Southern Plains: January Garden To-Do List, Traveling Plants | Letter from the Editor, A Fool and His Garden | Letter from the Editor, Dahlias Don’t Ask Much | Letter from the Editor, It’s Just Business | Letter from the Editor. If your soil is nutrient deficient, your Mexican petunia should still produce a good number of flowers, but you can help it along by adding a balanced fertilizer if you wish. These plants are hardy through USDA hardiness zones 7 to 11. Why? Mexican Petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) – Growing and Care Information by Max - last update on December 9, 2020, 8:37 am Mexican petunias are a pretty flowering evergreen perennial that can be grown in containers, as shrub-like plants, or as ground cover . In freezing climates, prune back damaged foliage in early spring. ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM PLANT CARE INFORMATION Dwarf Ruellia Ruellia brittonii DESCRIPTION: Dwarf Ruellia is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial with long, narrow, dark green leaves. Christmas Tree Economics: Are Baby Boomers Killing the Christmas Tree Industry? CareDesert ruellia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. They are a fantastic, no-care plant! Care Desert ruellia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. He does not like smoke, gas products, drafts. It grows up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The funnel-shaped flowers are the primary draw for many of the species and are sometimes called Mexican petunias. Katie Blue Dwarf Mexican Petunia is a lovely dwarf perennial that produces loads of bluish purple trumpet shaped flowers tucked in among the dark green glossy foliage from … If you prefer a well-manicured style, then prune the plant to your desired shape. Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers'. As the Mexican petunia will grow in both dry or wet soil, the soil quality isn’t terribly important for this plant. Native to Baja California. Your email address will not be published. protected area, Desert Ruellia requires almost no maintenance. Ruellia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Purple Showers' Ruellia simplex. Mexican petunias are a very hardy plant in many aspects, and they will tolerate a wide range of suboptimal growing conditions, but the one area in which they fall down is in very low temperatures. If the top layer of soil is already moist, then you don’t need to add any further water. It readily self-seeds and has been classified as an invasive plant in the state of Florida. Plant Desert Ruellia in full sun to maintain a dense form. We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Ruellia Brittoniana Pink Ruellia Brittoniana Brittish Ruellia is a fast growing upright evergreen. Ideal for border or accent in hot, sunny gardens with lean, fast draining soil. When growing in a colder climate, grow your Mexican petunias in containers so that you have the option of portability during the winter. Perfect for A perennial, the Mexican petunia grows to 3 feet in height and bears light purple flowers. RECOMMENDED USE: Can be used as a colorful accent in sun or light shade; lightly clipped, it makes a nice border. Features of care: The main difficulty is the formation of an attractive appearance of the plant. The plant can have a tendency to self-seed quite aggressively, with the seeds dispersing themselves as much as 10 feet away from the plant. They have also naturalized in Florida, where they grow so aggressively that they are able to choke out other plants that are native to the state. Root cuttings in spring or early summer. This southern California native shrub produces a dense mass of small, glossy leaves and purple, petunia-like flowers in late spring and early summer. As a hardy perennial (you only need to plant them once), the Mexican petunia is one of several desert plants that are recommended for warm, dry climates. These desert plants aren't rare; after a while, you'll notice that they are everywhere -- even on the highways and in public parks. They are most tolerant of the heat when grown in moist conditions and note that when grown in a hot climate, the plant will like to be watered more frequently. Plant database entry for Dwarf Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex Bonita™) with 2 images and 14 data details. The deep purple flowers and interesting white-grey stems make for some great contrast. Maintenance: Prune back to 1 1/2 ft. in early March. Watering Pour 2 cups or 500ml every day only when the the soil begins to dry out. 2 more photos VIEW GALLERY. When grown in the garden, the best way to manage their watering is to maintain moist, but not soggy, soil. of the member-only content library. Ruellia peninsularis Desert Ruellia Desert Ruellia is frequently planted along streetscapes and freeways, but its true beauty is best appreciated up-close and personal. 9 Different Indoor Tropical Plants - Growing Guides & Photos. Mexican petunias are a pretty flowering evergreen perennial that can be grown in containers, as shrub-like plants, or as ground cover. Desert Ruellia Ruellia peninsularis A southwestern U.S. native shrub that produces masses of deep blue, almost purple dense petunia-like flowers against light green foliage. Plant it in well-drained soil in a hole that is three times as wide as the rootball. Peak blooming occurs from spring to early summer, with sporadic flowering throughout the year. Trees.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. These are a favorite for anyone that does not have a green thumb and still wants to have a thriving, colorful plant in their yard! Spreading shrub. This tough, heat-loving perennial is disease and insect resistant. Mexican petunias thrive in full sun. Drought tolerant when established, in cooler summer climates. Very showy, they are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. If you are growing these plants in a cooler climate, they should be protected from cold winters, either by moving them to a protected position out of the cold breeze, by bringing them indoors or by covering them with gardening fleece. It blooms all year, can grow in wet areas and is an easy plant to grow overall. The widely adaptable dwarf Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) has been named a Texas Superstar® by Texas A&M University.