Botanical Name: Ruellia brittoniana

Height: 12″
Width: 12″
Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun
Performance: Perennial
Bloom: Blue, Pink

Prolific petunia-like flowers rest atop this dwarf Ruellia’s lush, lance shaped foliage. Honored as a Texas Superstar, this plant is tough-as-nails and easy to grow, neglect will not be an issue. Plant in full sun for summer long color, if planted in partial shade flowering will not be as profuse. It is extremely versatile to use in moist or dry locations — Ruellia is drought-tolerant once established, but showiest if regularly watered.

Most commonly referred to as R. brittoniana in the green industry, but there is still debate over the plant’s botanical classification. Today, its original name R. simplex is preferred by botanist. This was the first name given to the plant when it was discovered in Cuba in 1870. The Genus Ruellia is named after Jean de la Ruelle, a French botanist and physician to Francois I, the king of France from 1515-1547. The species simplex refers to the plant’s simple leaves.

This is one heat hardy perennial for north Texas!