Million Bells. Calibrachoa hybrids, Nightshade- or Potato Family ( Solanaceae ), Million Bells. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. The Calibrachoa Million Bells, 'Calibrachoa hybrids', is an annual hybrid andit is great for use in containers and hanging baskets. Calibrachoa was developed by the Japanese company called Suntory Ltd. In 1988 Suntory Ltd. collected specimens of native, wild, Calibrachoa found growing in South America. After several years of an extensive breeding program, Suntory developed the Calibrachoa hybrid that we know of today. In 1992 Suntory named their new hybrid was named "Million Bells." Then, six years later their new plants were released to be enjoyed by gardener's world wide. The reason that Calibrachoa looks very similar to a miniature Petunia, is that Petunias have 14 chromosomes and Calibrachoa has 18. That makes them very similar, but different. There are two very nice features that this hybridization creates for us petunia lovers. First, it created a vigorous, fast growing annual; which unlike petunias, produces hundreds of vividly colored small petunia like flowers, that bloom prolifically from spring to first frost. Then second, Calibrachoa is unlike regular petunias, that create a mess with their dead flowers. Calibrachoa is self cleaning, meaning that it sheds it's spent flowers and replaces them with new ones! We personally have been growing Calibrachoa Hybrids for about three years and we love them! Million Bells plants are compact, low growers with fine foliage and 1 in, trumpet-shaped blooms that open nonstop until hard frost without need of deadheading. Hummingbirds will visit your garden when you plant Calibrachoa because they love the large trumpet shaped flowers and it�s a good nectar source. Its One-inch bell-shaped flowers bloom all season long in Arizona. They are easy to grow and maintain. Annual except in zones 9 - 11; where they are perennial. Quick Notes: Height: About 6 to 10 inches. Spreading out to about 24 inches wide. Flowers: Red Orange color, bell shaped with 5 petals, about 1 inch in diameter. They also come in many other colors, and many have veining or colorful throats Flowering Time: January to December. All Year! Leaves: The leaves are bright green, pubescent (hairy), & ovate. Found: South America. Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade Light Shade Elevation: 0 - 6,000 feet. Habitat: Seasonally moist ditches or depressions on prairies. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken May 23, 2010 In Glendale, Arizona.

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