I’ve never met a Bermuda Beach I didn’t like. I’m teasing a little: I’ve never been to Bermuda, but I’m sure I’d love its beaches, too! What I am referring to is the award-winning Supertunia Bermuda Beach petunia. I was in California at the Pack Trials about 20 years ago when it made its debut and for sure it brought out the cameras.

Then a few years ago Proven Winners came out with the Supertunia Bermuda Beach II. It was big, bold and decidedly different in color. I fell madly in love with it, but I suppose the color gurus and PW brass felt uncomfortable. So, it is gone. The Garden Guy hopes they will bring it back and give it a new name.

But the breeders have hit a homerun with Supertunia Bermuda Beach III. I planted mine in April then proceeded to garden through the most miserable Georgia summer since I have lived here. Last year everyone talked about the drought and supposedly things changed, but it wasn’t so at my house. Even in October when Hurricane Isaias blew containers off my wall and shut down power for a night, the accompanying rain was sparse to say the least.

But here I am in November, and my Supertunia Bermuda Beach III containers are stunning. You can expect them to reach 12 inches tall with a 24-inch spread. If you are using them as a spiller in a mixed container, the trailing habit may exceed that. The presentation of the flowers is remarkable as they look to be the largest petunia blooms in the market.

Supertunia Bermuda Beach III Petunia is aptly named as its colors look reminiscent of the pink Bermuda sands found on these most loved islands. The flowers therefore open the door for creating recipes that are both artistic and magical.

The Proven Winners 2024 "Recipe of the Year" was Acapulco Sun and featured Supertunia Bermuda Beach petunia, Superbena Peachy Keen verbena and Superbells Coralina calibrachoa.

But recently a recipe named "Never Lonely" showed up at trials and was like "Holy Wow!" It features the ever so colorful Luscious Basket Tangeglow lantana, Superbells Yellow calibrachoa and the star of this column, Supertunia Bermuda Beach III petunia.

One of The Garden Guy’s recipes features the Supertunia Bermuda Beach III petunia with Supertunia Blue Tiara and Superbells Yellow calibrachoa. Another mixed container features Supertunia Bermuda Beach III petunia, with Superbells Yellow calibrachoa and Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo petunia. Dark Blue makes a great contrast with beach sand color.

It’s a real testimony to Supertunia Bermuda Meach III that they are dazzling in November after the long, hot, dry summer. The Garden Guy kept them watered, fertilized and cut back to keep stems or shoots developing.

When you shop for spring plants next year, there will be no worry about what version you are buying. You can rest assured that you will be buying the latest version available. If you live in zone 8 or a warmer zone and get lucky in finding some now, give them a try. The Garden Guy would, even with the super El Nino forecast possibilities.

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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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