I too have been reading about this rare petunia that is the only petunia pollinated by hummers only which makes it special in my mind. Not being a petunia enthusiast at all but by a friend having seed of this plant I feel it is worth a try. I will be launching the seeds around the first of march and it will be interesting whether hummers will use it considering I have many other hummer nectaring plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: Petunia Exserta

I officially need one of those plants....you know you are contributing to my habit, right??? THANKS!!! Christy :)

Christy-- Go for it!!

Hummersteve, I did let Christy know privately that I would try germinating some seeds and than figure out what to send out (seeds or seedlings, hopefully something grows...). Of course petunias can presumably also be rooted from cuttings if everything else fails. It looks like the plant might be a perpetual bloomer, but I suspect eventually it will look scraggly...

I was thinking I could send her something else, but one thing which I will presumably propagate in a little while that is probably (and unfortunately) not appropriate for her conditions is Salvia wagneriana. The bird love it. I have the pink and white form. It's a (highland) tropical Salvia and according to the Salvia guru Rich Dufresne (his site): "Since it is a tender winter bloomer, it is best set outside in parts of the United States that get no colder than 25� Fahrenheit. As a conservatory plant, it can be stunning with the three-way contrast of the pink flowers, white bracts, and rich green foliage. It should be spectacular along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coastal areas. "

Here's a photo (not mine): the inflorescences are huge--more than a foot long

http://www.igarden.com.au/image/salviaw-lrg.jpg

Rich appears to sell this plant, as does a nursery called Flowers by the Sea in California. Annie's Annuals sells another color form/variety (?) of the species which is more all red/dark pink and stunning in a different way.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rich Dufresne's site