Ruellia brittoniana Tall Purple Form

This selection of the Mexican native, R. brittoniana, makes a great garden plant in all but the driest locations. While it is typically grown as a bog or marginal water plant, it takes everything from moderate salinity to typical garden conditions. For us, the 3'+ tall, green-purple stems are adorned with 10", linear, green leaves. Emerging from the leaf axils are 2", purple, petunia-like flowers. Although each flower only lasts 1 day, the procession of flowers from early summer until frost is constant, except under drought conditions. Expect the clumps to expand via seed and short rhizomes to 5' wide in 3 years, with good conditions. We do not recommed these for tropical or semi-tropical moist climates where they grow and multiply too well.