Five years ago, I introduced the garden reader to "The Little Indigo That Could." That little indigo named Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo is still doing it. Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo petunia, winner of 34 awards, can now add another trophy to the case as it has been designated a Louisiana Super Plant standing right next to the granddaddy of them all, the Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunia.

The Louisiana Super Plant List reads like the fine gardening book; these are the plants to grow in Louisiana. Obviously, this list would be sage advice for a lot of other states too. There is one other thing about this list, and it stands out like a bolt of lightning. The Louisiana Super Plant list has the Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo petunia and the Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunia under cool season annuals blooming seven months, November through May.

Louisiana USDA Plant Hardiness Zones range from 8a to 10a. Don’t let that throw you as they are talking to the entire state about enjoying Supertunia November through May.

If you’ve been reading my columns or following on Facebook you know The Garden Guy is a fan of painting all the supers in the fall in zone 8 and warmer. I’m talking about Supertunia petunias, Superbells calibrachoas and Superbena verbenas. I grew the Supertunia Vistas in the ground from November through July 1 when I realized my landscape in West Georgia was like Yellowstone with the deer population. (My neighbor saw 10 in my yard recently.)

To me I would like the opportunity to buy the Supertunias for planting in the spring and then as needed in September and October too, in zones 8 and warmer. You most likely realize that Supertunia Vista Bubblegum is like the all-time award winner, and I can assure you that the Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo can hang with it. I’ve watched it thrive in the hottest of summers in Georgia and Alabama.

Supertunia Mini Vista petunias will reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread up to 24 inches. They will exceed all expectations whether planted in raised beds or mixed containers. Notice I said raised beds. The arch enemies of all petunias are tight compacted clay and poor internal drainage. Raised bed soils and amendments and good lightweight potting soils with plenty of sun will make you an award-winner too.

Susan Middleton Turner in zone 9 Miller County, Georgia, gets my vote for award-winner as she uses Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo petunias in coconut banister baskets along the front of her home in a spectacular monoculture application. Young’s Plant Farm Annual Garden Tour in Auburn, Alabama, used them at the front of a raised bed with rudbeckias, vinca and guara showing how blue enhances all other colors.

At The Garden Guy’s house, the second week of November, the Supertunia Mini Indigo was creating a dynamic complementary color scheme with Luscious Marmalade lantana and Superbells Tangerine Punch calibrachoa.

If you are in zone 8 and warmer and can try a fall planting of Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo or Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, jump on board. No matter where you live, though, spring will be here before you know it. So now is a great time to cozy up to the fireplace and plan your flower beds and mixed containers.

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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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