Description

Ruellia brittoniana (syn. Ruellia simplex), commonly known as Mexican Petunia or Bluebell, is a versatile, long-blooming perennial prized for its showy, petunia-like flowers and adaptability to a wide range of conditions, including wet and dry soils. Native to Mexico, this herbaceous perennial forms an upright, spreading clump of dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaves (3-5 inches long) on reddish-brown, slightly square stems . From spring through fall (March to October), and nearly year-round in frost-free climates, it produces an abundance of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue-purple, pink, or white, each lasting only one day, but blooming continuously from summer to fall in an ever-changing display . The flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators . Flowering is followed by small, bean-like seed capsules that explode when ripe, scattering seeds . Exceptionally adaptable, drought-tolerant once established, and tolerant of wet soils, it is an outstanding choice for borders, mass plantings, rain gardens, containers, and as a colorful ground cover. However, it can be invasive in some regions; check local guidelines before planting .