How to Grow Supertunia Bordeaux

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Supertunia Bordeaux

Petunia × hybrida 'Supertunia Bordeaux'

flower

Supertunia Bordeaux is a vigorous, hybrid petunia cultivar prized for its deep burgundy-wine colored flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This mounding variety produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and is ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and landscape plantings. It's a heat-tolerant, low-maintenance annual that flowers prolifically with minimal deadheading required.

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Example Supertunia Bordeaux timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Supertunia Bordeaux
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Supertunia Bordeaux blooms
Around May 22

≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Supertunia Bordeaux dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when top inch of soil is dry. In containers, may require daily watering in hot weather. Reduce watering frequency in cooler months.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 35-50 days to first blooms

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds or plant transplants at same depth as container; seeds need light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or peat moss Perlite for drainage Slow-release balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-11; best performance in zones 5-10

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

7-14 days

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves emerging; delicate and light green in color

Maintain high humidity and consistent moisture. Provide bright, indirect light. Keep soil temperature around 70-75°F. Avoid waterlogging to prevent damping-off disease.

Vegetative Growth

2-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems and bushy foliage; becoming stockier and more branched

Pinch back growing tips when 3-4 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Maintain consistent watering and fertilize every 1-2 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Ensure 6+ hours of sunlight daily.

Flowering Initiation

1-2 weeks

First flower buds appear at branch tips; plant begins producing characteristic deep burgundy blooms

Increase phosphorus fertilizer to support blooming. Continue deadheading spent flowers for continuous blooming, though Supertunia is self-cleaning. Maintain even moisture.

Peak Blooming

8-12 weeks

Abundant deep burgundy flowers covering the plant; plant appears as a mound of color

Continue regular watering and weekly feeding with bloom-promoting fertilizer. Remove any yellowing foliage. Monitor for pests and diseases. Deadheading extends blooming, though not strictly necessary.

Season End/Frost Sensitivity

Variable, until first frost

Foliage and flowers decline as temperatures drop below 50°F; plant may collapse with hard frost

Enjoy the plant until first frost. In frost-prone areas, bring container plants indoors or plan for replacement. No winter survival outdoors in zones below zone 11.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dusty Miller Silver ponyfoot Calibrachoa Bacopa Diascia Ivy-leaved geranium Sweet potato vine Ornamental grasses White alyssum Heuchera

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Cabbage family plants (in same container may compete for nutrients)

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days. Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring. Increase air circulation around plants.
Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Apply neem oil or miticide if infestation occurs. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Hand-pick caterpillars when visible. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for large infestations. Remove affected flower buds.
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
and
Remove debris and mulch where they hide. Set beer traps or use copper tape around containers. Apply diatomaceous earth around base.

Uses

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Edible flowers for garnish

Culinary

Petunia flowers are edible and can be used to garnish desserts, salads, and beverages, adding color and a slightly sweet flavor. Ensure no pesticides have been applied before consuming. [source]

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Container and landscape color

Household

Supertunia Bordeaux's deep burgundy blooms provide dramatic color for patios, decks, hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden beds from late spring through frost. Its mounding habit makes it ideal for spilling over container edges. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, supporting pollinator populations throughout the growing season. [source]

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Fresh cut flowers

Craft

Supertunia Bordeaux flowers can be cut for small arrangements and bouquets, providing fresh color indoors for several days when stems are properly conditioned. [source]

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Traditional herbal uses

Medicinal

Petunias have been used in traditional herbalism for minor throat irritation and respiratory support, though scientific evidence is limited. Use only if organically grown without pesticides. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming, though Supertunia Bordeaux is relatively self-cleaning. Pinch off wilted blooms at the base. Cut stems for arrangements when flowers are freshly opened. The plant will flower continuously from planting until frost.

Fun Facts

🌱 Supertunia is a registered trademark of Proven Winners, indicating it's a patented hybrid cultivar bred specifically for superior disease resistance and continuous flowering compared to older petunia varieties.
🌱 The deep burgundy color 'Bordeaux' is named after the wine region in France, reflecting the rich, wine-like hue of the flowers; petunias come in virtually every color except true blue.
🌱 Petunias are native to South America and belong to the Solanaceae family (nightshades), the same family as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, though they have no culinary edibility beyond ornamental flower use.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid pH Pinch Back True Leaves

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