If you were to ask Forrest and Bea Kelsey of Marion what caused their seemingly average hanging plant to grow so large, they would smile, laugh, and say, “We don’t know.”

The couple purchased the plant locally, brought it home, set it on their front porch, and treated it just as they had other plants.

The petunias were in a 12-inch hanging pot with potting soil.

Every week, the couple faithfully watered the plant, turning the pot daily to let sunshine stimulate it. Before long, the plant grew too large to be a hanging plant. The flowers and greenery began to cover the patio table on which it now sets.

The purple petunias continued to grow, with vines making a nearly perfect circle around the table.

“It’s the darndest thing we’ve seen,” Forrest Kelsey said.

So, what have they done to make it grow so large?

“We mix Miracle-Gro with the water,” Kelsey said, “and that’s it.”

Typically this type of potted plant grows one season, becomes dormant, and sometimes has blossoms the following spring.

“I guess we’ll just leave it here until the first frost,” Kelsey said.

Passers-by and the Kelseys will enjoy the unusual plant until nature takes its course.