Mexican Petunia (Dwarf)
Mexican Petunia (Dwarf)
–
Ruellia simplex ‘Katie’
‘Katie’ Ruellia, ‘Bonita’ Ruellia, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Ruellia, Mexican Bluebell
1
–
1 feet
2
–
3 feet
Mexico
Full Shade
Full Sun
Part Sun/Shade
Low
Flowering
Previous
Next
About This Plant
Sun or partial shade; herbaceous, often freezing back in winter. ‘Katie’ is a low-growing Mexican petunia branching from the ground with woody stems and long willow-like leaves. Flowers are purple (‘Katie’) or pink (‘Bonita’). This dwarf form of Mexican petunia was first noticed in a nursery in Conroe, TX and makes a hardy low groundcover for shaded areas.
The wild form of Mexican petunia has the same flowers but grows tall and thin, up to four feet; it is famously invasive, overrunning other garden plants by the roots and escaping from yards into creekways. Some gardeners report that even the dwarf ‘Katie’ eventually reverts to the parent form when it propagates.
Maintenance
Appreciates some supplemental summer water; grooming, especially in winter when dead tissues can be pruned as needed. Expect ‘Katie’ to spread, even among bricks and concrete if there’s enough moisture. Pull or grub as needed to keep it from spreading into other plants’ root zones.
Features
Plant Type:
Groundcover
Size:
1-1' H, 2-3' W
Sunlight Requirements:
Full Shade, Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Types:
Clay, Sandy, Well drained
Wildlife:
Butterflies
Flower Color:
Lavender, Pink, Purple, White
Bloom Time:
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Caution:
None
Coupon Eligible:
No
This plant goes well with
- List Item #1
- List Item #2
- List Item #3
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