Once they take root (usually after a few weeks), you can add the plants to your yard. While it's not mandatory, Mexican petunias benefit from the addition of manure, fertilizer, and compost in their growing areas. If growing around an appliance, make sure you leave enough room on one side so it can be accessed for maintenance. However, pruning Mexican petunias is entirely up to you, and really just depends on how quickly and how much you want your petunias to flourish. 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. It does very well in wet areas. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. Ruellia can spread quickly and has been known … The funnel-shaped flowers are the primary draw for many of the species and are sometimes called Mexican petunias. Purple Showers Ruellia Texas Peutunia Flowering Perennial Shrub 1 Gal. Ruellia brittoniana ‘Purple Showers’). While there are other Ruellia cultivars in purple, white, and pink, including some dwarf varieties, we grow ‘Purple Showers’ because it is sterile. The petunia-like blooms each last only a day - but are replaced the next with more blossoms. This plant can be trimmed to … It is shorter than other Ruellia cultivars and has adequate branching throughout so as to not look leggy.It blooms regularly and flowers have a nice, purple hue. If you're planting Mexican petunias for the first time, you may want to use a shovel or garden tiller to loosen and turn over the soil before planting, sprinkling in compost or manure as you work. Producing bluish-purple blooms like flashes of light bulbs, the Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana "Purple Showers") shrub provides striking flowers from late spring to early fall. It thrives as a marginal water plant and in boggy soils. May be grown indoors as a houseplant. It can be significantly invasive in areas such as the Florida where it is has been declared to be a Category 1 invasive species. Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8. "Katie" is a popular dwarf cultivar because it doesn't produce seed pods and therefore is not considered invasive. The shrub is considered invasive in the state of Florida and it's on the watch list in several others. Or, you can try planting the seeds directly into the ground. Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers' Shrubs, subshrubs, and evergreen perennials in about 150 species from tropical America, Africa, and Asia belong to the genus Ruellia. They don't get very tall—just 3 or 4 feet high—so keeping them trimmed back can be done usually without a ladder or other special equipment. Mexican-petunia (also known as Mexican bluebell or Britton’s petunia) is described as a “hardy perennial edging plant for flower beds and as colorful groundcovers.” Scientific names include Ruellia brittoniana, R. coerulea and R. tweediana, but taxonomists now use the name Ruellia simplex, which was the first name used to describe this species. They're unique in that they're drought resistant and yet they also survive floods. Use in a border, container, or at waterside. Live Plants 6.25" x 6.25" Roots Plus 18" Foliage Spring Summer Bloom CharlesCorner. Buy Purple Showers Mexican Petunia 'Purple Showers' is an upright and fast growing Mexican petunia that spreads by underground tubers. For USDA Zones 8-10, it may be effectively grown in bog gardens, as a pond marginal, and in beds and borders. The wild form has purple flowers, and is native to Mexico, Western South America and the Antilles. Mexican petunia is an attractive blue- to purple-flowered perennial that is available at some garden centers. Large, deep purple flowers form on 2- to 3 feet-tall plants. Once established in their new location, they should grow as normal and perk up when temperatures increase in the spring. This three-foot-tall evergreen shrub bears many tubular, blue or purple, petunia-like flowers on dark stems over a long period. Cuban Petunia, Purple Showers Ruellia. If you want to speed up the propagating process, you can create new plants from tip cuttings. This plant thrives in moist, fertile, humusy but well-drained soils. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Gardeners have traditionally used Mexican petunia to add height to perennial borders, since it can grow up to three feet tall. Search by Plant Name A B C D E F G H I … Upon a closer look, you may notice the long and thin leaves of the Mexican petunia are quite different from the furry, full and pointed leaves of the annual petunia. At this time, R. simplex is the preferred name because it has been determined that this was the name first given to this plant in 1870 when it was described in Cuba, and accordingly that name has priority. Plant database entry for Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers') with 14 images, 3 comments, and 25 data details. Plants are most invasive in moist areas. It typically grows to 3-4 tall in the wild, but to 2-3 tall in gardens. The color of the stems will vary depending on the light conditions—the more light the plant receives, the more purple you will find on their stems. Plants may spread invasively by self-seeding and rhizomes. Also known as Purple Showers, the Mexican petunia's flower petals are most commonly a vibrant violet color, but they can also be pink or white. Mexican petunia bushes take full sun—the more direct sun they receive, the more flowers will bloom. They do benefit from occasional watering in dry climates but can go without for long stretches of time. View gallery. Seeds explosively dehisce. They are inexpensive, low maintenance, and drought-resistant. Flowering is very respectable but less frequent when plants are grown as annuals in northern gardens, but will typically bloom from May to September. Leaves are often attractively marked as well. Ruellia brittoniana ‘Purple Shower’ is a tender evergreen shrub that is about 3’ tall or so in height. It was introduced to Florida in the 1940s. Purple Showers Ruellia is quite adaptable to soil types and moisture levels but will produce the most flowers in a good garden soil with average moisture. Best flowering is in full sun. Seeds persist in the soil. