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Butterfly and hummingbird attractant, Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple
Showers' (Tall Mexican Petunia) shows off its
pretty floriferous blooms |
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Ruellia brittoniana
(Mexican Petunia, False Petunia) |
Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus)
Origin: Native to Mexico
Light: Full sun
Height: 6-12" (dwarf) 4-5' (tall)
Spread: 12-15"
Blooms: Year-round, showy, bell-shaped, purple, in
mid-Spring
Foliage: Evergreen,
lance-shaped
Soil: Well-drained, drought tolerant
Water: Regular
Propagation: Seeds, divisions
Uses: Mass planting, back of the border, border, bedding
Caution: Can be invasive if given lots of water.
Comments: Ruellia brittoniana or Mexican Petunia or False Petunia is a beautiful tender perennial with
strong semi-woody stalks that is so easy to grow with little maintenance.
In full sun, blooms will turn metallic bluish cast. Theses plants attract bumble
bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Trim them back in Spring.
The dwarf versions are clump-forming and makes colorful groundcover,
border or bedding plants. They come in 2 other cultivars with colors of white
and pink
USDA Hardiness Zones : 1-10 |
