What can you tell me about the Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana)?

Is it invasive? And If so, will it spread in all directions if planted? Is it a border plant? etc.

What can you tell me about the Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana)?
There is more than one type of Mexican Petunia. I love gardening! I highly recomment www.davesgarden.com for anyone seriously interested in gardening, whether you are an old hand or a beginner!
Reply:Mexican Bluebell.


October, 1999


Ruellia brittoniana1


Edward F. Gilman2


Introduction


Mexican Bluebell is an upright or spreading perennial that


is known as a strong grower under adverse conditions (Fig. 1).


This 18- to 30-inch-tall plant has light green leaves that are


medium in texture. Blue, violet, red or pink flowers appear on


this perennial in the spring, summer and fall. These flowers are


showy, and their nectar is appealing to various species of


butterflies. Plants can grow into small flowering shrubs in the


warmest parts of south Florida where freezes do not occur.


General Information


Scientific name: Ruellia brittoniana


Pronunciation: roo-EL-lee-uh brit-TOE-nee-uh


Common name(s): Mexican Bluebell


Family: Acanthaceae


Plant type: perennial; herbaceous


USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11 (Fig. 2)


Planting month for zone 8: year round


Planting month for zone 9: year round


Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round


Origin: not native to North America


Uses: ground cover; mass planting; attracts butterflies


Availablity: grown in small quantities by a small number of


nurseries


Description


Height: 2 to 3 feet


Spread: 1 to 2 feet


Plant habit: spreading; upright


Plant density: moderate


Growth rate: moderate


Texture: fine


Foliage


Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite


Leaf type: simple


Ruellia brittoniana -- Mexican Bluebell Page 2


October 1999


Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.


Leaf margin: entire Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping


Leaf shape: linear


Leaf venation: parallel


Leaf type and persistence: deciduous


Leaf blade length: 8 to 12 inches


Leaf color: green


Fall color: no fall color change


Fall characteristic: not showy


Flower


Flower color: blue; violet; red; pink


Flower characteristic: spring flowering; summer flowering;


fall flowering


Fruit


Fruit shape: unknown


Fruit length: unknown


Fruit cover: unknown


Fruit color: unknown


Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy


Trunk and Branches


stems


Current year stem/twig color: reddish


Current year stem/twig thickness: thin


Culture


Light requirement: plant grows in the shade


Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; sand; loam; clay;


Drought tolerance: moderate


Soil salt tolerances: poor


Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches


Other


Roots: sprouts from roots or lower trunk


Winter interest: no special winter interest


Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding


Invasive potential: not known to be invasive


Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests


Ruellia brittoniana -- Mexican Bluebell Page 3


October 1999


Use and Management


Mexican Bluebell may be used as ground covers and in


perennial borders. They are attractive when massed together or


planted in a container where flexible stems droop over the pot.


Place Ruellia in an area of the landscape that receives full


to partial shade. These species will grow best in well-drained


soils and are very drought and salt tolerant. Ruellia species will


be frozen to the ground in the winter but regrowth should occur


from the roots.


These plants may be propagated by seed or cuttings.


Ruellia can become invasive, as it readily reseeds itself.


Pests and Diseases


No pests or diseases are of major concern.
Reply:my mother had these, they are beautful, I don't remember them being very invasive