How to Grow Supertunia+ Bordeaux
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Supertunia+ Bordeaux
Petunia × hybrida 'Supertunia+ Bordeaux'
flowerSupertunia+ Bordeaux is a vigorous, mounding petunia cultivar bred for superior performance in landscapes and containers. It features deep burgundy-red flowers with exceptional weather tolerance and disease resistance. This floriferous hybrid blooms continuously from spring through fall with minimal deadheading required.
When should you plant Supertunia+ Bordeaux in your zone?
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Example Supertunia+ Bordeaux timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Supertunia+ Bordeaux
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Supertunia+ Bordeaux blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Supertunia+ Bordeaux dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10 as an annual; perennial in zones 9-11
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate appearance, pale green foliage
Provide bright indirect light, maintain high humidity, water gently to avoid damping off, keep soil warm (70-75°F), avoid transplanting until at least 4-6 true leaves develop
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksBushy, mounding growth with developing branching structure, increasing leaf mass, no flowers yet
Harden off transplants gradually before outdoor planting, pinch growing tips once to encourage bushier form, maintain consistent moisture and full sun, begin balanced fertilization every 2 weeks
Bud Formation
1-2 weeksFlower buds visible at branch tips, compact mounding shape well-established, vigorous foliage growth continues
Switch to higher-phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering, ensure 6-8 hours of direct sun daily, maintain steady water supply, pinching can continue to shape plant
Flowering
8-12 weeks (spring to fall)Abundant burgundy-red blooms covering the plant, continuous flower production, maintained mounding form
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming (though Supertunia+ is self-cleaning), fertilize every 10-14 days with balanced or flower-promoting formula, water consistently as blooming increases water demands, monitor for pests
Decline & Overwintering
4-8 weeksReduced flowering as temperatures drop, foliage may become sparse or discolored in cold climates
Reduce fertilization in fall, allow natural senescence, in zones 9-11 cut back by half in late fall to rejuvenate spring growth, in colder zones treat as annual and allow to frost
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase water spray pressure; encourage beneficial insects; apply systemic insecticide if severe
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Increase humidity through misting; spray with neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin; apply neem oil every 7-10 days; vacuum adults with handheld vacuum
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected flowers and leaves; apply sulfur fungicide; ensure plants are not overcrowded
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Remove and destroy infected plants; control thrips vectors with neem oil or insecticidal soap; no cure once infected
Uses
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftThe long stems and vibrant burgundy-red blooms make Supertunia+ suitable for cutting and arranging in vases with proper stem conditioning. Cut flowers in early morning for best vase life and refrigerate immediately. [source]
Garden Color & Landscape Design
HouseholdSupertunia+ Bordeaux provides continuous, reliable color in beds, borders, and mixed containers throughout the growing season. Its mounding habit makes it ideal for massed plantings, hanging baskets, and container gardens. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and butterflies that feed on nectar. Petunias provide valuable forage resources during peak bloom periods. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalWhile not common, petunias have been used in traditional medicine for their potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]
Edible Flowers (Limited)
CulinaryPetunia flowers are technically edible and can be used as decorative garnish, though they offer minimal nutritional value and have a slightly bitter flavor. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Petunias are not harvested for food, but flowers can be cut for arrangements when fully open. Pinch off spent flowers (deadheading) to extend blooming; Supertunia+ is largely self-cleaning and doesn't require deadheading for continuous blooms. Collect seeds in late summer/early fall by allowing flowers to dry on the plant; seeds develop in pod structures behind spent flowers (though seed viability may be low due to hybrid nature).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Supertunia+ varieties were developed through extensive breeding at universities like University of Georgia to create petunias that thrive in heat, humidity, and rain without constant deadheading—a major improvement over older petunia types.
- 🌱 The deep burgundy color 'Bordeaux' is derived from the wine region of France, reflecting the wine-like hue of its flowers, and this color is particularly attractive to certain pollinator species.
- 🌱 Petunias belong to the Solanaceae family (nightshade family), the same family as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, though petunias are ornamental rather than edible.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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