7 Types Of Petunia Flowers Perfect For Every Bouquet

Petunias are one of the most beloved and cheerful flowers, known for their vibrant colours and lovely trumpet-shaped blooms. While many recognise them, few are aware of the wonderful variety available. This guide explores the four main types of petunias: Grandiflora, Multiflora, Milliflora, and Spreading.

Understanding their unique characteristics will help you choose the perfect blooms for a stunning bouquet or a beautiful arrangement to brighten your home. Each type offers a different charm, from large, dramatic flowers to cascades of delicate blossoms.

Knowing these differences is key for florists and flower lovers alike, as it helps in selecting the right type of bloom for the right purpose. Whether you are looking for a grand table centrepiece, a charming mixed bouquet, or a delicate posy, there is a petunia type that is perfectly suited for your vision.

Beyond the four main classifications, creative flower breeders have developed some truly spectacular and unique petunias. These special varieties stand out for their distinctive forms and patterns, making them highly sought after for arrangements that need an extra touch of flair.

1. Grandiflora Petunias

Grandiflora petunias are the drama queens of the petunia world, celebrated for having the largest flowers of all the types. Their magnificent blooms can often reach up to 12 centimetres in diameter, making them an undeniable focal point in any floral arrangement.

The petals are often characterised by their beautifully wavy or ruffled edges, which add a touch of luxury and sophistication. This makes them an excellent choice for moments when you want to make a bold and elegant statement.

These impressive flowers come in a wide spectrum of colours, from pure, single-colour varieties to striking bicolour patterns with contrasting veins or delicate picotee edges.

Because of their substantial size, Grandiflora petunias are wonderfully suited for luxurious bouquets and impressive table centrepieces. Their scale means that you only need a few stems to create a full and impactful look, making them both beautiful and effective in design.

Among the many Grandiflora varieties, a few series are particularly cherished by florists for their reliability and beauty. The 'Dreams' series, for example, is well-known for producing large, uniform blooms in a vast array of colours, including rich reds, pretty pinks, and classic whites. Another notable variety is the 'Supercascade' series, which features stunningly large flowers on stems that have a slight trailing habit. This quality makes them perfect for adding dimension and a gentle drape to a vase arrangement.

2. Multiflora Petunias

If Grandifloras are the showstoppers, then Multiflora petunias are the charming and dependable workhorses. Their flowers are more modest in size, typically measuring around 5 centimetres across, but what they lack in individual size, they more than make up for in sheer quantity. Multiflora plants produce a profusion of blooms, creating a wonderfully full and lush appearance.

This abundance is their key advantage in floral design. A few stems of Multiflora petunias can add significant volume and texture to a bouquet. They work beautifully as filler flowers, nestled amongst larger blooms to create a dense arrangement, or they can be grouped together on their own for a bountiful, textured look. Multiflora blooms are also known for their resilience. 

They hold their shape well, making them a practical and reliable choice for bouquets and arrangements that need to look fresh and lovely for an extended period. They are available in nearly every colour imaginable, from soft, dreamy pastels to deep, rich jewel tones.

Florists often turn to specific Multiflora series for their consistent quality. The 'Carpet' series is known for its compact form and abundance of blooms, making it great for creating dense colour. The 'Celebrity' series is another favourite, praised for its wide palette of colours and unique bicolour patterns that add a splash of visual interest. These varieties are robust and their vibrant flowers bring a cheerful energy to any floral creation.

3. Milliflora Petunias

Milliflora petunias are the smallest and most delicate members of the petunia family. Their name, which means "thousand flowers," hints at their nature. The blooms are tiny, often just 2 to 4 centimetres in diameter, but they appear in incredible numbers, covering the stems in a blanket of colour. Their appeal lies in their dainty and intricate appearance, which brings a unique, fine texture to floral work.

In floristry, Milliflora petunias play a special role. They are perfect for small, detailed arrangements where larger flowers would be overwhelming. Think of delicate posies, buttonholes, or as a charming, frothy accent in a larger, mixed bouquet. When placed in a simple vase, a bunch of Millifloras can create a beautiful, cloud-like effect that is both effortless and enchanting. They add a touch of whimsy and refined detail that other petunia types simply cannot replicate.

The most well-known Milliflora variety is the 'Fantasy' series. This series perfectly embodies the Milliflora charm, with its compact form and a profusion of tiny, captivating blooms. The 'Fantasy' series comes in a wonderful selection of colours and patterns, from soft pinks to deep blues, making them a versatile and much-loved choice for florists who specialise in intricate and detailed floral designs.

4. Spreading (Wave) Petunias

The Spreading petunia is a modern favourite, most famously known by the 'Wave' brand name. This group is distinguished by its unique trailing habit. In a garden setting, they spread across the ground, but for florists, this translates into long, graceful stems that are laden with flowers from top to bottom. This form provides a beautiful sense of movement and flow that is highly desirable in arrangements.

These long, flower-filled stems are fantastic for creating cascading bouquets, where they can spill elegantly downwards. They are also perfect for vase displays, where they can be used to add a beautiful drape over the edge of the container, creating a soft, romantic, and professionally styled look. The flower size of most Spreading petunias is typically somewhere between that of a Multiflora and a Grandiflora, offering a perfect balance of bloom presence and abundance.

The 'Wave' family includes several different series, each with slightly different characteristics. The 'Easy Wave' series is known for being a bit more mounded but still providing a beautiful spread, making it versatile. 

For maximum drama, the 'Tidal Wave' series is unmatched, producing the longest and most vigorous trailing stems. These different habits give florists a wonderful toolkit for creating arrangements with varying levels, dimensions, and flowing lines.

