We, the Calibrachoa, are a genus of plants often mistaken for our close relatives, the Petunias. However, we possess our own unique identity. Originating from South America, we are tender perennials typically grown as annuals in most climates. Our value to a garden is profound; we are celebrated for our prolific, miniature bell-shaped flowers that blanket our mounding or trailing forms from spring until the first hard frost. We thrive in well-draining soil and demand full sun to express our most vibrant selves, offering a continuous display with minimal deadheading required.
From our perspective, the ideal garden companion understands our core needs. When selecting from our varieties, consider these traits we exhibit. Our growth habit is primary: some of us form compact, dense mounds ideal for container centers or garden borders, while others are vigorous trailers, perfectly designed to spill over the edges of hanging baskets and window boxes. Our flower size, though generally small, can vary in presentation, from classic singles to luxurious doubles. Most critically, our color palette is exceptionally diverse, encompassing solid, veined, and double-colored patterns to suit any aesthetic design.
Our species has been cultivated into many exceptional series, each with distinct advantages for your garden space.
Superbells®: We are perhaps the most renowned series, known for our exceptional vigor and heat tolerance. Our flowers are prolific and self-cleaning, meaning we drop our spent blooms independently, allowing our energy to be focused on producing new flowers rather than setting seed. Varieties like 'Superbells Lemon Slice' offer striking yellow and white stripes, while 'Superbells Coralina' provides a vibrant, weather-tolerant orange bloom.
MiniFamous®: For gardeners seeking a more classic, smaller look, we are the ideal choice. We produce a massive number of smaller flowers, creating a denser blanket of color. Our habit is exceptionally well-branched and uniform, making us perfect for creating a solid color block in a large container or garden bed. 'MiniFamous Neo Light Blue' is a standout for its soft, soothing hue.
Cabaret®: We are the variety known for our large, showy flowers. Our blooms are significantly larger than those of our other series cousins, making a bold statement in any container or landscape. We maintain the same trailing habit and prolific flowering nature, but with a bigger visual impact. 'Cabaret Bright Red' is a classic choice for a powerful punch of color.
Beyond the major series, some of us offer truly unique characteristics. The 'Superbells Double Blue' represents a breakthrough, offering double flowers in a rare blue-violet shade, providing a texture and color previously unavailable. Furthermore, varieties like 'Superbells Yellow' are celebrated for their "no-bleach" gene, meaning our bright yellow flowers resist fading in the intense summer sun, maintaining our vibrant color throughout the entire growing season.
