Will Ruellia Overwinter in Raleigh....?

Have a wonderful white Ruellia plant that I got in a trade this summer from someone in Texas (presumedly zone 7, like us, but maybe zone 8). This plant has proven to be incredibly tough, pretty and easy to grow here, but I keep getting mixed info on whether it will or will not overwinter in our zone. Best guess is it will make it through a mild winter...Most books list it as a tender perennial, but I know the plant was originally growing at an abandoned house, which suggests it may have come through a Texas winter, which is very much like ours. Anyone grown Ruellia here?

My plant book says good to 10 degrees but will survive lower temps if sheltered. Needs a lot of winter sun. Hope this helps.

The tall purple form of Ruellia brittoniana and the pink 'Chi Chi' will overwinter in Raleigh. Plants will die back to the ground with frost but will come back in the spring. A bit of mulch would be helpful.

Also watch for reseeding. Even if it doesn't come back it may reseed.

Thanks for the answers--I will mulch and think good thoughts. Hope to see it in the spring!

I have been growing Ruellia brittoniana here in Raleigh (N. Wake Co) for a few years now and it does come back every year. Mine tend to come back late however but that may be due to it's very dry location. I don't irrigate either. It tends to bloom very late in the season for me as well. Of course, in the several years that I have had it planted we haven't had a 'real' Z7 winter so I don't know if it will tolerate a true Ral winter. I have a lot of stuff like that!

Kathy

Mine is still hanging in there despite the 70's last week and the 20's early in the fall and this week. I was so impressed with how tough this plant was last summer that I was willing to bring it in to save it, but it appears to be doing OK. I noticed a few plants got chill damage last night for the first time, but its fine. Glad you told me yours come back late, so I won't disturb it even if I think its dead. Thanks~