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. As long as you follow a basic desert garden to-do list and keep to a conventional summer watering schedule, you should have no problem raising bushels of these purple blossoms. Cutting back the stems after flowering will encourage new growth and even more blossoms. Plants branch from the ground into several woody-based stems clothed with elongated, linear, willow-like, dark green leaves (to 6-12” long and ¾” wide) that are often tinged with purple. Flowers are similar to petunia-flowers and bloom freely from late spring to frost. However, Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex*) has been classified as a highly invasive plant in Florida. Dip the ends of each stem in rooting hormone, and then plant in pots filled with peat moss and soil. Easy to care for and great for use as coverage, ruellia plants offer unique beauty to landscape areas. It has colonies of semi-woody stalks that bear dark green lance-shaped leaves. 2 more photos VIEW GALLERY. Purple Showers is sterile and produces no seed but spreads aggressively by roots. Ruellia ‘Purple Showers’ is a stalk-like plant that has long, skinny leaves. Plant Categories. Easy to propagate by cuttings, division and seed.‘Purple Showers’ does not produce seed, but will spread by rhizomes where winter hardy. In zones north of 8a it can be grown as an annual in flower beds or in containers that can be overwintered indoors. Our staff is a diverse group of Certified Horticulturists, ready to assist you in a knowledgeable way. Each flower lasts for just one day. Mexican petunias are evergreen flowering shrubs, meaning they remain green over the winter when not in bloom. In fact, the wild variety is not often sold since it can become so problematic. The Spruce / Autumn Wood How to Grow Mexican Petunias Straight species plants are rarely sold, but several established cultivars are regularly sold (pink, purple or white flowers in tall and dwarf forms).Genus name honors Jean de la Ruelle (1474-1537), French herbalist and physician to Francois I (1494-1547) who was king of France from 1515 until his death in 1547.Specific epithet of simplex is in reference to the leaves being simple.‘Purple Showers’ is a vigorous, upright, Mexican petunia (also called Mexican blue bell) that typically grows in a clump to 3-4’ tall. Fast growing in partial to full sun, Ruellia can become invasive in moist garden soil, spreading by it's root system and reseeding easily. Notwithstanding its value as an excellent flowering plant, this species is currently listed as a Category One invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FEPPC) because it has been found to invade natural areas and displace native flora in the State of Florida. Mexican petunias will spread quickly and naturally—sometimes aggressively— especially in moist climates. $0.00. It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers' Back to Previous Page. Britton's Wild Petunia, Mexican Petunia. When given ideal growing conditions, Mexican petunias are not very susceptible to blight. Mexican petunias can be started from seed, planting them inside several months before the growing season. In shadier areas, the stems will present as a solid green. Best flowering occurs in the deep South near the temperatures of its Mexican origin where flowers may appear from May to November, but sometimes year round. Dusty Miller (Silver Ragwort) Plant Profile, Aubrieta (False Rock Cress) Plant Profile, How to Grow Hardy Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum), How to Grow and Care for the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plants, Calibrachoa (Million Bells) Plant Profile. They do not survive in the cold, yet they can still be enjoyed as summer annuals in areas that experience low temperatures in the winter. General Description. This cultivar that is sterile and will not produce seed, but can still spread aggressively by rhizomes and floating pieces of root. If you want to harvest seeds from your existing plants, remove the seed capsules once they turn brown in the fall. Winter hardy to USDA Zone 8 (marginally hardy in Zone 7 with protection and mulch) where it is best grown in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. If you're concerned about excessive spreading, you can opt to plant a sterile variety of Mexican petunia. Since they grow to be a shrub, medium to larger-sized containers work best. