Culture: Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Ruellia humilis, commonly called wild petunia, is a native perennial which occurs in dryish soils in open woods, glades, prairies and fields throughout the State except for the far southeastern lowlands. Typically grows to 2′ tall. Features tubular, bell-shaped, petunia-like flowers (to 3″ long), each with five shallow rounded lobes. May to October bloom period. Lavender to lilac flowers appear singly or in clusters in the upper leaf axils. Oblong to lanceolate, olive green leaves to 4″ long. Leaves and stems are hairy.
Genus name honors Jean de la Ruelle (1474-1537), French herbalist and physician to Francois I (1494-1547) who was king of France from 1515 until his death in 1547. Specific epithet means low-growing or dwarfish.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
Garden Uses: Borders, rock gardens, native plant gardens, wild gardens or prairies.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Wild Petunia is native to much of the eastern US. This lovely plant isn’t actually a petunia (which are relatives of the tomato) but rather a member of the Acanthaceae family. Either way, the resemblance is striking. Standing about a foot in height, Wild Petunia is an excellent addition to a bed with other short plants. In ideal conditions, this plant can exceed one foot and spread quite vigorously. Blooming throughout the hottest, driest times of the summer, Wild Petunia is sure to please while other plants are withering away. It is quite a hardy species as well, handling most conditions you could throw at it, save for swampy soils and shade. In fact, it’s so hardy that it can be a bit aggressive, so keep an eye on where seedlings turn up. It does great as a ground cover, with a sidewalk or something to contain it. When mature, the seeds literally explode from the plant, traveling upwards of 10 feet!
When in flower, Wild Pentunia attracts a wide variety of insect pollinators, but the lavender blooms are especially attractive to long tongued bees and butterflies. It is also a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly. Other common names for Ruellia humilis include Prairie Petunia, Fringeleaf Wild Petunia, and Hairy Ruellia.
Price range: $6.00 through $12.00
