TL
Family
Acanthaceae
Botanical Name
Ruellia caroliniensis
Plant Common Name
Carolina Wild Petunia
General Description
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. The sessile (stalkless), funnel-shaped flowers have five lobes that flare at the tips. Narrow seed capsules follow the flowers, ripening from green to brown. Moderate self-sowing may occur if plants are not deadheaded.
Carolina wild petunia favors full to partial sun and moist well-drained soil. Use it in wildflower plantings and butterfly gardens.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, Texas
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Mixed Border, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
