Wild Petunia

 In
Wild Petunia

Ruellia nudiflora
Ruellia nudiflora
Violet Ruellia, Longneck Ruellia
U.S. Gulf Coast, west to Arizona, and south through Central America
1

2 feet
1

2 feet
  • Central Texas
  • Texas
  • Full Sun
  • Part Sun/Shade
  • Low
  • Flowering
  • Attracts Pollinators

About This Plant

Wild petunia is an herbaceous perennial with purple trumpet flowers in summer. The 2″ flowers last for a day, opening at dawn and dropping by afternoon. Exploding seed capsules propel the seeds out from the parent plant. Often found growing with lawn grasses, it reseeds readily and can withstand mowing. In fact it’s a good selection for a rain garden or native woodland.

Although the flowers are similar, Wild Petunia shares nothing but a name with the potted petunias used as bedding plants. The invasive Mexican petunia is a related species, but the leaf shape is different.

Maintenance

None needed; cut back after each flush of blooms for a tidier plant. It can be evergreen depending on conditions, but it goes dormant after a strong freeze.

Features

Plant Type:
Perennial
Size:
1-2' H, 1-2' W
Sunlight Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Types:
Clay, Sandy
Wildlife:
Bees, Butterflies, Butterfly Larvae, Pollinators
Flower Color:
Purple, White
Bloom Time:
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
No
Caution:
None
Coupon Eligible:
No

This plant goes well with

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