Window box 2: pretty pink petunia

Petunias belong to the nightshade family and are closely related to tobacco. The wild species stem from South America. The plants grown as bedding plants and in window boxes are complex hybrids (Petunia x atkinsia). The small-flowered types aren't petunias at all they belong to the genus Calibrachoa. The wild colours range from white to deep violet via lilac, cherry red and soft pink. Through genetic alteration and crossbreeding races with cream yellow flowers, orangey and almost black flowers have been created. Yellow and orange are naturally present in Calibrachoa x hybrida  (also known as Million Bells).

A typical bright pink petunia, contrasting heavily with the rusty tones of the metal planter (left). I especially like this combination of veined pink blooms with the deep magenta flowers with a dark eye and the clear white blooms. Some people combine petunias with other plants like Sweet Alison (Lobularia) offsetting the deep magenta flowers and the purple flowers with a white edge (on the right).The slate grey planter tones the bright colours down considerably.