Our Spotlight Series continues to highlight different plants that are a great addition to any garden. Some you may know and others may be completely new to you.
Calibrachoa
Common Names: Million bells, Super bells
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Scientific Name: Calibrachoa hybrid
Zones: 9-11
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Plant Type: Annual
Sun: Full to part Sun
Water: Medium
Bloom Time: Spring through Fall
Bloom Color: Various
Height: 5-10 inches tall
Wildlife: Attracts Hummingbirds
Often mistaken for petunias, calibrachoa are a great annual for sunny containers and gardens. Also called Million bells, calibrachoa have loads of blooms when planted in a sunny location, kept watered and fertilized. They are a great annual for hanging baskets, trailing over pots and spreading out in gardens. With no dead-heading required to keep this flower blooming all summer long, it is hard to go wrong with planting calibrachoa.
Calibrachoa come in a wide variety of colors, both solid colors as well as bicolor blooms and even double-blooms. The great selection of color gives you a lot of options with which ones to choose. Some of our favorites are the Proven Winners Superbells. Colors like Cherry Star, Tequila Sunrise and Blackberry Punch keep the garden interesting.
For the best results, plant your Calibrachoa in a sunny area. Pinch the branches back to encourage the plant to bush out. Fertilize plants with high amounts of phosphorus, the middle number, and of course keep them watered.