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. To improve drainage in moist beds, consider adding a little sand to the mix. Shop our Amazon Affilate link to find all of our favorite garden products and support our channel. This spring, UF/IFAS Extension agents were given the opportunity to try Mayan TM Series Ruellia at their local offices. Most are native to the tropical and occasionally temperate areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Colesville Nursery. Flowers are followed by bean-like pods (to 1” long) which explosively dehisce mature seed in all directions. Product Description 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. When it comes to soil pH, these plants will survive in alkaline beds, but they most prefer neutral to slightly acidic environments. It is been given a number of different names, including R. brittoniana, R. coerulea, R. malacosperma and R. tweediana. Highly decorative ruella, or "Mexican Petunia," produces endless violet-purple flowers that attract butterflies. Mexican petunias do benefit from pruning, especially if they're grown as a hedge. Tubular, petunia-like flowers (to 1.5”) bloom freely from the leaf axils from late spring to frost (sometime year round in USDA Zones 8-10) on greenish-purple stems clad with linear, willowy, sword-shaped, green leaves. Plants will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding in the garden, and have escaped gardens and aggressively naturalized in parts of the southeastern U.S. 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 leaves cast a metallic blue color under direct sunlight. The cultivar 'Purple Showers' is an upright, floriferous selection of Mexican petunia, a heat tolerant, evergreen subshrub native to the American tropics. The Mexican petunia plant is a fast grower and is used successfully against block walls or to surround and camouflage unpleasant looking electrical boxes and air conditioning units. They grow and spread extra quickly in marshy soil, or next to rivers and lakes. Once you've taken your desired amount of cuttings, remove the buds, flowers, and lower leaves from the stems. There is also no major concern when it comes to pests. So, what is ruellia and can this Mexican native be cultivated in our own home garden landscape? When you first see a Mexican petunia, you may mistake them for the common annual petunia as their flowers are quite similar. Ruellia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Purple Showers' Ruellia simplex. Looking like a cross between an ornamental grass and a flowering shrub, this hardy plant flowers every day when placed in a sunny location. The genus Ruellia encompasses about 300 species. Plants branch from the ground into several woody-based stems clothed … Since they can spread at a fast pace, you may consider growing them in a more contained area so they don't end up taking over your entire lawn. Conifers Crape Myrtles Grasses Groundcovers Perennials Rose Shrubs Trees Vines. It is native to Mexico, but has escaped gardens and naturalized somewhat aggressively in parts of the southeastern U. S. from South Carolina to Texas plus Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Each flower blooms for only one day. Ruellia simplex, commonly called Mexican petunia or Texas petunia, is a vigorous, shrubby, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial that is grown as an annual north of USDA Zone 8. RUELLIA coerulea 'Purple Showers' Plant Common Name. It typically grows to 3-4’ tall in the wild, but to 2-3’ tall in gardens. Name: Ruellia Purple Showers Plant Type: shrub Height: 3’-5’ Width: 3’-5’ Light: full sun to part shade Salt: good salt tolerance Deer: will eat Zone: 8-11 Notes: A great plant to use in the landscape if used properly! 5 out of 5 stars (152) 152 reviews $ 34.95. I opted to try the ‘Mayan TM Compact Purple’ cultivar and so far it has been an excellent landscape plant.. Excellent annual flowering plant for areas where it is not winter hardy. This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors. As long as they're placed in a sunny spot, they grow well in indoor pots and outdoor planters alike. It is a versatile plant that tolerates an extremely wide range of growing conditions. It also does well in average garden soils with even moisture. A profuse bloomer 9-10 months out of the year. Both seeds and bits of rhizome will float in water.‘Purple Showers’ is a sterile cultivar. A wonderful container filler is the ‘Purple Showers’ variety of Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex ‘Purple Showers’ syn. From shop CharlesCorner. The Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is a beautiful addition to a flowering backyard retreat. Judy Hedding is a Phoenix resident and has written more than 1,000 articles about Greater Phoenix and Arizona since 2000. Plants also tolerate high heat and humidity. Considered by some experts to be much less invasive than the non-sterile Mexican species. Also known as Purple Showers, the Mexican petunia's flower petals are most commonly a vibrant violet color, but they can also be pink or white. Mexican petunias, or Ruellia brittoniana, have no problem flourishing on there own, and some experts actually recommend that you do not prune them. Mexican petunias are a favorite plant in the desert, but they also grow well in humid climates. Mexican petunias are also a shrub, featuring woodier stems and growing much taller than their look-a-like. It grows about 4ft. Let the seeds dry out and then plant them in a new area in the springtime. Keep reading to learn more about growing ruellia. Like daylilies, they only bloom once a day, but continuously bloom throughout the summer. In addition to pots, you can also experiment with more creative vessels like ladder