Idaho man discovers comfort and beauty in petunias

September 23, 2010

A 40-year-old man from Boise, Idaho, is attracting visitors from all over North America who want to view his collection of petunias.

Brent Stewart, in many ways, is not unlike the typical American male. He likes to golf, hike and he works hard at his day job. But, as the Miami Herald recently reported, Stewart's story is far from common.

For the last two years, he has planted petunias in his front yard, and attracted plenty of attention in the process. According to the news source, spectators from as far away as British Columbia and Boston have traveled to Boise to see his garden. Many tourists take pictures of his petunias and one grateful visitor, according to Stewart, left a thank-you card at his residence.

Stewart plants his flowers in May and waters them twice per day.

"[Petunias] are big and bold and have vivid colors," Stewart told the Herald. "I like the dark, bold colors, the deep reds and purples."

Stewart said that gardening is a therapeutic process, helping him overcome previous chemical addictions. His petunias, he said, give him a sense of accomplishment and also provide an outlet for giving back to the community.

According to FlowerInfo.org, petunias are popular choices for gifts because of their attractive appearance and symbolism. Petunias are often meant to convey the soothing and comforting effect the recipient has on the gift-giver's life.

Petunias were virtually unknown until late in the 18th century, according to the informational source. They gained popularity in the 19th century and became an inspiration to many artists, including American painter Georgia O'Keefe.

According to ArtHistoryArchive.com, O'Keefe crafted her first large-scale flower painting in 1924, called Petunia No. 2.

Petunias are favored by gardeners because they come in a wide variety of colors and they are relatively easy to care for. These types of flowers are generally categorized into four groups: multiflora, milliflora, grandiflora and hedgiflora.

"[Petunias] require five to six hours of sunlight, well-drained soil, and only a bit of organic matter to grow successfully. Beyond planting, they require very little maintenance," reports FlowerInfo.org.

For gift-giving, petunias are a great addition to a typical bouquet. You may also consider presenting them as potted plants or cascading them from hanging baskets.

This article is brought to you by Teleflora - a leader in the flower delivery service for over 75 years. Teleflora helps its customers buy flowers online and specializes in bringing the freshest available flowers for a variety of holidays and occasions - all hand-delivered in keepsake vases by the best local florists.

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