Petunia × atkinsiana
The hybrid garden petunia grown for its colourful, trumpet-shaped blooms
Petunia × atkinsiana is a hybrid petunia widely grown in gardens and containers for its showy flowers. Created from crosses between P. axillaris and P. integrifolia, it produces blooms in a wide range of colours and forms, making it a popular choice for bedding, baskets, and window boxes.
- Hybrid between P. axillaris and P. integrifolia
- Flowers come in many colours and sizes
- Grows well in containers and baskets
- Blooms from spring through summer
- Some types have a sweet, evening scent
What does Petunia × atkinsiana look like?
Petunia × atkinsiana is a bushy, flowering plant with soft, green leaves and a spreading habit. Its trumpet-shaped flowers can be large or small, with some types reaching up to 10 cm across. The blooms come in many colours, including pink, purple, blue, red, white, yellow, and mixes of these. Some flowers have a contrasting edge, known as picotee. Many have a gentle, sweet scent, especially in the evening.
Where does Petunia × atkinsiana come from?
This petunia hybrid was first raised in England in the 1830s by crossing P. axillaris, which has white, fragrant flowers, with P. integrifolia, known for its violet blooms. The hybrid did not become widely grown until the late 20th century, when it spread to gardens around the world. Its parent species are native to South America, but the hybrid itself is a product of horticultural breeding.
When and how Petunia × atkinsiana blooms
Petunia × atkinsiana grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Seeds sprout in about one to two weeks. Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings, and are suited to beds, baskets, and containers. Regular watering and removing old flowers help keep them blooming. They thrive in warm weather and reach their peak in late spring and summer.
How Petunia × atkinsiana is used
These petunias are popular for brightening up gardens, patios, and balconies. They are often planted in borders, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Their long flowering season and range of colours make them a favourite for both home gardeners and public displays. Some varieties are also used as cut flowers in small arrangements.
Kinds of Petunia × atkinsiana
There are several main groups: grandiflora types have the largest flowers but are more delicate in rain; multiflora types have smaller, tougher blooms; milliflora are the tiniest, about 2.5 cm across; and spreading types cover ground quickly. Cultivars come in many colours and patterns, including those with two-toned or edged petals.
What Petunia × atkinsiana means
Petunia × atkinsiana is widely grown for its decorative value rather than for symbolic meaning. It is a staple in summer gardens and is often featured in public plantings and floral displays. Some cultivars have been recognised for their garden performance by horticultural societies.
Where Petunia × atkinsiana is used and seen
Questions people ask about Petunia × atkinsiana
Where does Petunia × atkinsiana come from?
This hybrid was first developed in England in the 1830s by crossing two South American petunia species. It became popular in gardens worldwide much later.
What does Petunia × atkinsiana look like?
It is a bushy plant with trumpet-shaped flowers that vary in size and colour. Blooms can be pink, purple, blue, red, white, yellow, or combinations, and some have a contrasting edge.
How is Petunia × atkinsiana used?
It is mainly grown for decoration in gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. Its long-lasting, colourful flowers make it a favourite for brightening outdoor spaces.
Does Petunia × atkinsiana have a scent?
Many varieties have a light, sweet fragrance, especially noticeable in the evening, inherited from one of its parent species.
Are there different types of Petunia × atkinsiana?
Yes, there are grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora, and spreading types, each with different flower sizes and growth habits.
Good reading and sources
- Petunia × atkinsiana 'Storm Lavender'Royal Horticultural Society, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Petunia × atkinsiana on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Petunia × atkinsiana", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
Others in the family Solanaceae
The whole family
Thorn-appleDatura stramonium
A poisonous, night-blooming plant with trumpet-shaped white or violet flowers
🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower
Datura
A group of trumpet-shaped, highly toxic flowering plants in the nightshade family
🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower
Nicotiana
The tobacco plant genus, grown for leaves and garden flowers worldwide
Nicotiana · Wildflower
Petunia
A South American garden flower with trumpet-shaped blooms in many colours
Petunia · Garden flower
More from China
All the flowers of China
PeachPrunus persica
A flowering fruit tree from China, grown for its pink blossoms and sweet fruit
🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering tree
Common sunflowerHelianthus annuus
A tall annual plant grown for its large yellow flower heads and edible seeds
🇨🇦 Canada and 4 more · Wildflower
PomegranatePunica granatum
A shrub with bright red flowers and a fruit full of edible seeds
🇮🇷 Iran and 9 more · Flowering shrub
ApricotPrunus armeniaca
A small fruit tree with early white to pink blossoms and golden-orange fruit
🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Flowering tree