{"product_id":"mexican-petunia-ruellia-simplex","title":"Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eRuellia simplex\u003c\/em\u003e C. Wright (formerly \u003cem\u003eRuellia brittoniana\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mexican Petunia, Blue Shade, Britton's Wild Petunia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acanthaceae, Ruellia – Perennial Herb \/ Flower Border and Groundcover Ornamental\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1. Variety Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Morphology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thick rhizomes underground; stems clustered, upright or slightly leaning, 30–80 cm high (up to 100 cm); stems four-angled, short-haired; leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate to elliptical-lanceolate, 8–20 cm long, entire margin, \u003cstrong\u003eupper surface dark green and glossy\u003c\/strong\u003e, lower surface slightly lighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFloral Performance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers solitary or in pairs\/trios from upper leaf axils; corolla funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, 4–6 cm diameter; \u003cstrong\u003etypical flower color is blue-purple\u003c\/strong\u003e (pink and white cultivars also exist); \u003cstrong\u003eindividual flowers open in the morning and fade by evening, but the inflorescence blooms continuously, resulting in a very long group flowering period\u003c\/strong\u003e; natural flowering period from May to October (can bloom from spring to autumn in South China).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts in spring → continuous flowering in summer and autumn → above-ground parts wither after frost (in Central China and north), with underground rhizomes overwintering and re-sprouting the following spring; often semi-evergreen in South China.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2. Ecological Habits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light-loving, \u003cstrong\u003eblooms best in full sun\u003c\/strong\u003e; also tolerates partial shade (still blooms in half-day sun but with fewer flowers); too much shade causes leggy growth and lodging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly adaptable to soil types, prefers loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam; tolerates light salinity and short-term drought, avoids long-term waterlogging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Optimum growth temperature 20–30°C; underground rhizomes can withstand -5 to -8°C (if soil doesn't freeze) to overwinter; cultivated in open ground in Central and East China (withers in winter, sprouts in spring); in North China, soil covering or annual replanting\/indoor potting is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, tolerates extensive management, very few pests and diseases, suitable for low-maintenance landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3. Engineering Application Scenarios\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Border Middle Ground:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted in blocks in the middle or back of perennial flower borders, paired with Salvia, Hylotelephium erythrostictum, and Coreopsis to create vertical lines with blue-purple flower spikes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoadside\/Slope Groundcover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Densely planted in road medians, along garden paths, or on gentle slopes for soil stabilization and summer-autumn flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaterside Edges:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted in moist areas (not submerged) of ponds or artificial lake banks as a transition to wetland plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThemed Gardens \/ Resorts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass planting for tropical style or low-maintenance flower borders, creating a natural wild interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. Nursery Stock Quality Indicators\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-has-scroll=\"false\" class=\"hyc-common-markdown__table-wrapper isDark\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"tableActionsPanel\" class=\"hyc-common-markdown__table-actions-sticky\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eItem Name\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAge\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrent year or 1-year-old division\/cutting seedlings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight (H)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15–25 cm (at delivery) \/ Mature 30–50 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClump Requirements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach clump ≥ 2–3 buds or 3–5 stems, well-developed roots filling the container\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContainer Requirements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNutritional pot diameter 9–12 cm \/ 1–2 gallon pot, intact original soil\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuality Requirements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeaves normal, no severe leaf spot, variety specified as blue-purple (others as noted)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e5. Planting and Maintenance Points\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e After the last frost when temperatures are stable ≥ 15°C (usually April–May in Central China); container seedlings can be planted later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove spent flower stalks to promote continued blooming; in late autumn after frost, cut back withered above-ground parts leaving 5–10 cm, cover roots with thin soil or hay (in cold regions).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and Fertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thorough initial watering; apply compound fertilizer or decomposed liquid fertilizer monthly during peak growth, and more P and K before flowering; drought-tolerant but moist soil during growth results in more flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRenewal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Replant by division every 2–3 years in early spring, removing aged rhizomes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests and Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very few, occasionally leaf spot or aphids; maintain good ventilation and treat promptly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Autumn Field Nursery Base","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45188584341613,"sku":null,"price":3.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/1727\/7293\/files\/mexican-petunia-ruellia-simplex.jpg?v=1781401737","url":"https:\/\/virturaintl.com\/products\/mexican-petunia","provider":"Autumn Field Nursery Base","version":"1.0","type":"link"}