These pretty, purple perennials are resilient and cold-hardy. Mexican petunias are fast-growing plants native to warm parts of South America and Mexico, but they can tolerate cool temperatures in ... Since there was no newsletter last week, here are two weeks of mystery plants: Mexican Petunia --Ruellia simplex is a perennial plant that takes care of itself and blooms all summer long.

Understanding the Context

Yahoo UK & Ireland: Mexican Petunias are Resilient and Colorful—Here's How to Grow and Care for Them Mexican Petunias are Resilient and Colorful—Here's How to Grow and Care for Them The News-Messenger: Master Gardener: Lavender blue Mexican petunias are easy to grow The Mexican petunia or Ruellia simplex is a shrub boasting a profusion of Petunia-like, vibrant lavender blue flowers, two inches across, from summer to fall. Born solitary or in clusters at the tips ... The Mexican petunia, or ruellia, is getting more popular with each growing season, and I give a hearty “amen.” One thing that surprised me is how it has crossed from home to commercial landscapes. Question: I have a Mexican petunia (Ruellia) that is about 4 years old.

Key Insights

In 2013 the freeze caused all of the stems to die back. I cut them all off at ground level and the plant grew back nicely and ... I have mentioned Mexican petunia for various reasons a number of times throughout the years. Not a petunia or even in the same family as petunias, Ruellia is a native of Mexico. It is a genus of about ...

Final Thoughts

Q: We have Mexican petunias, and all have suffered frost damage. How far should we prune them back? A: Contain Mexican petunia in a localized area, so it doesn’t spread. Cut it back close to the ...