5. Double Bloom Petunias

Double Bloom petunias offer a look of pure luxury. Instead of a single layer of petals, they have a double, or sometimes even triple, layer. This gives the flowers a full, ruffled appearance that is often compared to that of a carnation or a small rose. 

Their lush and romantic feel makes them an ideal choice for wedding bouquets, anniversary arrangements, or any occasion that calls for something exceptionally beautiful and opulent. Series like 'Double Cascade' and 'Pirouette' are popular for their full, frilly blooms.

6. Picotee Petunias

The term 'picotee' refers to a specific and beautiful colour pattern where the edge of the flower's petals is a different colour from the centre. This creates a sharp, clean, and contrasting outline that defines the shape of each bloom. 

This graphic quality makes picotee petunias visually striking. In a mixed bouquet, they draw the eye and add a level of detail and sophistication that sets the arrangement apart.

7. The 'Night Sky' Petunia

No discussion of unique petunias is complete without mentioning the 'Night Sky' petunia. This globally popular variety is truly one-of-a-kind. It features deep, velvety purple petals that are artistically splattered with white spots, creating a pattern that looks just like a galaxy of stars on a clear night. 

Each flower is unique, with a slightly different pattern of "stars." Its extraordinary appearance makes it a novelty flower and a wonderful conversation starter in any floral display.

Choosing Petunia Colours and Their Meanings

Flowers are a wonderful way to convey emotion, and the colour of a petunia can carry its own special message. When selecting flowers for a gift, understanding colour symbolism can add another layer of meaning to your thoughtful gesture.

Purple and Deep Blue Petunias

Shades of purple and deep blue are often associated with enchantment, fantasy, and mystery. A bouquet with these rich tones can express a sense of fascination and charm, making it a wonderful gift for someone unique and captivating.

Pink and Red Petunias

Pink and red are the classic colours of love and affection. Soft pink petunias can symbolise gentle love, femininity, and motherly affection. Deeper reds convey passion, desire, and deep love, making them a perfect choice for a romantic occasion.

White and Yellow Petunias

White petunias are symbols of purity, truth, and spirituality. They bring a sense of peace and sincerity to an arrangement. Bright and cheerful yellow petunias are all about happiness, optimism, and friendship, making them a perfect gift to lift someone's spirits.

Black Petunias

While there is no truly black flower, some petunia varieties come in such a deep, dark purple or burgundy that they appear black. These stunning and dramatic blooms symbolise mystery, power, elegance, and uniqueness. They are for the person who is anything but ordinary.

Using Different Types of Petunias in Floral Arrangements

The true magic happens when you begin to combine the different types of petunias to create a balanced and visually stunning arrangement. For a rich, textured bouquet, try pairing the large, focal blooms of a Grandiflora with the abundant, smaller flowers of a Multiflora. This creates a wonderful mix of statement flowers and delicate fullness.

To add a professional touch to a vase arrangement, incorporate the long stems of Wave petunias. Allow them to arc gracefully outwards or trail over the lip of the vase to create elegant, flowing lines. For those small, intricate details, a few sprigs of tiny Milliflora petunias can be tucked in around the edges of a bouquet to add a final touch of delicate charm.

Conclusion On The Types Of Petunia

From the large and showy Grandiflora to the abundant Multiflora, the tiny Milliflora, and the elegant Spreading Wave petunia, each type offers a unique beauty. Understanding these four main categories helps anyone appreciate the incredible versatility of this beloved flower in creating stunning arrangements. 

These classifications allow you to choose blooms that perfectly match your desired style, whether it is a bold statement or a delicate accent. With their vast range of colours and special varieties, petunias have rightfully earned their place as a favourite choice for bouquets and home decor in Singapore.

If you have any questions or would like to order a beautiful bouquet of flowers, please contact us. To see our stunning floral creations, visit Singapore Florist to find beautiful flowers and bouquets for any occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Types Of Petunia

What Are The Main Types Of Petunias?

The four main types, or classifications, of petunias are Grandiflora (large flowers), Multiflora (many smaller flowers), Milliflora (very small, dainty flowers), and Spreading or Wave (trailing stems with flowers). These categories are based on flower size and the plant's overall form, which influences how they are used in floral arrangements.

What Is The Most Popular Type Of Petunia?

The Spreading 'Wave' petunias are incredibly popular due to their vigorous nature and stunning cascading effect, which is perfect for creating arrangements with flow and movement. The 'Night Sky' petunia, a unique Grandiflora variety, is also extremely popular for its distinctive starry pattern.

Which Petunias Are Best For Cascading Arrangements?

Spreading or 'Wave' petunias are the best choice for creating a cascading effect in bouquets or vase arrangements. Their long, flexible stems are covered in flowers and are specifically designed to trail gracefully, spilling over the edge of a container for a beautiful, draping look.

What Is The Difference Between A Wave Petunia And A Regular Petunia?

A 'Wave' petunia is a specific brand of spreading petunia, whereas "regular petunia" usually refers to the more upright, mounded types like Grandiflora or Multiflora. The main difference is the form; Wave petunias have long, trailing stems designed to spread or cascade, while regular petunias grow in a more contained, bush-like shape.

What Do Different Colour Petunias Mean?

Petunia colours carry different meanings. Pinks and reds often symbolise love and passion. Purples can represent enchantment and charm. White suggests purity and sincerity, while yellow is associated with happiness and friendship. Deep, dark "black" petunias often convey a sense of mystery and uniqueness.

Are Supertunias A Better Choice For Bouquets?

'Supertunia' is another popular brand name for a type of spreading petunia, similar to the 'Wave' series. They are prized for their abundant blooms and excellent performance. For bouquets, both Supertunias and Wave petunias are fantastic choices, especially when you want to add a cascading element or a very full, lush look to an arrangement. The "better" choice often comes down to the specific colour or flower size available.