skip to main content

Ozarks Gardening

Mexican Petunias

12 years ago

On a hunch, I went to Jink's a few days ago and they had the tall Mexican Petunias I love so much -- Ruellia brittoniana "Purple Showers." (Be still my heart!!!) Boy, they looked husky and healthy -- unlike the poor things I overwintered as cuttings from last year's cuttings. So I have new blood now and All Is Well. Because I can't imagine not having them blooming their heads off at the gate.

Just thought I'd give you a heads up. Not so many unusual perinneals as a few years ago, but still worth the trip out there.

Sunny

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

helenh
12 years ago
I don't need plants but something tells me I'll probably be going to diamond.
0
sunnyside1
Original Author
12 years ago
I'll just bet you go, and will somehow make room for those hot Ruellias!
Sunny
0
Related Discussions
Please...how to take cuttings from Mexican Petunia...
Q
Comments (7)
I think the air stone just keeps the water fresher for longer. I've read about that too, but honestly, I get plenty of success without additional devices added to the simple cup of water. It's certainly worth to try if someone wants to, but imo, not necessary. An example of the simple water container doing the trick is from your own bunch of stems left outside without nary a person caring about them, and they still look good for using as a new plant. In my case, I just cut some of the tops off the growing tips. That lets the remaining plant make branches to grow out and I get some stems to root for making more new plants. I've rooted them in water or sticking them in the ground (and keeping it moist). This is one of the easier plants to root.
...See More
mexican petunia AKA ruellia won't bloom
Q
Comments (8)
We had a drought in April/May in SC and i wasn't home to water them. They are not as tall as they have been in previous years and have not gotten one bloom on them. I have watered consistantly since I have been home and used Miracle Grow, and still nothing. I guess just wait until next year to see if they are okay. Oh, neighbor has the same problem, stunted in growth and no blooms. But she was home to water them in the spring. Any ideas?
...See More
Have some Mexican Petunia's to give in Central, IL
Q
Comments (1)
All gone, thanks
...See More
Just how aggressive is Ruella (Mexican Petunia)??
Q
Comments (17)
Looks like a big one to me, Bostedo. I'd leave it in a pot sitting on your driveway cement until it gets big enough to be sure of the type and whether it produces seed pods or not. That way runners can't move out and any seed pods will drop their seed on cement. Looks like the hybrid "Mayan" strains are sterile but there would still be runner issues. You might want to sweep that area of your driveway daily (into a dust pan to discard them) until you're certain what you're dealing with. ;) This site might help Bostedo: https://www.hmaplants.com/varieties/ruellia-brittoniana-compacta-blue/ I just went out and looked at my 3 empty pots and they don't specify the specific type of Ruellia I bought. I read on one site it takes 2 months for seed pods to develop after the flower drops away, so we should know what we have about 8 weeks from first flow drops. I planted my first Ruellia about a month ago, so 4 more weeks for me. :)
...See More
mosswitch
12 years ago
Haven't been out there yet this spring but it's on my list. Maybe tomorrow. Got a black petunia at Westwood Gardens in Rogers, yesterday. Truly black! Called Black Velvet. Love it! It's going to be striking in a pot with an applebloom pink one, euphorbia and pink variegated sweet potato vine.
0
sunnyside1
Original Author
12 years ago
If you all can stand One More Post on tall Mexican petunias -- when I was digging out the old petunia stubs to put new soil in the big container, there was growth coming up on 2 out of 3 planted last year. So that means they really are perinneals in Zone 7a winter!
Sunny
0
helenh
12 years ago
Except that we didn't have winter this year. They may be perennials in a normal winter. Black and Blue salvia seems to be, but I'm just saying last winter was not a good test.
0
sunnyside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Well,talk about a Party Pooper! lol I'm betting you, Helen, that if I am patient, the things will restart next Spring -- unless, of course, we have an ice age, which wouldn't surprise me -- nothing much does, about our weather--
Sunny
0
helenh
12 years ago
Sorry to be a party popper; I do tend to be a worry wort. I bought a deciduous Azalea at Lowe's this evening. I wanted to buy one in bloom so I could smell it. The ones with buds a couple weeks ago were gone. This one doesn't look like it is going to bloom this year, but I took a chance anyway. I am trying not to buy too many plants because watering is not fun in July.
0
christie_sw_mo
12 years ago
Sunny - Were your petunias up against your house? Those two that wintered over will be more established and MIGHT have a chance at getting through next winter too. It doesn't hurt to try.

Someone in another forum in zone 6 reported that their Tropical Milkweed returned. If I'd known we were going to have such a warm winter, I would have left mine in the ground and mulched it and my lantana as well. I tried keeping both of those in my basement and they died.

I don't think it ever got down into the single digits last winter here. That would be closer to zone 8 than 7. Not likely to happen again unless global warming is moving faster than they thought.

Sounds like you'd be happy with Purple Showers even if you have to grow it as an annual every year. I'm going to watch for it.
0
mosswitch
12 years ago
I planted my Mexian petunia with the native ruellias that I moved into my garden from the field out back. Be interesting to see how they compare and if they will hybridize. Guess I'll have to try and save seeds and see.
0
sunnyside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Christie, they were in a large planter on the north side and in front of a chain-link fence. However, the south side does receive sun all day.
0
helenh
12 years ago
Keep the pictures coming Sunny. I like that dark purple flower and dark stems.
0
gldno1
12 years ago
Beautiful flowers. I have the native ruellia but I mow the ditches each year so I don't know how tall it would get if left alone.. The bloom looks the same only paler.
0
christie_sw_mo
12 years ago
That makes it even more surprising that they would survive the winter in a planter that has northern exposure. Wow!
0
beerhog
12 years ago
Here they take over everything. They spread by runners. Show up everywhere.
0

Related Stories

GRASSES 10 Ways to Use Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

By Laura Gaskill

These low-maintenance plants can add beauty, texture and privacy to any size garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Desert Ruellia Brings Beauty to Dry Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Abundant purple flowers and bright green foliage would make this shrub a winner even without its unthirsty ways

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Essential Native Shrubs for Southwestern Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Look no further than these Southwestern beauties for a colorful, low-maintenance landscape

EARTH DAY Create a Container Wildlife Habitat for Hummingbirds and Butterflies

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Don’t let limited space prevent you from welcoming wildlife into your garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen

Protect your privacy and keep deer at bay with a planting trio that turns a problem garden area into a highlight

CONTAINER GARDENS Choose Complementary Colors for Dazzling Container Gardens

By Olander Garden Design

Red and green, purple and yellow, and blue and orange are opposing pairs that work in perfect harmony

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Plants for Colorful Fall Blooms in the Drought-Tolerant Garden

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want fall color but not a big water bill? Consider these not-too-thirsty fall bloomers

CALIFORNIA GARDENING California Gardener's April Checklist

Outsmart droughts with water-savvy plants and sustainable approaches that suit the landscape

COLOR Relax and Reflect in a Blue Landscape

Find sanctuary by introducing this well-loved hue outside

Sponsored

More Discussions

verbena (glandularia) canadensis blooming already

6

DNA used to resolve tree theft case

1

First caterpillars for this year and they're Monarchs

2

StLouis tree identification please

4

If these were maples they would be different species

2