The summer plant trials across the country are always exciting, not only from the standpoint of new plants that will be making their debut but also the new recipes. There are always big crowds around the mixed container recipes. This year one of my favorites is called Sparkle Party.

Sparkle Party really creates a festive atmosphere. It's kind of crazy because the mixed container colors make you think you are on vacation, maybe at an island resort. Though the recipe contains fairly new Supertunia petunias and Superbena verbenas, the colorful look seems tropical in nature.

Perhaps you have come under the guise that regular Supertunia petunias can't create the floral magic of the Supertunia Vista group or even the Mini Vista group but this could not be further from the truth, and I hope to present my case.

Sparkle Party has three main ingredients: Supertunia Pink Tiara petunia, Supertunia Saffron Finch and Superbena Violet Ice verbena. Supertunia Saffron Finch won a Perfect Score at Oklahoma State and has won awards from Ohio State to the University of Florida.

Supertunia Pink Tiara got a Perfect Score at the University of Missouri and has won awards from the University of Minnesota south to the University of Florida. Notch an award from Canada too. Superbena Violet Ice verbena has become the darling of mixed containers and baskets everywhere. They are ever so special with their awards from the North Carolina State University JC Raulston Arboretum. The awards were Leader of the Pack (Wolfpack) Early Season, Leader of the Pack Summer and Leader of the Pack Late Season. That says it all.

Choosing containers and potting soil is your next hurdle. Really it is a no-brainer. Choose a container large enough to get the beauty you desire. I usually go with a 14-inch bowl that offers some depth for adequate tumbling or spilling. Make sure you have drainage holes or plan to put them in,

I like the lightweight fluffy potting soil sold by the cubic yard. In other words, if it is sold by the pound, it is probably going to feel like it and not offer the drainage I prefer. I also look for the soil to have controlled-release granular fertilizer incorporated.

In zone 8 Georgia, it is a rare summer day that the containers don’t get watered by hand. This frequency of watering means leaching nutrients, which means more feeding. I like using water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks, but I am also fine with using premium granular fertilizer that gets released as I water.

This year has been different than any I can remember: We had two periods where I received 12 straight days of rain. I was glad to get out of the drought, but good grief. That daily pounding prompted me to cut back early. I am so surprised how the Supers just kept growing.

But in addition to falling in love with the Sparkle Party recipe at Young’s Plant Farm in Auburn, Alabama, I looked at my rock wall and there was a container ever so similar. It has Supertunia Saffron Finch, Supertunia Mini Vista Plum Veined and Supertunia Vista Cool Jazz with Superbena Violet Ice verbena. Since it is a larger container, I used Graceful Grasses Queen Tut papyrus as the thriller plant. I love those colors, and I know you will too! If you can find them don’t be afraid to plant a container now for fall.

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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.)

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