I have raved about Wave petunias since they arrived on the garden scene in 1995.

Waves are vigorous, easy to grow and outperformed traditional petunias by leaps and bounds, especially during summer.

The first in the Wave series was Wave Purple. A single plant was capable of spreading out to 4 feet while staying 4 to 6 inches tall. At the time, standard petunias only spread out about a foot or so. Wave Purple's vigor and prolific production of 3-inch purple flowers all season amazed gardeners. It also stood up well to the hot, stressful conditions of our region.

Wave petunias are great in hanging baskets, wine barrel planters and other large containers, raised beds, window boxes and flower beds.

Waves include Blue, Lavender, Misty Lilac, Purple, Pink and Rose. Wave Purple, Lavender and Blue have been All-America Selections winners.

Easy Waves are a little more controlled than their "wild" sibling. Still vigorous and easy to grow, the plants quickly reach a spread of 3 feet in the garden and are a little more mounded in their growth habit, reaching 8 to 10 inches tall. Abundant flowers, about 3 inches in diameter, are produced late into the growing season. The Easy Wave series includes Rosy Dawn, The Flag Mix (red, white and "blue"), O Canada Mix (red and white), Pink, Shell Pink, White, Salmon, Red, Blue.

There also is the Double Wave series. These have Wave traits but offer glorious double flowers. The plants grow to a spread of 2 to 3 feet and a height of 4 to 6 inches. The Double Waves include Blue Velvet, Blue Vein, Lavender, Misty Lilac, Pink, Purple, Rose and White.

Finally, there is the boisterous overachieving sibling, the Tidal Wave series. When planted 2 feet apart they will form a ground cover, but when planted closer together they form a dense mounded "hedge." The plants grow outward, then upward. They also will supposedly "climb" like a vine if planted in a restricted space with support. The Tidal Waves include Cherry, Hot Pink, Purple and Silver (white with a purple-veined throat.)

This year there is a new Easy Wave series member and two new Easy Wave mixes.

The newest member, Coral Reef, is a deep coral color with a small white throat. It's been mixed with Easy Wave Blue and Shell Pink to create the Beachcomber Mixture. The Easy Wave Tropicana Mixture combines Easy Wave White, Shell Pink and Rosy Dawn.

* Marianne C. Ophardt is a horticulturist for the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Office in Benton County.