On Gardening: Vista Cool Jazz coming in 2026

Norman Winter, Tribune News Service on Aug 28, 2025

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Next year you will get a great opportunity to Jazz Up your baskets, containers and boxes with a new Supertunia Vista petunia.

Mention Supertunia Vista petunias and the first to come to mind is the obvious, Bubblegum. I remember years ago giving presentations for Mississippi State University and showing the new Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and everyone would chuckle at the name. Who could have known the hundreds of awards that would be coming their way? After all, the Vistas are like thoroughbred racehorses.

James Winter has always had a love for Supertunia Vista Fuchsia and can quickly pull up images showing they are indeed as big as Bubblegum. The Garden Guy has always had a passion for Supertunia Vista Paradise. While it could be a little smaller than Bubblegum, their longevity in a long torrid summer is amazing. But The Garden Guy has also planted them in the ground in September in zone 8 and had them still blooming July 1.

But yes, Virginia, there is a new Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz coming in 2026. It is a rare, light lavender blue. The tag says 12 to 24 inches tall with a spread of 36 inches. It is already accumulating some impressive scores in university trials.

I’ll admit when I first saw it, I asked what color it was. Proven Winners says it is cool orchid pink. But every photo I’ve taken shows a hint of blue. After I thought about what color it was, my next consideration was combinations. I admit I am of the age where I think too much. While was thinking, James and the Eden Estate Management Team immediately hit a home run.

They partnered it with the new Superbells Magic Double Grapefruit calibrachoas. It looks incredible with the yellow and/or deep pink of the calibrachoa. They too will be making their debut in 2026.

At the Young’s Plant Farm Annual Garden Tour in Auburn, Alabama, they had a bed planted with Supertunia Hoopla Vivid Orchid petunia and it was a perfect choice. It then became obvious to most of us that Supertunia Vista Jazzberry and Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz petunias would likewise make a dreamy combination.

The soft yellow Supertunia Mini Vista Yellow and the new Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud would have to be top combination considerations. I want to try pairing with Supertunia Saffron Finch.

Whether you choose Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz or one of the other varieties, you will need sun, but part sun will work. Tight compacted clay and poorly draining soil is your enemy.

If you look at the Supertunia images from gardeners that look like they are in a resort or perhaps even Disney World, you will notice how many are grown in baskets, containers and boxes. These put you on Easy Street. Planting on raised beds with a prepared soil mix is also super easy.

Petunias are heavy feeders. In containers, controlled release granules in the soil at planting time followed by a diluted water-soluble mix feeding every two to three weeks will keep you in the blooming business. Those planted in the ground have the same controlled release granules incorporated in the soil and then a side dress application in midsummer.

Even with that there is one more critical element: trimming back. Once your Supertunia looks tired or in decline, remove about a third of the plant volume. This will stimulate new growth and more blooms.

Here is hoping you will try the new Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz and or the Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunias when they hit garden center shelves in 2026. Until then follow me on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)