I've just moved from 6b planting zone to 9a. I've had 6 large planter pots across my back deck in full sun with petunias at both of my homes. In the 6b zone I would plant them from 4-6 inch pots or flats on June 15th (never before) after, hopefully, the last snow. They would bloom beautifully all summer long with minimal care needed; a little dead-heading, a couple miracle-grow shots. The pots would fill abundantly with lovely multi-colored flowers hanging all the way to the ground by mid July. Stunning! Bloom would usually be done by mid to end of September with the first cold bite. My new home this year in 9a. It's been a continual fight of aphids all summer long every 2-3 weeks with soapy water, store-bought remedies...I've tried everything. After each treatment, the plants lost their blooms and would look bare for a week or two, then abundant blooms would appear again (with aphids). It was cyclical. It's Nov 20th in 9a zone. We've had several frosts and the flowers and leaves still look good. I've read petunias may be perennial in this zone. We'll see. If they do, I may keep them, otherwise, any ideas on another full sun flower that doesn't have the pest problem?
I've just moved from 6b planting zone to 9a. I've had 6 large planter pots across my back deck in full sun with petunias at both of my homes. In the 6b zone I would plant them from 4-6 inch pots or flats on June 15th (never before) after, hopefully, the last snow. They would bloom beautifully all summer long with minimal care needed; a little dead-heading, a couple miracle-grow shots. The pots would fill abundantly with lovely multi-colored flowers hanging all the way to the ground by mid July. Stunning! Bloom would usually be done by mid to end of September with the first cold bite. My new home this year in 9a. It's been a continual fight of aphids all summer long every 2-3 weeks with soapy water, store-bought remedies...I've tried everything. After each treatment, the plants lost their blooms and would look bare for a week or two, then abundant blooms would appear again (with aphids). It was cyclical. It's Nov 20th in 9a zone. We've had several frosts and the flowers and leaves still look good. I've read petunias may be perennial in this zone. We'll see. If they do, I may keep them, otherwise, any ideas on another full sun flower that doesn't have the pest problem?