Create Your Garden

Ruellia caroliniensis (Carolina Wild Petunia)

Carolina Wild Petunia

Ruellia caroliniensis, Carolina Wild Petunia, Wild Petunia, Lavender flowers, Lilac Flowers, Purple Flowers
Ruellia caroliniensis, Carolina Wild Petunia, Wild Petunia, Lavender flowers, Lilac Flowers, Purple Flowers

Ruellia caroliniensis (Carolina Wild Petunia) is an unbranched, spreading perennial boasting a profusion of trumpet-shaped, petunia-like, light purple flowers borne in axillary clusters of 2-4. Blooming for weeks from early to late summer, the blossoms have a slender corolla tube and 5 petal-like lobes. Each blossom lasts a day or two, but new flowers form in succession. They provide nectar for bees and butterflies. Carolina Wild Petunia serves as a host plant for Buckeye butterfly caterpillars. The blossoms give way to seeds borne on hooked projections. The opposite leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), are rich green, oval and medium in texture. A strong grower, Carolina Wild Petunia can spread, as it readily reseeds itself. Great as a flowering ground cover, for mass plantings, hanging baskets or cascading down a wall.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade, in dry to moist, clay, loam or sandy, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Attractive to butterflies and somewhat unpalatable to deer.
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds may be planted immediately after collection or stored and sown in spring. Store seeds dry in an airtight, refrigerated container.
  • Native to eastern North America.
  • Discover 50 purple wildflowers for your garden

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Acanthaceae
Genus Ruellia
Common names Petunia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers, Hanging Baskets, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Ruellia to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Ruellia squarrosa (Water Bluebell)
Ruellia elegans (Red Ruellia)
Ruellia humilis (Wild Petunia)
Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Petunia)

Recommended Companion Plants

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Tickseed)
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)
Stokesia laevis (Stokes Aster)
Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage)
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Acanthaceae
Genus Ruellia
Common names Petunia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers, Hanging Baskets, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Ruellia to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Ruellia caroliniensis (Carolina Wild Petunia) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Ruellia caroliniensis (Carolina Wild Petunia) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone