If there’s one annual that completely steals the show in my summer containers every single year, it’s the beautiful Supertunia Bordeaux.
The deep violet-purple blooms almost glow in the evening light, and the plant grows into a massive overflowing mound of flowers that looks stunning from spring all the way into fall.
Living in the north of Canada, I’m always looking for flowers that can handle cooler nights, windy weather, and still put on a nonstop performance. Supertunia Bordeaux has honestly become one of my favorite plants for creating that rich, elegant “purple wave” look around the house.
What Makes Supertunia Bordeaux Special?
This variety is known for:
- Deep violet-purple blooms with darker veining
- Extremely vigorous growth
- Heat tolerance
- Continuous flowering without deadheading
- A cascading habit perfect for containers and hanging baskets
Unlike some petunias that start looking tired by mid-summer, Bordeaux keeps growing larger and fuller when fertilized properly.
Superbena Sparkling Amethyst
Superbells Coralina
By July and August, one plant can completely cover a large container.
The Color Is Absolutely Stunning
One thing I love about Bordeaux is how versatile the color is.
Sometimes it looks:
- Deep royal purple
- Violet-blue
- Plum
- Almost black-purple in the evening
It pairs beautifully with:
- Palm trees
- Tropical plants
- Lime green foliage
- White flowers
- Black planters
- Turquoise pots
- Modern landscaping
The color gives containers a very luxurious and dramatic look without looking too bright or overpowering.
My Favorite Way to Use It
One of my favorite combinations is using Supertunia Bordeaux around tropical center plants like:
- Palm trees
- Cannas
- Grasses
The contrast between tropical foliage and the overflowing purple flowers creates a huge impact.
I especially love using large oversized pots because Bordeaux quickly softens the edges and creates that lush, overflowing look.
How I Keep Mine Blooming All Summer
To keep Supertunia Bordeaux huge and healthy, I focus on three things:
1. Full Sun
These plants absolutely love sun.
The more sun they get, the more blooms they produce.
2. Regular Fertilizer
This is the secret.
Supertunias are heavy feeders. I fertilize mine weekly during summer using a water-soluble fertilizer (Miracle Growth or the espoma organic Bloom).
Without fertilizer, they can start looking pale or slow down blooming.
3. Occasional Trimming
Even though they don’t require deadheading, a light trim during mid-summer helps them stay compact and encourages fresh growth.
Sometimes cutting them back slightly feels painful because they’re covered in blooms , but they come back even fuller afterward.
Are They Worth It?
In my opinion: absolutely.
Yes, they can be more expensive than regular petunias, but the performance difference is huge.
A single healthy Supertunia Bordeaux can eventually look like multiple plants in one container.
For anyone wanting dramatic summer planters with nonstop color, this variety is honestly hard to beat.
So, if you love rich purple flowers, oversized containers, and dramatic summer color, Supertunia Bordeaux is definitely a plant worth trying.
It brings such an elegant and luxurious feel to patios, decks, front entrances, and garden spaces especially when paired with tropical plants or bold modern containers.
Every summer when mine start spilling over the pots, I remember exactly why this plant became one of my favorites.
Save this pin for summer planter inspiration
