Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures by color ( Purple ), 0 by htop

htop wrote:
Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells, Blue Shade (Ruellia brittoniana), Acanthaceae Family, naturalized, perennial, blooms from early spring until the first freeze, dies down and comes back from the roots

Blue shade is a wonderful groundcover that blooms nonstop and takes no care unless it spreads where you don't want it (easily removed). It is a fast grower that will cover an area quickly. It can also be grown in hanging baskets and containers. Not picky about soil, not needing a lot of water, appearing to be insect pest free, fast growing, nice foliage and beautiful flowers make this an excellent ground cover. It makaes a great xeriscape, rock garedn (under a large shrub) or wildscape plant.

For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38180/index.html

Desert petunia's, (blue shade's) growth habit and new leaves. The leaves may appear a grayish green due to the fine hairs on the leaves.

This message was edited Aug 8, 2005 6:39 PM