Calibrachoa Million Bells

Picture by Proven Winners - Used with permission

Calibrachoa is a bell flower that closely resembles a trailing petunia. Although plants are hardy in Zones 9-11, it is grown as an annual in most of the country. Plants grow into compact mounds 3 to 6 inches tall and spread 20 to 30 inches in a bed. One can easily understand why the plants are called million bells. During the course of their lifespan, hundreds of one-inch, bell-shaped flowers in shades of violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze, and white are produced.  

Some authorities consider calibrachoa and petunia to be the same species. Technically, the only difference is that petunias have 14 chromosomes and calibrachoas have 18. For most of us, the difference is in the size of the flowers. Petunias, generally speaking, have larger flowers than the calibrachoa. What the calibrachoa lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer quantity of blossoms. 

Culture 

Plant calibrachoa in moist, organically rich, well-drained soil. While partial shade is tolerated, flowering is best in full sun. Once established in the landscape, plants are drought tolerant, so little supplemental water will be required for plants in landscape beds. Plants in containers are not drought tolerant, so plan to water frequently if your calibrachoa is in a hanging basket or other container. Calibrachoa tolerates more heat than its cousin, the petunia, and it is hardy to 30°F. No deadheading is needed as spent flowers drop off cleanly. If plants begin looking a bit ragged about midsummer, cut the plants back a bit and fertilize with water-soluble fertilizer. They will respond with new growth and vigor. 

Keeping plants too wet can lead to root rot diseases. Allow the top of the soil to dry before watering again. If plants wilt even though the soil is still damp, they most likely have a root rot problem. Calibrachoa is a heavy feeder, so an application of slow-release fertilizer at planting time will be beneficial. Plants respond well to periodic applications of water-soluble fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20.  

Uses 

Calibrachoa is most often grown in hanging baskets and as a trailer in mixed containers. It is also great as a small area ground cover, in the front of borders, or in rock gardens. Good drainage is essential for best performance. Flowers attract hummingbirds, and plants are pet friendly. 

Although calibrachoa has been around for a long time, it was not until the 1990s that they became popular in the United States. Work in Japan and other places has produced hybrids with a longer season of bloom, more compact habit, larger flowers, improved flower colors, and better disease tolerance than the species. Today we can select from a number of series as Callie, Calimor, Celebration, Colorburst, Liricashowers, Million Bells, Mini Famous, Spring Fling, Starlette, Sunshine, Superbells, Sweet Bells and Sweetheart.

Look for calibrachoa at your favorite garden center. ‘Trailing Blue’, part of the Superbells series marketed by Proven Winners, is available at garden centers that stock Proven Winners. ‘Trailing Blue’ is stunningly beautiful with hundreds of rich, velvety-blue flowers produced on trailing stems throughout the summer. Search it out and include it in your garden this summer, or find any of the other series and enjoy a floriferous rainbow of colorful bell flowers.