Calibrachoa (Million Bells)

What is Special about Calibrachoa?

Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, has several special characteristics that make it a favorite among gardeners:

Prolific blooms: Calibrachoa is known for producing a profusion of small, petunia-like flowers that bloom continuously from spring to fall, providing an extended season of color in the garden.

Wide range of colors: The flowers come in a vast array of colors, including red, pink, purple, yellow, white, and even bi-colored or patterned varieties, making it easy to find the perfect match for any garden theme or color scheme.

Trailing growth habit: Calibrachoa has a trailing growth habit, which makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers. Its cascading foliage and flowers create a stunning visual impact.

Low maintenance: Calibrachoa is self-cleaning, meaning it does not require deadheading to promote further blooming. Additionally, it is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making it an easy-to-care-for plant.

Attracts pollinators: Calibrachoa flowers are known to attract various pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, contributing to a thriving garden ecosystem and promoting biodiversity.

Versatility: The plants can be used in various garden settings, including as a groundcover, in borders, or in combination with other plants as companion plants, providing texture and color contrasts.

These special features make it an appealing choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, versatile, and long-blooming plant that adds vibrant color to the garden.

What is the Difference between Petunia and Calibrachoa?

Both Petunia and Calibrachoa belong to the Solanaceae family and have similar appearances. However, they differ in several aspects:

Size: Calibrachoa flowers are generally smaller than petunias, often resembling miniature petunias.

Growth habit: Calibrachoa has a trailing growth habit, making it suitable for hanging baskets and containers, while petunias can have a more upright or spreading habit.

Maintenance: Calibrachoa doesn’t require deadheading, while petunias often benefit from it to encourage continuous blooming.

Disease resistance: Calibrachoa is generally more resistant to diseases and pests compared to petunias.

Landscaping with Calibrachoa

Landscaping with Calibrachoa can provide vibrant colors and texture to your garden, as well as versatility in design. Here are some ideas for incorporating this plant into your landscape:

Hanging baskets and containers: Utilize Calibrachoa’s trailing growth habit by planting it in hanging baskets, window boxes, or containers. The cascading foliage and flowers create a stunning visual impact, adding color and interest to patios, porches, or balconies.

Ground cover: Plant in large drifts as a colorful ground cover in your garden beds. Its dense growth habit can help suppress weeds, and its long blooming period ensures a season-long display of color.

Border edging: Use the plants to edge your garden borders or pathways. The low-growing and spreading nature of the plant makes it an ideal choice for softening hard edges and adding a pop of color.

Mixed plantings: Combine with other annuals, perennials, or shrubs in mixed plantings. This can create an interesting display of textures, colors, and forms. Pair with plants that have complementary growth habits and color schemes, such as petunias, verbena, or coleus.

Rock gardens and slopes: Calibrachoa can be an excellent choice for rock gardens or sloping areas where its trailing growth habit can provide a cascading effect, as well as help with erosion control.

Attract pollinators: Plant in your garden to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity and a healthy garden ecosystem.

When landscaping with Calibrachoa, remember to consider its cultural requirements, such as well-draining soil, consistent moisture, and full sun to partial shade. Provide the right conditions, and Calibrachoa will reward you with a vibrant, long-lasting display of color.

Calibrachoa Companion Plants

Calibrachoa can be paired with a variety of companion plants to create a visually appealing and dynamic garden. Here are some excellent companion plants:

Petunias: Both trailing and upright petunias make great companions, as they share similar growing requirements and produce a profusion of colorful blooms.

Verbena: Trailing verbena varieties add texture and a complementary color palette to Calibrachoa plantings, creating a stunning mixed container or hanging basket display.

Lobelia: Lobelia’s delicate, cascading foliage and small flowers pair well with the bolder blooms of Calibrachoa, creating a balanced and harmonious display.

Bacopa: With its small, dainty flowers and trailing growth habit, Bacopa is an excellent partner in containers or garden beds.

Lantana: Lantana’s clusters of brightly colored flowers add interest and contrast to Calibrachoa plantings, and both plants are heat and drought-tolerant.

Geraniums: The rounded growth habit and large flowers of geraniums work well with Calibrachoa, providing structure and color contrast in mixed plantings.

Nemesia: The colorful, delicate blooms of Nemesia can create a stunning and complementary display when paired with Calibrachoa.

Ornamental grasses: The fine, wispy foliage of ornamental grasses like Carex or Festuca can provide an attractive contrast to the bold colors and mounding habit of Calibrachoa.

When choosing companion plants for Calibrachoa, consider their growing requirements, such as sun exposure, water needs, and soil preferences, to ensure that all plants in the combination will thrive together. Mixing different colors, textures, and growth habits will create a visually appealing and dynamic garden display.

Growing Tips

To help your plants thrive, follow these growing tips:

Sunlight: Calibrachoa prefers full sun to partial shade. Aim for at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best growth and blooming.

Soil: Plant in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, amend it with organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, to improve drainage.

Watering: Calibrachoa prefers consistent moisture but does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, and then water thoroughly. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than those in the ground.

Fertilization: Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to promote continuous blooming throughout the growing season. Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer applied according to package instructions.

Pruning: If your plants become leggy or overgrown, trim them back by one-third to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.

Pest and disease control: Monitor your plants for common pests such as aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. To prevent fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering.

Overwintering: In colder climates, Calibrachoa is treated as an annual, but you can bring container-grown plants indoors for the winter. Place them in a sunny window and reduce watering to allow the plant to enter dormancy. Alternatively, take cuttings in late summer to propagate new plants for the following year.

By following these growing tips, you can enjoy vibrant, healthy plants throughout the growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do million bells need deadheading?

Million bells (Calibrachoa) are self-cleaning, meaning they do not require deadheading. The spent blooms will drop on their own, and the plant will continue to produce new flowers.

Are million bells easy to grow?

Yes, million bells are relatively easy to grow. They are low-maintenance plants that require minimal care. Provide well-draining soil, adequate sunlight, and regular watering to keep them healthy and blooming.

Are million bells hardy?

Million bells are not very hardy; they are typically grown as annuals in most climates. They are cold-sensitive and cannot tolerate frost. In USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, they may survive as perennials if protected from colder temperatures.

Do million bells come back every year?

In colder climates (below USDA Zone 9), million bells are treated as annuals and will not come back every year. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11), they can act as perennials if protected from frost and cold temperatures.

Can million bells take full sun?

Yes, million bells can take full sun. They prefer at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming. However, they can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates where the afternoon sun might be too intense.