterflies, adding more life to your space. The scent is typically strongest in the early morning and late evening, as the flowers conserve moisture and volatile oils during the heat of the day.
How to Grow the Most Fragrant Petunias
Getting the best scent from your plants requires proper care. Stress from poor conditions can reduce fragrance. Follow these steps for success.
1. Planting for Success
Choose a location with at least 6 hours of full sun. More sun equals more flowers and often more scent. Ensure the soil is well-draining; petunias hate wet feet. Amend heavy clay soil with compost. When planting, space them properly for good air circulation, which prevents disease.
2. Watering and Feeding Right
Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out. Consistent watering is key—too much drought stresses the plant, dimishing its scent. Feed them regularly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. A phosphorus-rich fertilizer can encourage more blooming.
3. The Pruning Secret
Don’t be afraid to cut them back! Mid-summer, if plants get leggy, shear them by about half. This encourages a flush of new growth and flowers, which are often the most fragrant. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, also promotes continuous flowering.
Designing a Sensory Garden with Petunias
Place fragrant petunias where you can enjoy them. Plant them in containers near seating areas, along walkways, or under windows where the scent can drift inside. Combine them with other night-scented plants like flowering tobacco (Nicotiana) or moonflowers for a magical evening garden effect. The contrast in textures and colors will make your garden stunning.
For hanging baskets, trailing varieties like the ‘Wave’ or ‘Supertunia’ series are excellent. Their cascading habit puts the flowers at nose level when your sitting nearby. Just remember to water baskets frequently, as they dry out fast.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even the best cared for petunias can have issues. Here’s how to keep them healthy and smelling sweet.
- Few Flowers / Weak Scent: Usually caused by insufficient sun or lack of fertilizer. Move them to a sunnier spot and begin a regular feeding schedule.
- Leggy Growth: This is normal by mid-summer. Give them a hard trim and they will bounce back with fresh, fragrant growth.
- Aphids: These tiny pests suck sap and weaken plants. Blast them off with a strong stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Gray Mold (Botrytis): Appears in cool, wet conditions. Improve air flow, avoid overhead watering, and remove affected plant parts.
Starting Petunias from Seed for More Variety
If you want the most unique fragrant types, you’ll often need to start from seed. Many heirloom, fragrant varieties aren’t sold as starts in nurseries. It’s easier than you think.
- Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last frost date. Petunia seeds are tiny; they need light to germinate, so do not cover them with soil.
- Use a sterile seed-starting mix and keep it consistently moist. A humidity dome helps.
- Provide plenty of light once they sprout. A grow light prevents spindly seedlings.
- Transplant seedlings carefully outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm.
FAQ: Your Petunia Scent Questions Answered
Q: Do all petunias have a fragrance?
A: No, not at all. Many modern hybrids have had their scent bred out in favor of other traits. You must seek out varieties known for fragrance.
Q: When is the best time to smell petunias?
A: Their scent is most potent in the early morning and especially in the evening. Heat and sun can cause the aromatic oils to evaporate quickly during the day.
Q: Can I make my petunias more fragrant?
A> You can’t change a plant’s genetics, but optimal care—full sun, proper feeding, and consistent water—ensures it produces as much scent as it’s capable of.
Q: Are there any petunias that smell bad?
A: Generally, no. Some people describe the scent of certain purple petunias as slightly spicy or even musky, but it’s not considered unpleasant. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference.
Q: What’s the difference between scented and unscented petunias?
A: It’s all in the volatile oils produced by the flower. Scented varieties product these aromatic compounds to attract specific pollinators. The lack of scent in others is a result of selective breeding.
Enjoying Your Blooming Success
With the right selection and care, you can absolutely enjoy gardens filled with fragrant and colorful blooms. The key is to seek out the right varieties and give them the simple care they need. Take time to visit specialty nurseries or order seeds from catalogs that highlight fragrance. Your efforts will be rewarded on those warm summer nights when the air is filled with the sweet perfume of your petunias, making all the gardening work truly worth it. Remember to share cuttings or seeds with friends—the joy of a good-smelling flower is something everyone should experience.