Can you tell me what this is?

18 years ago

You all were so helpful with my last question, I have another. I've noticed this plant in two different yards now. (And yes, I am getting braver but no one was home for me to ask at either place.)

The first thing that caught my eye was the intense "blue" blooms. As a matter of fact, I would not have noticed the plant at all in the first yard had it not been for the way the color grabbed my attention. In the whole "blue debate", some may think it is more purple than blue but to me, it appeared to be more blue than purple...whatever the color, it is an intense, stand-out, can't-miss-it shade) The blooms remind me of petunia or morning glory blooms only a bit smaller with the "trumpet-shape" more pronounced. Both are bushes approximately 3 feet tall. The dark green leaves with a deeper purple undertone reminded me a little of Oleander. Its branches are single, straight stalks with leaves the entire length and the flowers are scattered along the branches near the leaves (in singles). One was in full sun and one was in partial shade. Both are still blooming but were blooming more heavily 4-6 weeks ago.

Any clue as to what this might be?

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Comments (10)

alicia7b
18 years ago
My guess is Ruellia britonnia.
hemlady
18 years ago
Salvia/Sage?

Denise
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Claire Pickett
18 years ago
Homey, since you use the word "petunia," it might interest you to know that ruellia is known as "mexican petunia." At BB they are hugely in bloom right now, not so hugely in my garden!
alicia7b
18 years ago
I didn't spell it right in my first post, it's Ruellia brittoniana.

Here is a link that may be useful: Ruellia brittoniana, or Mexican petunia. The hardiness zones on the web page are too conservative, Ruellia is hardy in zone 7. Plant Delights also has a close-up photo of the flower under Ruellia, tall purple form.

There are several salvias still blooming now but I'm can't think of a blue/purple one that has leaves reminiscent of an oleander.
homegrownsc
Original Author
18 years ago
I suppose it probably is Ruellia brittoniana as it does very closely resemble it in some ways but most of the pictures I've googled are close-ups and the leaves seem to be more narrow and more abundant than the ones in question. The ones that I've seen seem more "airy" than the pictures...not so many and so so close together. Also, the color doesn't come across quite the same in the pictures but I suppose that could be because of growing conditions. Let me know what you think.

Puppyscruff, did you grow yours from seed? It's not hardy here, is it? Any way I could see a picture of yours for comparison?

Thank you. I really appreciate your help. Love strikes my fickle heart yet again!
alicia7b
18 years ago
I think the plant in question is Ruellia. Pictures can be misleading, plus the individuals chosen for cultivation, cultural conditions, etc can make a difference in how the plant looks. There's a Ruellia in the JC Raulston Arboretum perennial border that sounds just like your description -- the leaves aren't as thin or numerous as the one in the weblink above.
alicia7b
18 years ago
Oh, I wanted to add that Ruellia is hardy here -- I just grow the one native to our area, but the ruellia in the arboretum has been there for 5 years.
lynnencfan
18 years ago
I have what was labeled as Mexican Petunia in my garden also and was told that it should be treated as an annual. Thank goodness I didn't get my normal garden cleanup done that winter and when I was about to pull it out the following spring I noticed little sprigs of green. It is on its 3rd winter in my garden and is just a beautiful plant. Very upright and airy - blooms it's heart out from mid-July - on. This is the first year that I have noticed some small seedlings and plan to pot them up for the plant exchange next spring. Mine is pink. The blue one sounds very pretty too
homegrownsc
Original Author
18 years ago
You all are the greatest! I'll have to watch for these to see if they come back as it will probably be best now to wait until Spring to bring one home. Please remind me what BB stands for...have "heard" it mentioned before but since it's not down my way, I didn't make a mental note to remember it. Do they have online shopping by any chance?
Claire Pickett
18 years ago
Homegrown, no digital camera here...sorry. You, too? I bought mine at BB in sanford where they have various heights and colors.

Can you tell me what this is?

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Can you tell me what this is?

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