A Summer Potting Party with Wave Petunias

It was a joy to collaborate with Wave Petunias on this post! What better way to spread the love of gardening than through a no-strings-attached potting party? Thank you Wave for such a wonderful evening shared with new friends at gorgeous venue!

Few parties come without obligation. There’s the “your gift is your attendance but bring a dish” invitation. The graduation party that always involves some sort of cash exchange. The retirement party featuring a cash bar and discounted menu (It’s a thing. We attended one a few years ago.). The shower, baby or wedding, where the invited purchase items selected by the happy couple from their favorite store. All normal things (except the retirement party) that often come with some stress. What should I make/bring? What can I afford? How much should I give?

Then I co-hosted the Wave Petunias Potting Party at The Morton Arboretum recently and something different was in the air…something other than the 17-year cicadas currently dive-bombing the Chicago area.

From the moment the potting party Eventbright link went live on my Instagram story, one thing was clear. Joy and anticipation powered this party. Tickets were free and the event included drinks, hors d’oeurves and Wave Petunias. Lots of Wave Petunias! We even got a sneak peak at their newest introduction to the Wave Petunia family. It won’t be available until 2025 but if you’re into goth gardens or just love a bit of nearly black drama in the garden, you’ll want to see this beauty. More on that in a moment!

OHHH the PLANTS!

The Wave team brought a variety of plants that would work well in the filler, thriller, spiller container garden recipe including three colors from their Easy Wave Petunia collection which maintains a nice tidy growth habit. We chose from white, violet and the newest addition Easy Wave Navy Velour. It’s a dramatic color perfect for adding a touch of mystery. And it’s a sure thing in the currently trending goth garden (short for gothic) where dark and spooky reign. (To learn more about creating your own goth garden, click here.) I especially love it paired with Easy Wave Plum Vein whose lavender petals and dark veining really accentuate Navy Velour’s velvety texture.

Four collections make up the Wave Petunia family – Wave, Tidal Wave, Easy Wave and Shock Wave – to suit any growing situation. They all share vigorous spreading and trailing habits. Perhaps most importantly, at least for someone who LOVES color, there’s a color to suit every taste.

One of my favorite “spiller” plants, Dichondra ‘Silver Falls,’ was a crowd favorite and one I wish I had grabbed sooner as they were gone by the time I started my container. The delicate flowers of Euphorbia ‘Glitz’ from PanAmerican Seed was an option for anyone wanting a mounding airiness, which also worked as a “filler” plant for the recipe. And Juncus ‘Blue Dart’, also from PanAmerican Seed, was simple but perfect for the “thriller” element which added a bit of height to the arrangement. Ultimately, it was up to party-goers how they wanted to design their containers which is what makes container gardening so fun, easy and unique.

No two containers were alike! Proof that you don’t need a huge plant palette to create something wonderful.

As the potting party came to an end, I was struck by the fact that most of us were strangers. A shared love for gardening brought us together. It was an easy party and as you know, not all parties are easy or without obligation. Not all parties are fun either. Conversation flowed. Drinks were poured, small treats nibbled. I have yet to meet a gardener that doesn’t want to talk “shop.” But most importantly, it was fun! AND EASY! There’s that word again. Easy. I like easy.

A Few Tips for Growing Wave Petunias

• Not sure how many plants you need for your space? This planting calculator takes the guesswork out of it.
• To flower their best, Wave Petunias benefit from a weekly dose of water-soluble fertilizer or an application of slow-release fertilizer at planting time. Be sure to follow application instructions for whatever fertilizer you choose.
• Petunias don’t like to dry out. Be sure to check the soil regularly and water as needed.
• Pinching and deadheading, while not always necessary, will help keep your petunias going all summer long. Follow this guide to know how and when to snip.

Final Thoughts

The party inevitably came to an end but it’s just getting started for these containers. If you’re interested in how they mature throughout the growing season, pop on over to Instagram and follow the hashtag #wavepottingparty. Hopefully partygoers will share updates (fingers crossed) so you can see just how lush, colorful and easy Wave Petunias are to grow.

What a joy it was to partner with a Ball Horticultural, an international powerhouse in the plant development world whose brands include Wave Petunias , Beacon Impatiens, Burpee Home Gardens, Darwin Perennials and many more. Family-owned and woman-run, Ball is based in West Chicago, IL, and a hop, skip and a jump from my home. I’ve had the pleasure of touring The Gardens at Ball yearly for more than a decade and continue to come away from every visit amazed and inspired. I hope this post inspires you too!

Thank you, Wave Petunias, for bringing us all together. I’m certain a great time was had by all!