(Ruellia)

The genus Ruellia encompasses about 300 species. Most are native to the tropical and occasionally temperate areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. They are typically perennial herbs or shrubs with showy flowers.

Leaves are variable in shape and color, held opposite of each other on the stems and are without lobes. Large flowers are usually funnel-shaped ending with five, spreading lobes. They are produced singly or in clusters from the ends of the branches or the joint between the...

(Ruellia)

This rugged native evergreen shrub of the Sonoran desert in Mexico is a rare blue-flowered plant capable of thriving in less than ideal conditions. This dense, waist-high shrub features tight branching and small leaves held in clusters. It has been known to flower more than once a year when there is rain in summer in the desert and may flower year round in the garden when watered.

The flowers are large, deep violet and shaped like a funnel but ending with five, spreading lobes. In spring they...

(Carolina Wild Petunia)

Bearing petunia-like blooms in late spring and summer, this herbaceous perennial from woodlands of the eastern and central United States makes an excellent subject for naturalistic gardens.

The paired oval leaves and erect to sprawling stems of this highly variable perennial are usually lined with conspicuous hairs. The leaves are a favored food of common buckeye butterfly larvae. Scatterings of showy, lavender-blue blooms appear at the stem tips and leaf axils in late spring and early summer....

(Ruellia)

Laughing at brutal summer heat and humidity, this low shrubby evergreen perennial from Brazil bears bright hummingbird-attracting flowers over a long season. The dazzling red tubular flowers with wide-flaring lobes appear on wiry upright stems above dense clumps of oval medium green leaves. The opposite leaves are fuzzy and sometimes gray-tinged. Flowers are produced spring to fall (or year-round in frost-free climates), attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants spread slowly to form a large...

(Fringe-leaf Ruellia, Hairy Wild Petunia)

The hairy, silvery light green leaves of the hairy wild petunia is a perfect companion to the lavender summertime flowers. This upright, infrequently branching perennial blooms in very late spring to late summer, with a two-month-long season. Fall frosts kill the plant back to its roots. Hairy wild petunia is native to the eastern half of the United States.

The fuzzy light green leaves are pointed ovals that occur in opposite pairs along the hairy stems. Two flowers arise at the base of the leaf...

(Cuban Petunia)

The genus Ruellia encompasses about 300 species. Most are native to the tropical and occasionally temperate areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. They are typically perennial herbs or shrubs with showy flowers.

Leaves are variable in shape and color, held opposite of each other on the stems and are without lobes. Large flowers are usually funnel-shaped ending with five, spreading lobes. They are produced singly or in clusters from the ends of the branches or the joint between the...

(Cuban Petunia, Purple Showers Ruellia)

The genus Ruellia encompasses about 300 species. Most are native to the tropical and occasionally temperate areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. They are typically perennial herbs or shrubs with showy flowers.

Leaves are variable in shape and color, held opposite of each other on the stems and are without lobes. Large flowers are usually funnel-shaped ending with five, spreading lobes. They are produced singly or in clusters from the ends of the branches or the joint between the...

(Limestone Wild Petunia, Wild Smooth Petunia)

Across the central eastern United States, partially sunny to dappled shade openings in woodlands or grasslands are home to the limestone wild petunia. This upright, sometimes branching perennial produces lavender-plum and white flowers from very late spring to fall, depending on climate. Fall frosts kill the plant back to its roots.

The green leaves are large pointed ovals that occur in opposite pairs along the square stems. Flowers arise at the base of the leaves. Usually two develop and are...

(Red Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel, Sour Weed)

A familiar weed of waste places and gardens, this creeping herbaceous perennial originated in Eurasia but is naturalized worldwide.

The small, smooth, arrowhead-shaped leaves of this hardy perennial are borne in rosettes. Plants spread via threadlike underground rhizomes to form large colonies. The leaves contain sour-tasting oxalates that render them unpalatable (and potentially toxic) to cattle. Spikes of insignificant flowers appear on short, upright stalks from spring to late summer. Plants...

(Curly Dock, Sour Dock, Yellow Dock)

This rosette-forming perennial is a common weed over much of the temperate world. It has long been used as a medicinal plant in its native Europe.

Rosettes of glossy-green, narrow, lance-shaped leaves with conspicuously rumpled edges emerge in spring. The leaves may become purple-tinged in summer. Plants grow from a stout taproot that produces new plants if severed. In late spring to midsummer, depending on climate, curly dock produces tall sturdy stems lined with numerous small, greenish flowers....