Ruellia
brittoniana
(Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue
Bells, Mexican Petunia, Ruellia coerulea, Ruellia ignorantiae,
Ruellia microphylla, Ruellia spectabilis, Ruellia tweediana)
Origin: Native of Mexico
Family: Acathanceae
Light: Full sun
Height: 2-4'
Spacing: 1.5'
Blooms: 1.5-2" long x 1/2-3/4" across, pink or purple, funnel-shaped, clusters, repeated blooms, mid-Summer till frost
Foliage: Herbaceous, evergreen, 6-12" long, dark green, narrow, lance-shaped, metallic tinge, opposite at nodes
Soil: Well-drained, mildly acidic, neutral, mildly alkaline, drought tolerant
Water: Low
Uses: Xeriscaping, rock garden, butterfly garden, bee garden, bird garden, mass, background planting, indoors
Propagation: Seeds, stem cuttings, rootball divisions, stem cuttings
Insects/Disease: None
Comments:
Ruellia brittoniana or Desert Petunia or Florida Bluebells or Mexican Blue Bells or Mexican Petunia or Ruellia coerulea or Ruellia ignorantiae or Ruellia microphylla or Ruellia spectabilis or Ruellia tweediana is a tender evergreen perennial with a tall, vigorous, colonizing growth habit. It is a native of Mexico. Ruellia brittoniana comes in several forms. The ones growing in Jenny's Garden are purple, pink and white. From mid-Summer till frost, Desert Petunia produces showy funnel-shaped flowers. Butterflies and bees are magnetized by the nectar-rich flowers while birds enjoy feasting on the seeds. It has dark green narrow, lance-shaped, metallic-tinged foliage borne on long woody stems. Florida Bluebells are easily propagated from seeds, stem cuttings or rootball divisions. Mexican Blue Bells thrives best in well-drained acidic or alkaline soil in a sunny environment. It is low maintenance and tolerates drought well hence it is ideal for xeriscaping. Ruellia microphylla forms roots when the lower branches touches the ground. It can also be container cultivated to contain its spread. Mexican Petunia self sows readily and soon forms a nice colony. Trim to maintain shape and size. Ruellia spectabilis is sun-loving. It brightens the sunny deck or patio with its floriferous blooms and attractive foliage. Use Ruellia coerulea as terrific backdrops for shorter perennials. It can also be grown indoors with light provided. Ruellia ignorantiae looks delightful in the rock garden. It is eye-catching and continuously blooms its heart out in the Summer landscape. Ruellia tweediana is popularly cultivated by many hobbyists for its beauty and minimal care. It can be grown in zone 7 with heavy mulching in Winter. The purple, pink and white Ruellia brittoniana plants are happily thriving in Jenny's Garden.
USDA Zones: 8-11
JennysGarden.com...Plant
images
and gardening descriptions of Ruellia brittoniana (Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue Bells, Mexican Petunia, Ruellia coerulea, Ruellia ignorantiae, Ruellia microphylla, Ruellia spectabilis, Ruellia tweediana) growing in
Jenny's Garden
