Ruellia strepens
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: wild petunia
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Acanthaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: New Jersey to Texas and Florida
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to September
Bloom Description: Lilac to lavender
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers

Culture

Easily grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates close to full shade.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Wild petunia or smooth ruellia is native to Missouri where it typically occurs in rich open woods, thickets and borders of streams and ponds throughout the State. It is a glabrous (without hairs) to sparingly hairy clump-forming perennial that grows 1-3’ tall. Features pale lilac to lavender petunia-like flowers (to 2” long) with five flaring lobes. Flowers bloom in the leaf axils from May to September. Opposite oval leaves to 6” long. Genus name honors 15th–16th century French herbalist, Jean de la Ruelle.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Woodland, shade or native plant gardens.

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