Orange petunias offer a burst of unique and vibrant color, making them a captivating addition to any garden or container display. Their cheerful hues, ranging from soft peach to deep tangerine, create a striking visual impact that stands out among more traditional petunia shades. These flowers are highly sought after by gardeners looking to introduce something distinctive and lively into their landscapes.
The Controversial Origin of Orange Petunias
A true orange color does not naturally occur in petunias. The brilliant orange shades seen today are the result of scientific advancements in genetic engineering. In 1987, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, led by geneticist Peter Meyer, successfully introduced a gene from maize into petunias. This specific gene, identified as A1 or A1-DFR, enables the petunia plant to produce pelargonidin, a pigment responsible for the salmon to orange coloration. This marked a significant achievement as it was the first time flower color had been modified using a transgene.
Despite their scientific origin, these genetically engineered petunias were not initially commercialized through official channels. Instead, they unknowingly entered the horticultural trade and were sold for many years across various regions. The genetic modification remained largely undetected by regulatory bodies until 2015, when a botanist in Helsinki, Teemu Teeri, discovered the altered genetic makeup of some orange petunias. This discovery triggered a widespread regulatory response in 2017, leading to recalls and bans in the United States, Canada, and European countries.
Regulatory agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) became aware of the unauthorized distribution in the spring of 2017. Growers and retailers were directed to remove and destroy the affected plants from the market. Following extensive evaluation and a petition from a German breeding company, the USDA deregulated specific orange petunia varieties designated as A1-DFR in 2021. This decision was based on a Plant Pest Risk Assessment, which concluded that these varieties were unlikely to pose a plant pest risk to agricultural crops or other plants. Canada had previously deregulated them in 2018, determining they posed no greater environmental risk than conventional petunias.
Cultivation and Care Guide
Orange petunias thrive with ample sunlight, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sun exposure daily. They prefer well-draining soil, which helps prevent root rot. Incorporating organic matter into the soil can enhance drainage and nutrient availability.
Consistent moisture is beneficial for these plants, requiring regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. During periods of intense heat or drought, petunias in containers may need daily watering. Regular fertilization is also recommended, especially for container-grown plants, as they are heavy feeders. Applying a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks or a slow-release granular fertilizer can promote continuous blooming throughout the growing season.
Newer orange petunia varieties are often self-cleaning, meaning they do not require constant deadheading to encourage new blooms. However, a light trim or occasional pruning in mid-season can refresh the plant’s appearance and stimulate a new flush of flowers, prolonging their display. This maintenance helps them maintain a tidy habit and bloom from spring until the first frost.
Popular Orange Varieties to Plant
Several distinctive orange petunia cultivars are available, each offering unique shades and growth habits for various garden applications. ‘Supertunia Persimmon’ presents a captivating coral-pink hue with noticeable orange undertones and bright yellow centers. This variety exhibits a mounding to trailing habit, making it suitable for both garden beds and spilling from hanging baskets or containers, typically reaching 10 to 12 inches tall with a spread of up to 24 inches.
‘Potunia Plus Papaya’ delivers a rich, tomato-orange or salmon-orange color that adds warmth to any planting. It forms a compact, mounded shape, growing to approximately 12 inches in both height and width, making it an excellent choice for pots or as a colorful filler in mixed arrangements. Another notable option is ‘SuperCal Premium Sunset Orange,’ a hybrid known for its resilience. This petchoa, a cross between petunias and calibrachoas, displays a blend of golden yellow and orange shades, offering a sunset-like appearance. It has a mounding to trailing habit, reaching heights of 14 to 22 inches and spreading 14 to 32 inches, performing well in various conditions and containers.