Unveiling the Petunia Phenomenon: insights into Wave's 30-year Blooming Legacy
Petunias' Three Decade Milestone: A Vibrant and Enduring Testimony
Get ready to dive into the captivating story of the Wave petunia, a garden staple that has taken the annual flower world by storm. Launched back in 1995, Wave patunias have reigned as one of the top-selling petunia varieties globally, thanks to their eye-catching shades and stunning growth.
In this anniversary year, we're taking a trip down memory lane to explore Wave's pioneering role in horticulture, the brainwork behind their breathtaking blooms, and the campaigns that cemented their place as a beloved garden companion.
Back to the Roots: Wave's Unexpected Discovery
Before Wave made its grand entrance, Katie Rotella, senior public relations and digital manager at Ball Horticultural Company, recalls a Wave-less flower market. Then, serendipitously, in a Japanese beer garden, a groundbreaking petunia was stumbled upon - the beginning of Wave's journey. PanAmerican Seed formed a partnership with Kirin, the brewery behind the discovery, to cultivate the first Wave petunia variety, the classic Wave Purple.
Flower Power: From Humble Beginnings to Global Dominance
Just four years after the debut of Wave Purple, it rocketed to becoming the number 1 selling petunia in North America. Since then, the Wave family has expanded with notable varieties including Tidal Wave, Easy Wave, Shock Wave, and more, all boasting stunning shades ranging from bold blue to soft pink and yellow. In 2012, Wave entered the pansy market with an exceptional range of vibrant and vigorous varieties.
The Art of Breeding Exceptional Petunias
You might think creating a successful Wave petunia is a walk in the park, but in reality, it's a labor-intensive, five-year journey from conception to consumer. Lisa Lacy, the director of product management for PanAmerican Seed, explains that countless trials and evaluations are carried out to ensure each Wave petunia offers the ideal structure, color quality, compact shape, flowering window, and more. Research on the best growing practices, tailoring to the needs of gardeners globally, and constantly planning for the future are all essential components of bringing a new Wave variety to life.
Embracing the Art of Life: Wave's 30th Anniversary Celebrations
To honor its 30 years of horticultural innovation, Wave partnered with renowned photographer Anne Geddes, famous for her whimsical images of babies and flowers, to create a unique collection celebrating both their work. The stunning, iconic images showcase models wearing Wave-inspired headpieces in classic pink pots, symbolizing the deep connection between thriving flowers and new life.
In addition, Wave has established National Wave Day, observed on May 3, as a joyful reminder to take a moment to appreciate the beauty, growth, and connection in our lives. Wave encourages everyone to join in the festivities by wearing pink, hosting a potting party, planting something pink, or giving a Wave petunia to someone you love.
Growing Legends: A Look to the Future
Wave's focus on quality, ease of growth, and artistic cultivation sets them apart in the flower market. As Katie Rotella says, "Someone's out there working on your behalf." With their unwavering dedication to creating exceptional blooms and their steadfast commitment to innovation, Wave petunias are here to stay - continuous blooms and gardening joy for gardeners across the globe.
So, whether you're a budding gardener or simply an admirer of the artistry in gardening, join Wave as they take a look back at their remarkable legacy and dream of the vibrant petunias yet to come. Cheers to 30 years of flourishing flowers and many more to come!
- Katie Rotella, from Ball Horticultural Company, remembers a Wave-less flower market before the unexpected discovery of the Wave petunia in a Japanese beer garden.
- The classic Wave Purple, the first variety of Wave petunia, rocketed to become the number 1 selling petunia in North America just four years after its debut.
- The art of breeding exceptional petunias involves a five-year journey from conception to consumer, with countless trials and evaluations to ensure ideal qualities.
- To honor its 30th anniversary, Wave partnered with Anne Geddes for a unique photoshoot showcasing iconic images of models wearing Wave-inspired headpieces and symbolizing the connection between thriving flowers and new life.
- On May 3, National Wave Day is observed as a joyful reminder to appreciate beauty, growth, and connection in our lives, encouraging everyone to participate in planting something pink or giving a Wave petunia to someone they love.
- With a focus on quality, ease of growth, and artistic cultivation, Wave petunias are here to stay, promising continuous blooms and gardening joy for gardeners worldwide.
- As we look forward, Wave's unwavering dedication to creating exceptional blooms and their commitment to innovation ensure vibrant petunias in gardens for many years to come.
