Do They Come Back Every Year? That depends on where you live. Calibrachoa is perennial in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, so it will continue to grow through the winter. For those of us in cooler zones, calibrachoa performs as an annual.
Can Calibrachoa survive winter?
Tender, new growth is less likely to survive cold weather, so it's vital to stop feeding calibrachoa in late summer so any new shoots and leaves have time to harden before temperatures dip. Moist soil stays warmer than dry soil, which will help the calibrachoa plants withstand the damaging effects of cold.
Can you cut back Calibrachoa?
Calibrachoa(Calibrachoaspp.), better known as million bells, is a blooming annual and top performer in the garden, as well as in hanging baskets and window boxes. If your million bells plants begin to lose their vigor and become leggy despite your care, pinching or cutting backmight be necessary.
What is a Calibrachoa?
Commonly called million bells or trailing petunias, calibrachoa (Calibrachoa x hybrida) is grown for its brilliantly colored flowers, which make it one of the most popular annual garden flowers.
How do you take care of Calibrachoa Calibrachoa?
Calibrachoa like even moisture, but to almost dry out between waterings. It’s helpful to make sure your soil is well-drained and, if using a container, that it has good drainage. Calibrachoa that are overwatered are prone to root rot. Let the soil dry to two inches, then water deeply.
Will calibrachoa come back after winter?
In USDA zones 7 and 8, before temperatures drop to freezing, cut back your calibrachoa with a lawnmower set on its highest setting. Mound 4 to 6 inches of loose mulch, such as straw, shredded leaves or pine needles, over the entire garden bed. The plants will come back in spring when warm weather arrives.
Can calibrachoa survive winter?
The plant nursery Proven Winners classifies calibrachoa as very difficult to overwinter so it is generally grown as an annual, although it can be kept alive during the winter months in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, where it grows perennially.
Is calibrachoa a perennial or annual?
annualCalibrachoa is a popular garden annual that blooms continuously from planting until frost and is ideal for containers, hanging baskets, or raised beds.
How do you keep calibrachoa over the winter?
Place in a container with fresh potting soil and transport to a cool space that stays above freezing – a garage should do nicely. Cut back the stems to about 2 inches (5 cm.) above the soil and water sparingly during the winter months.
How do you save in calibrachoa?
Calibrachoa Requires Full Sun More hours of sun also help to reduce the risk of root rot through increased evaporation and ensure the plant is healthy so it is more resistant to disease. Move pots and containers to an area of full sun and locate hanging baskets in a sunny location to help revive calibrachoa.
Will calibrachoa rebloom?
Known for producing an abundance of colorful flowers from June until frost, calibrachoa does not require deadheading for continued bloom production. These plants can be picky about the amount of daylight they receive and the temperature they like, but can easily be encouraged to bloom with some minor adjustments.
Can you plant calibrachoa in the ground?
It's also a fast grower and quickly reaches toward the ground as a "spiller" when grown as a container plant. Because of its trailing habit, it looks great in hanging baskets, bowls, or mixed containers. It also works well planted in-ground as a border plant.
Should calibrachoa be cut back?
Calibrachoa is self-cleaning and the spent flowers do not need regular pinching back or deadheading. If your plant has become overgrown or leggy and has stopped blooming, it needs to be trimmed back. Cutting calibrachoa back will encourage new growth and the production of more blossoms.
Should you deadhead calibrachoa?
Deadheading this plant is not required, as it is considered to be self-cleaning, meaning the spent flowers readily drop following bloom. You can, however, pinch Calibrachoa back regularly to encourage a more compact growth habit.
Can you keep annuals in pots over winter?
A: A few so-called annuals go dormant over winter and survive in an unheated garage. I've done that myself with 'Black and Blue' salvia, geraniums and agapanthus. I keep the plants in their pots, move the pots into the garage and cut back the foliage once it browns.
Do Superbells grow back every year?
Calibrachoa 'Superbells Red' is a compact, bushy or slightly trailing perennial, usually grown as an annual, boasting masses of brilliant red flowers adorned with a yellow throat from late spring to the first frosts.
How do you save annual plants for next year?
Place the plants in a bright indoor location. Don't expect them to flower as much. Keep them watered and fertilized over the winter. Bring them back outdoors in the spring, after all danger of frost has past and after you have hardened them off.
