Surfinias, also known as trailing petunias, are a popular choice for gardens and hanging baskets due to their beautiful cascading growth habit and vibrant colors. Many people wonder whether these stunning plants are perennials, meaning they would come back year after year, or if they need to be replanted each season.
To answer this question, it’s important to understand the life cycle of Surfinias. These plants are typically grown from cuttings or new plants rather than from seeds. This means that they are not typically grown from a mature plant that would naturally go through a complete life cycle.
Surfinias are technically classified as tender perennials, which means that they can survive for multiple years in mild climates but are not able to withstand harsh winters. In areas with mild winters, Surfinias may be able to survive and continue growing for several years, providing a longer-lasting display of their beautiful blooms.
However, in colder climates where temperatures drop below freezing during the winter, Surfinias are often treated as annuals. This means that they are replanted each year to ensure continuous flowering throughout the growing season. In these regions, Surfinias are typically grown as summer bedding plants or in containers that can be brought indoors during the colder months.
My personal experience with Surfinias has been that they do not survive the winter in my garden, which is located in a region with cold winters. I always replant them each spring to enjoy their vibrant colors throughout the summer. However, I have heard from gardeners in milder climates that they have been able to successfully overwinter Surfinias and enjoy their beauty for multiple years.
It’s worth noting that while Surfinias are not true perennials in the traditional sense, they can be treated as such by taking some precautions. In areas with mild winters, you can try protecting Surfinias from frost by covering them with a layer of mulch or moving them to a sheltered location. This may increase their chances of surviving and regrowing in the following year.
While Surfinias are technically tender perennials, their ability to survive and come back year after year depends on the climate they are grown in. In colder regions, they are often treated as annuals and replanted each season, while in milder climates, they may be able to survive and provide a longer-lasting display of their beautiful blooms.