“I first observed Ruellia growing in the neglected space between a sidewalk and the street in San Antonio,” said Dr. Wayne Mackay, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station horticulture researcher at Texas A&M Dallas. Propagation Sow seed in spring. Select a … Ruellia peninsularis . Aside from flower production, the other way Mexican petunias are affected by light is with the color of their stems. Interestingly, the stem of this plant becomes more purple when it’s in bright light, as opposed to when it’s grown in a shady area, where the stem stays fairly green. If you want more of this plant growing in your garden, simply allow the flowers to turn to seed; they will drop to the ground and sow themselves where they land. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Mexican petunias do not require feeding. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They will still flower even in nutrient-deficient soils, though if a soil has a nutrient imbalance, then this is where problems can occur. Tough plant that takes dry or wet soil. Easy to care for and great for use as coverage, ruellia plants offer unique beauty to landscape areas. Do not over-water as it leads to root-rot. They resemble petunia’s, as you would expect from their common name, but in fact, the Mexican petunia is not a petunia at all. Are you sure you want to delete your notes for this recipe? Mexican petunias are very heat-tolerant, so don’t feel the need to shade them to protect them from the heat. Several desert plants are perennial (you need to plant them only once), hardy, low care, relatively drought tolerant, easy to find, pretty cheap to buy, and provide lovely color many times during the year. This species is non-invasive, unlike Ruellia brittoniana, a moderate water plant with long, glossy leaves. Ruellia is a very easy to grow shrub that reaches 3 to 4 ft in height with purple flowers that constantly bloom from Spring through the Fall. Avoid repeated pruning during the year. It stays compact, growing to a foot or so tall by as wide. If you have a Mexican petunia that is struggling to flower but has lots of lush foliage growth, then you may need to test your soil for nutrient imbalance. It will grow in almost any condition, including poor quality soil, but for best results, you should use a well-draining and fertile soil. Soil drainag… You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. … They are inexpensive, low … Email The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Quickly fills in as a ground cover. In the most extreme cases, you may need to dig up your plant and transplant it to a different soil. Description. After the flower fades, it will develop into a pod resembling a bean pod, containing a cluster of seeds. Mexican petunias, also known as desert petunias, produce more flowers the more sunlight they have, so choose a sunny spot in your yard. What Is Ruellia Wild Petunia: Learn About The Care Of Ruellia Plants. This Ruellia variety thrives in full sun or partial shade exposures and is durable and easy to care for plants. You can do this by watering the plant as soon as the top layer of the soil starts to dry out. Faded flowers should be … In freezing climates, prune back damaged foliage in early spring. The flowers of the Mexican petunia bloom from the middle of summer through to fall. this evergreen shrub has a naturally rounded form, with white-grey stems, small glossy green leaves, and deep blue flowers. Heat and drought tolerant. Mexican petunias are incredibly tolerant of any watering conditions. Mexican petunias will propagate easily from stem cuttings in the summer months, but this is not something that most gardeners have to do, as the plants readily self-seed to supply the garden with an endless supply of new Mexican petunias. Shrubs, subshrubs, and evergreen perennials in about 150 species from tropical America, Africa, and Asia belong to the genus Ruellia. Baja Ruellia . You can also deadhead the plant if you want to prevent self-seeding. Like a daylily, each flower lasts only a day, with many buds blooming in succession from late spring through summer. across (5 cm), from midsummer to fall. By Amy Grant. Evergreen. The seeds have been known to travel quite a distance from the plant; this is helped by rainfall or watering hoses, which can carry the seeds further than usual. The plant grows rapidly, and because of this, it is known as an invasive species in some regions, notably Florida. An improved dwarf variety that continues to bloom summer-long, without deadheading! Do you have additional information or a different experience for this plant that you would like to share? Ruellia peninsularis (Desert Ruellia, Baja Ruellia) Shrub. So, what is ruellia and can it be grown in the garden? In the summer it is better not to take out on the balcony or the garden. The only soil a Mexican petunia may have a problem with is very acidic soil, so if your plant is struggling to grow, you should consider checking the pH of your soil in case this is the reason. Ruellia is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as ruellias or wild petunias. During a visit to a nursery some time ago, I noticed a white flowering variety of the more commonplace purple ‘Katie’ ruellia and I immediately decided that I liked the white color better. These flowers have a trumpet or bell shape, and rise high above the foliage of the plant, growing from dark purple-hued stems. You can try to flush out the nitrogen with lots of generous watering to resolve this problem, or you can add a layer of mulch to the surface of the soil, as this can help to draw nitrogen out. If you have a history of poor watering habits or have experienced plants that die from either overwatering or from lack of water, then the Mexican petunia would be a great feature in your garden, as it will not have a problem with inconsistent watering. Soil, which is high in nitrogen, will see the Mexican petunia produce lots of dark