When was Calibrachoa introduced?
Introduced in the early 1990s, all cultivars of Calibrachoa are hybrids with the original species native to South America. They are prolific bloomers from spring to frost. The plant is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11 and is most commonly grown as an annual in cooler climates or a perennial in mild ones. Click to see full answer.
What does Calibrachoa look like?
Calibrachoa, the Petunia Look-Alike. They look like small petunias, and for years that's what many botanists thought they were. However, in mild-winter areas of California (zones 8, 9, 14-24), Calibrachoa can be grown as a perennial (it's hardy to about 23°).
Can a million bell survive?
Million bells (Calibrachoa spp.) can survive as a perennial in frost-free areas in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. Plants may die back each winter but they can return with a new flush of abundant growth in spring.
Where do calibrachoas grow?
They are native to South America and are hardy in zones 9 to 11, but most gardeners grow calibrachoas as summer annuals. The flowers may be small, but they can pack a punch.
How to keep calibrachoas green?
The soil should feel like a damp sponge before you water again. Calibrachoa are heavy feeders. Use a fertilizer designed to increase flowers – some are labeled as blossom-boosters – and one with iron will help keep the leaves bright green.
What are Calibrachoa superbells?
Please see my full disclosure policy for details. Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells or Superbells, look like miniature petunias, but they are not petunias. They are related to petunias but they are their own species. These sweet little plants are perfect for container gardens, porch pots, patios, and hanging baskets.
Can you plant calibrachoas in potting soil?
Be sure the bag is labeled “potting mix,” not “potting soil.”. Potting soil will be too heavy. Calibrachoas need to be planted in a well-drained medium. Heavy, wet soils can cause root rot. If planting in the ground, wait until the danger of frost has passed and don’t plant until the soil has warmed up to avoid rot.
Planting Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa plants prefer full sun, but can also thrive in partial shade with fewer but longer-lasting flowers. They are ideal container plants, since they love excellent drainage. They can be grown in the ground, but it’s more challenging to offer them the drainage they need.
Watering Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa like even moisture, but to almost dry out between waterings. It’s helpful to make sure your soil is well-drained and, if using a container, that it has good drainage. Calibrachoa that are overwatered are prone to root rot. Let the soil dry to two inches, then water deeply.
Fertilizing Calibrachoa
Calibrachoas love fertilizer. At planting, start with a slow-release fertilizer. Give the plant a diluted liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks throughout the season. Make sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer. If your leaves are turning yellow, the plant may need fertilizer, or possibly more sun.
Pruning Calibrachoas
Deadheading calibrachoas is not required. It’s their superpower. They are called self-cleaning, meaning the spent flowers drop on their own, making them much easier than petunias to care for. They do benefit from pinching back if they become leggy. This can be done any time during the growing season.
Caring For Calibrachoa in Pots
Choose a spot in full to partial sun. They like humidity as well, so partial shade can be helpful in windy or dry areas. Calibrachoa like even moisture, but to almost dry out between waterings. You’ll want to check that the soil is dry to approximately two inches deep before watering deeply. Overwatering can encourage root rot.
Winter Care for Calibrachoa
In zones 9-11 where Calibrachoa are hardy, apply mulch to add warmth to the roots. They dislike being overly wet. If the area gets cooler than about 65 degrees F, stop fertilizing and water less often than during the growing season.
Common Calibrachoa Care Questions
Calibrachoa attracts hummingbirds, bees, and many other helpful insects including butterflies!
What is a Calibrachoa in winter?
How to Care for Calibrachoa in Winter. Commonly called million bells or trailing petunias, calibrachoa (Calibrachoa x hybrida) is grown for its brilliantly colored flowers, which make it one of the most popular annual garden flowers.
How to grow calibrachoa?
Texas A&M Agricultural Extension recommends starting calibrachoa from stem cuttings. Gather a 4- to 6-inch-long softwood or semi-hardwood cutting in early summer and remove the bottom set of leaves.
When to stop feeding Calibrachoa?
Winter care for calibrachoa begins in autumn. Tender, new growth is less likely to survive cold weather, so it's vital to stop feeding calibrachoa in late summer so any new shoots and leaves have time to harden before temperatures dip.
