Photo of Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers' flower by Almost Eden

Photo by Almost Eden

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Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers'

Also Known As

  • Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers'
  • Purple Showers Mexican Petunia

Plant type

perennial, aquatic

size

  • H: 3'-4'
  • W: 2'-3'

planting zones

  • 8a-10b

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Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers' plant details

Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers' is a broadleaf evergreen perennial aquatic with. In summer purple flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers'

Plant type: perennial aquatic
Plant family: acanthaceae
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: bog garden, floriferous, long-blooming

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers'

USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The large 2" deep bluish-purple trumpets are born freely from summer to fall on upright to arching burgundy stems with deep bronzy green glossy foliage. Purple Showers Mexican Petunia is sterile and so it can spend more energy on an endless supply of beautiful purple trumpets instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. This wonderful and vigorous selection produces larger flowers and foliage than other Mexican Petunias. Purple Showers Ruellia is quite adaptable to soil types and moisture levels but will produce the most flowers in a good garden soil with average moisture. Makes an excellent addition to mixed containers or in the garden and unlike other Mexican Petunias it won't take over your garden. Moderately drought tolerant once well established. In frost free zones this tough little perennial can become shrub-like in the northern parts of its hardiness range it may freeze to the ground but will readily return in spring.
Mexican Petunia is commonly grown as a bog or marginal water plant but adapts well to average garden conditions. This selection easily reaches 3-4' with purple tinted stems and narrow dark green leaves. 2" violet purple petunia-like flowers are displayed on short stems at the leaf axils. It is not hardy for us in zone 6, but we hear it can not only form sizable clumps in milder climates, but is evergreen as well. (7) 8

Gardening facts about Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers' plant

How to Grow Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - occasional

Features

  • Flower Color

    • purple
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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