Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells (Ruellia brittoniana)

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Cajun2 (Carole) Cleveland, TX(Zone 9a) Aug 23, 2003

Common name: Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Ruellia
Species brittoniana

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1428/

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Post #625103
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Kaufmann GOD's Green Earth, United States(Zone 8b) Aug 23, 2003

Hi Cajun:

I have three that appear to be the same variety as that which you have. Mine have pale pink blossoms that last for a day. I too love mine!

Gretchen

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wickerjac Sweetwater, TN(Zone 7b) Aug 24, 2003

Hi cajun, I too have one like yours. I also love it here is a picture when it was still young. Does anyone know for sure if it comes back?

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Post #625959
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htop San Antonio, TX(Zone 8b) Aug 29, 2003

Your picture captures the great bloom color of this type of Mexican petunia. The blooma show up better against the dark green foliage than the darker purple ones. There are many types of Mexican petunias which differ by bloom color, denseness of the foliage, stem thickness, leaf size and shape, reseeding characteristics and heighth. Some are dwarf, some are about 2.5 feet tall with others growing to a heighth of around 4-5 feet.

Answering wickerjac's question, these plants freeze to the ground during a hard freeze, then grow back from the roots in spring. Light freezes burn the foliage and damage stems, the leaves fall (replaced by new ones in the spring) and damaged stems must be pruned back. The plant can be pruned to almost ground level in the spring to encourage denseness.

If planting them in an area that experiences very cold weather, place a very heavy mulch around them.

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Cajun2 (Carole) Cleveland, TX(Zone 9a) Aug 29, 2003

I've also heard that their seed pods EXPLODE, throwing seeds about the garden (to insure next year's planting ; )
I just noticed seed pods on mine this week, so I gathered the dark ones (ripe). I placed them in a small envelope, with the top open to be sure they were dry enough. When I came back to my desk after making dinner, one or two pods had opened and there were seeds all over my desk.

So it sounds to me like you could call this one a 'self-seeder' (smile)

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wickerjac Sweetwater, TN(Zone 7b) Aug 30, 2003

Well here it is, a little older now and still one of my favorites. I'm glad it will come back

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Cajun2 (Carole) Cleveland, TX(Zone 9a) Sep 01, 2003

GREAT picture, wickerjac!!!
I can hardly wait for mine to get that tall ~ it's well on its way!!

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