Easy Wave, Shock Wave, and Tidal Wave Petunias blooming in hanging baskets – best petunia seeds for vibrant summer displays

The Best Petunias for Hanging Baskets: Easy Wave vs. Shock Wave vs. Tidal Wave

When it comes to vibrant, full hanging baskets, few flowers compare to the beauty and performance of Wave® Petunias. Known for their vigorous growth, wide range of colors, and unmatched garden performance, the Wave series has become a staple in nurseries, garden centers, and home gardens alike.

But not all Wave Petunias are the same. Within the series, you’ll find three popular categories—Easy Wave, Shock Wave, and Tidal Wave—each bred with slightly different habits and strengths. Understanding these differences can help gardeners and growers choose the best petunias for hanging baskets, patio planters, or resale in smaller containers.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Easy Wave vs. Shock Wave vs. Tidal Wave, explain their growth habits, and highlight care tips to get the best results. Whether you’re a home gardener looking to brighten up your porch or a nursery producing hundreds of baskets, this breakdown will help you make the right choice.

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Why Wave Petunias Are Perfect for Hanging Baskets

Wave Petunias are world-renowned for their vigorous trailing growth. Unlike traditional petunias that can grow tall and leggy, Wave varieties spread outward and downward, making them perfect for 12” or larger hanging baskets.

Key Advantages:

  • Proven Performance – They reliably fill baskets with vibrant blooms.

  • Heat & Weather Tolerance – They thrive in summer conditions with proper care.

  • Continuous Blooming – With fertilizer and water, they flower non-stop from spring through frost.

  • Consumer Recognition – The Wave name is trusted and known to perform, making them easier to resell.

At our nursery, we’ve had tremendous success planting five small plugs in a 12” basket. Within weeks, the basket fills with lush growth, spilling over the sides with continuous color. For resale, Wave Petunias in 4” pots are also incredibly popular—customers know they’re buying a flower that performs.

Easy Wave Petunias: Versatile and Grower-Friendly

Easy Wave® Petunias are among the most popular in the series, offering both spreading and trailing habits. They fill baskets and planters quickly, with a mounded shape that stays tidy.

  • Habit: Mounded and spreading (24–36” spread, 6–12” tall).

  • Best Use: Hanging baskets, mixed planters, large patio containers.

  • Colors: Wide range, including Red, White, Blue, Yellow, Lavender Sky Blue, Plum Vein, Plum Pudding Mix, Silver, Rose Morn, Neon Sky Mix, Navy Velour, and Berry Velour.

  • Care Level: Easy to grow, forgiving, and adaptable.

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Why Choose Easy Wave?

  • Perfect balance of size and manageability.

  • Great for both beginner gardeners and professionals.

  • Responds well to pinching for fuller baskets.

  • Ideal for growers who want reliable resale performance.

Shock Wave Petunias: Compact and Early Blooming

Shock Wave® Petunias are the most compact in the Wave family, with smaller blooms but an abundance of them. These are a fantastic choice for growers who want dense, early-flowering baskets or pots.

  • Habit: Compact, mounding, spreading 20–30” with a height of only 7–10”.

  • Best Use: Small hanging baskets, mixed patio planters, 4” retail pots.

  • Colors: Bold options including Purple Tie Dye, Coral Crush, and Denim.

  • Care Level: Very easy to manage; less pinching needed compared to Easy Wave.

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Why Choose Shock Wave?

  • Earliest to bloom—great for spring sales.

  • Compact size makes them ideal for tighter retail spacing.

  • Extremely floriferous, creating “mini explosions” of color.

  • Great for customers who want low-maintenance baskets.

Tidal Wave Petunias: The Giants of the Wave Family

Tidal Wave® Petunias are often called the “hedge petunias” of the series because of their incredible size and vigor. They can grow 24–36” tall and spread up to 5 feet wide under the right conditions.

  • Habit: Upright-spreading, vigorous trailing, up to 5 feet across.

  • Best Use: Extra-large hanging baskets, massive patio tubs, groundcover.

  • Colors: Includes Silver, Red Velour, Cherry, and Hot Pink.

  • Care Level: Requires more feeding and water due to its size but produces unmatched displays.

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Why Choose Tidal Wave?

  • Best for large public displays, landscapers, and growers who want maximum impact.

  • Produces the biggest baskets and planters.

  • Can double as groundcover in landscapes.

  • Excellent resale in large containers for premium price points.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Easy Wave vs. Shock Wave vs. Tidal Wave

Feature Easy Wave Petunia Shock Wave Petunia Tidal Wave Petunia
Habit Mounded, spreading Compact, mounding Tall, vigorous spreading
Height 6–12” 7–10” 24–36”
Spread 24–36” 20–30” Up to 5 feet
Bloom Size Medium Small Large
Best For Hanging baskets, pots, mixed planters Smaller baskets, retail pots Large baskets, tubs, landscapes
Care Level Easy Very easy Moderate–heavy feeder
Bloom Time Early–mid Earliest Mid–late

Care Tips for All Wave Petunias

No matter which Wave series you grow, success depends on good cultural practices:

  1. Planting – Use 5 plugs per 12” basket or 1 plant per 4” pot.

  2. Soil – Well-draining, high-quality potting mix.

  3. Watering – Keep consistently moist; avoid letting baskets dry out completely.

  4. Fertilizing – Wave Petunias are heavy feeders. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every 7–10 days plus a slow-release fertilizer at planting.

  5. Pinching – Pinch early to encourage branching. Later in the season, light trimming can rejuvenate baskets.

  6. Light – Full sun (at least 6 hours daily) is essential for abundant blooms.

  7. Deadheading – Waves are mostly self-cleaning but removing spent blooms helps keep baskets neat.

Which Wave Petunia is Best for You?

  • Choose Easy Wave if you want a versatile, easy-to-grow petunia that works in most hanging baskets and containers.

  • Choose Shock Wave if you need compact, early-blooming baskets or pots with tons of small flowers.

  • Choose Tidal Wave if you want maximum impact, giant baskets, or even landscape coverage.

Conclusion: The Best Petunias for Hanging Baskets

When it comes to hanging baskets, all three Wave Petunia series deliver incredible results, but the best one for you depends on your goals:

  • For balanced, easy baskets → go with Easy Wave.

  • For compact, early sales → choose Shock Wave.

  • For large displays and maximum impact → plant Tidal Wave.

Whether you’re a backyard gardener or a professional grower, Wave Petunias are a proven choice for vibrant, long-lasting displays.

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With Wave Petunias, your hanging baskets are sure to impress all season long. 🌸

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