green foliage in favor of flowers. Upon bursting, the seeds will be dispersed onto the ground, where they will sow themselves. By tactically pruning the plant in this way, you can increase the flower production quite dramatically, but the plant does tend to flower quite prolifically even without this measure. Root cuttings in spring or early summer. It is when the plant is growing in very moist soils that it tends to become overgrown more easily. They flower year round here, and will get thicker if you … If you want to encourage more flowers to appear, cut back the stems in early spring. Though Mexican petunias are highly adaptable to most soil types, they grow better in fertile soil that is well drained and capable of retaining the required amounts of moisture. You can test for moisture by touching the top of the soil, or you can simply judge from sight. As the plant is not sensitive to heat, the time of day when the Mexican petunia gets direct sun is not important, though in general, sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon is preferable when growing a plant in partial shade. The large, petunia-like blooms are backed by dense clumps of narrow, dark green foliage. It is so tolerant of soggy soil that it can be grown in up to 6 inches of water, along with other bog plants in shallow streams and waterlogged riverbanks. Each stem, which would have developed one flower, will respond by branching out several stems, which will each produce a flower. I. f you want to keep it under control in your garden, then allow the plant a little less water. Propagation Sow seed in spring. They grow rapidly and spread easily, even in conditions that would be less than ideal for many plants. Texas Superstar plants, descriptions and details. Desert Ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis) is a medium-sized shrub with light green foliage and purple flowers that appear spring through fall. Aside from removing dead or damaged stems, this plant doesn’t necessarily require pruning, but it depends on the type of look you like in your garden. Often confused with Ruellia tweediana, but its leaves are a bit shorter and wider. Prune old foliage before new leaves emerge in early spring. Acanthaceae : Form: Shrub Seasonality: Evergreen. The Mexican petunia (Ruellia rudiflora) is a lovely addition to the garden but has a tendency to take over once it becomes established. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. They will also grow in partial shade, though plants grown in a partly shaded position may experience less flower development than those grown in full sun. Plant in full sun and well-drained soils. The plant should be cut regularly for branching. When allowed to grow in these conditions, they will produce an abundance of flowers. Learn more. Unfortunately, these traits can also enable the plant to become invasive, so it will need to be kept in check. Flowers may be purple, pink or blue depending on cultivar. If you grow these plants in containers, you have the option of moving them throughout the year to a full sun position during summertime, then a more protected and potentially shaded position during cooler months. They enjoy the warmth and can happily grow in a full sun position where they can bask in the heat all day long. Desert ruellia is not a fussy plant; its requirements are few. If the soil is not well drained, mix in compost with the existing soil at a ratio of one part compost to one part native soil. In terms of frequency of watering, this will depend on lots of variables, including the lighting position that your plant is grown in, the climate, the type of soil, and whether it is growing directly in the ground or in a pot. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Forms a naturally neat, mounded form. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Desert Ruellia blooms more when in full sun, which is plentiful in the Phoenix area. If you would rather not have your garden taken over by Mexican petunias, you will need to deadhead the blooms once they fade. This is the white version of the more common purple Ruellia. Double Knockout Rose - Varieties, Care & Planting Information, 10 Best Perennial Flowers For Your Garden, 8 Exciting Japanese Flowers - Photos, Uses, and Care Guides, 9 Mexican Flowers with Photos & Growing Guides, Mexican petunia, Mexican bluebell, Florida bluebell, Desert petunia, Britton’s wild petunia, Purple ruellia. Through to fall has smaller flowers, which will each produce a flower some great.... Bask in the garden a flower inches in diameter and have a delicate lilac-blue color your notes for plant. Bell shape, and remove all weeds four to five weeks before planting lavender flowers summer. ) shrub Wild petunia: Learn About the care of Ruellia plants offer unique beauty to landscape areas it need. Large, petunia-like blooms are backed by dense clumps of narrow, dark foliage. A bit shorter and wider visibly dried out encourage more flowers to appear cut. Soil drainag… flowers may be purple, pink or blue depending on.. 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Boomers Killing the christmas Tree Economics: are Baby Boomers Killing the christmas Tree Economics: are Boomers... Tolerant of any watering conditions a colorful accent in hot, sunny gardens with lean, fast soil!, Baja Ruellia are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and is durable and easy care... Through USDA hardiness zones 7 to 11 smoke, gas products, drafts, low … Desert. Dried out and more, plus the print magazine to all our regional,. Pour 2 cups or 500ml every day only when the plant so as., drafts and South Carolina year, can grow in wet areas and is durable and easy to for... Is frequently planted along streetscapes and freeways, but its leaves are a bit shorter and wider you can to. Top layer of the soil begins to dry out tolerant when established, reduce frequency ; tolerates drought... Feet in height and bears light purple flowers and interesting white-grey stems, they above... It grows up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with sporadic flowering the... 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