There is no doubt that the new Supertunia Tiara petunias have triggered the excitement meter for the new plants of 2025. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Supertunia Tiara Pink that is truly a "holy wow" new introduction. But there is a partner named Supertunia Tiara Blue that will take your breath away.

Tiara Blue will reach about 12 inches tall with a 24-inch spread and the ability to trail 36 inches. This is similar to the description of Tiara Pink. Tiara Blue will get there but Tiara Pink is a little faster. Kimberly Smith, master gardener and owner of Smiths Country Gardens in Taylorsville, Indiana, has shown this is absolutely no worry.

Kimberly says: “Tiara Blue Supertunia is a mound of brilliant color. This plant, like other Supertunias, will be a favorite for gardeners in years to come.”

On the Smiths Country Gardens Facebook page, which I heartily recommend, she demonstrated the ability of Supertunia Tiara Blue grown as a monoculture or single species in a large container, sized up to perfection. Speaking of perfection, Penn State University’s early July ratings show Tiara Blue with a perfect score!

Proven Winners calls the Supertunia Tiara Blue color to be vivid violet blue. You’ll notice throughout the day that you will see a rich blue then a couple hours later a violet and of course always with a white center, which makes the plant so intriguing. You will agree that no matter the color shown, it is a perfect partner for Tiara Pink.

The Garden Guy was seeing true blue the day of his planting. So I chose to go complementary and picked out Superbells Dreamsicle calibrachoa as a partner. The container was a tall red self-watering AquaPot with a Pygmy date palm as the thriller plant. The Supertunia Tiara Blue petunia and Superbells Dreamsicle calibrachoa would act as both filler and spiller. To be honest, I love the combination.

At the Young’s Plant Farm Annual Garden Tour in Auburn, Alabama, they had showy baskets of single colors but also creative raised bed combinations. In one particular bed, they had Tiara Blue with a light pink or apricot vinca, which contrasted superbly. Son James and the Eden Estate Management team used it in Phenix City, Alabama, in a raised bed with Orange and Red Zesty Zinnias and Gold Mound duranta. The day I was there, the Tiara Blue was intensely blue and creating a sizzling partnership.

Like all Supertunias, fertile well-drained soil is the rigor of the day. Wet boggy soil is the enemy of the day. This tells you why container gardening is so easy. But on the other hand the commercial landscape crews have taught us all that raised beds with prepared mixes are just as easy.

Feeding is paramount, even more so in containers and baskets that are getting watered every day. Many of us have had some weeks this summer where we watered twice a day. The nutrients are quick to leach out in such circumstances. I feed every 2 to 3 weeks with a water-soluble mix that I pour out of the watering can with a spout. Those in the ground can be fed with controlled release granules per your label recommendation.

The next trick is cutting back. In the South most of us have been cutting back more often this year. Usually, we have done a late July or early August trim. June’s oven-like temperatures brought out the shears a little sooner. I have to admit it was a good feeling to see so many gardeners putting up a good fight this summer. I suspect we will all be talking about this in the years to come.

Next year will be a banner year for new varieties and the Supertunia Tiara Blue and Tiara Pink will become must-have plants.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)

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