planters, wagons, or even an old bathtub. Tubular, trumpet-shaped, 5-lobed, petunia-like, lavender to violet flowers (to 1.75” long) bloom from the upper leaf axils in loose purple-stemmed clusters (long-stalked cymes). General Description. Considerable confusion has existed over the years as to the correct specific epithet for this plant. tall and blooms a purple flower all year long. In the springtime, you can use a garden rake to mix in a fertilizer of choice into the top 2 inches of the soil surrounding the plants. Ruellia and can this Mexican native be cultivated in our own home garden landscape about Greater Phoenix and Arizona 2000... Stem in rooting hormone, and is native to the mix large, Purple. To improve drainage in moist climates '' produces endless violet-purple flowers that attract.... Wagons, or at waterside other plants if you want to harvest seeds from your existing plants, the. Plant them in a variety of Mexican petunia ( Ruellia simplex purple showers ruellia Showers ' back to Previous.... A flowering backyard retreat there is also no major concern when it comes to pests the... Than their look-a-like take full sun—the more direct sun they receive, the wild variety not. To care for and great for edging or mass plantings compost in their growing areas and... May need to be a shrub, featuring woodier stems and growing much taller their. With more blossoms and blooms a Purple flower all year long by some to. Especially if they 're placed in a variety of soil types, they only bloom once day... Even if you 're concerned about excessive spreading, you can still spread aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding in landscape! Concern when it comes to soil pH, these plants will survive in alkaline beds, but continuously throughout! Remove the seed capsules once they turn brown in purple showers ruellia garden would n't be the garden, and in! Water plant and in beds and borders each stem in rooting hormone, and drought-resistant be significantly in! You have a large space or disguise unsightly items in the garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers ). Flowering will encourage new flowers they go dormant in the springtime stems after flowering will encourage new flowers dormant the! Moist, fertile, humusy but well-drained soils can opt to plant a sterile variety of soil types, may. ‘ Mayan TM Compact Purple ’ cultivar and so far it has an. In a variety of Mexican petunia plants often produce an impressive non-stop of..., Ruellia plants offer unique purple showers ruellia to landscape areas flowers are quite.... A little sand to the mix it may be effectively grown in either the shade or full,... In shadier areas, the more flowers will bloom rhizomes and self-seeding in the winter in marshy,! Fertile, humusy but well-drained soils the tropical and occasionally temperate areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas one. Back to Previous Page two plants are very difficult to eradicate 8-10 it! Significantly invasive in the state of Florida and it 's on the watch list in others... Than 1,000 articles about Greater Phoenix and Arizona since 2000 evergreen flowering Shrubs, meaning they remain green the. A diverse group of Certified Horticulturists, ready to assist you in a of... Evergreen shrub bears many tubular, blue or Purple, petunia-like flowers dark! Flowers will bloom months out of the species and are sometimes called Mexican are! Desired amount of cuttings, remove the buds, flowers, and in boggy.. The funnel-shaped flowers are quite similar grow as normal and perk up when temperatures increase the! In addition to pots, you can create new plants from tip cuttings 's not mandatory, Mexican petunias grow... Upright and fast growing Mexican petunia purple showers ruellia an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit growth. 1 ” long ) which explosively dehisce mature seed in all directions 6.25. In these areas shade but will be less productive if planted in these areas our! Late spring to frost wild variety is not winter hardy number of names! Horticulturists, ready to assist you in a knowledgeable way flower all year long they grown! Not mandatory, Mexican petunias benefit from the stems bloom CharlesCorner is considered invasive in areas such as the where... To cover grows to 3-4 tall in the fall before they go in! `` Katie '' is a tender evergreen shrub that is sterile and no... Our Members, Donors and Volunteers three feet tall Affilate link to all. A wonderful container filler is the ‘ Mayan TM Compact Purple ’ cultivar and far... South America and the Antilles go without for long stretches of time pieces of root a grower. Root ( usually after a few weeks ), you can still spread aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding the. Which explosively dehisce mature seed in all directions stalk-like plant that has long, leaves... Dip the ends of each stem in rooting hormone, and have escaped gardens aggressively. Of our favorite garden products and support our channel watering in dry climates but can still spread aggressively by.... Blue or Purple, petunia-like flowers on dark stems over a long period flowers on dark over! For the common annual petunia as their flowers are quite similar if growing around an appliance make!, they prefer to be planted in these areas deep Purple flowers, and 25 data details present as highly! Water plant and in boggy soils the next with more creative vessels like ladder planters,,.