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Ruellia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Compacta Katie'

Ruelliasimplex

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Family
Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Ruellia (roo-EL-ee-uh)
Info
Species
simplex (SIM-plecks)
Info
Synonym
Ruellia brittoniana
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Medium Purple
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Clearwater, Florida

Austin, Texas

Corpus Christi, Texas

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shellabella
West Central, FL (Zone 9b) | August 2006 | positive

So far this compact variety has done well in my garden . It seems to adjust to the heat and summer rains well. It blooms better with some...Read More

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