Do wild petunias spread?
This upright to spreading perennial can be propagated via seed, vegetative cuttings, or root divisions and should be trimmed to tame the self-seeding, rampant growth.
Is a petunia a wildflower?
There are many great native wildflowers blooming now (black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, milkweeds, and more) but this week we’re talking about one you may not know — the hairy wild petunia, ruellia humilis.
How do you plant Ruellia seeds?
Sowing: Direct sow in late fall, planting just below the surface of the soil. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which usually takes 4-6 weeks.
Is Wild Petunia perennial?
Ruellia humilis, commonly called wild petunia, is a Missouri native perennial which occurs in dryish soils in open woods, glades, prairies and fields throughout the State except for the far southeastern lowlands. Typically grows to 2′ tall.
How tall are wild petunias?
Fringe-leaf wild petunia’s multi-branched stem may reach a height of 2 ft. but is usually less than a foot tall. The short internodes give the plant a compact, leafy, bushy appearance. Its showy flowers are petunia shaped and vary in color from lavender to purple.
What does a wild petunia look like?
What do wild petunias attract?
Wild Petunia is a hummingbird favorite with trumpet-shaped lavender blooms that attract long-tongued bees and butterflies, as well. Seldom reaching more than one foot in height, it is an excellent companion to other low-growing plants.
What do wild petunia seeds look like?
The seeds are discs about a tenth of an inch in diameter — smaller than the circles that fall out of a hole punch — and 1/50th an inch thick, the equivalent of three sheets of paper. “It’s like throwing confetti,” said Dwight Whitaker, a professor of physics at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif.
How do you plant wild petunia seeds?
Directly sow wild Petunia seeds outdoors into prepared soil after danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed. Soil temperatures below 68F will limit germination response. Approximately 140,000 Petunia Violacea seeds per ounce.
What does a Wild Petunia look like?
How do you take care of wild petunias?
Caring for Wild petunia – Ruellia It is fairly easy to look after wild Petunia (Ruellia); they like a moist yet well drained soil so keep well watered and apply a spring mulch. If you require more Ruellia plants then Wild Petunia can be propagated by taking cutiings towards the end of spring and summer.
Is Wild Petunia invasive?
The wild, invasive form of this plant is so aggressive, it’s banned in some states, and it’s on a watch list of invasive plants in others. The state of Florida lists Mexican petunias as “highly invasive.” Native to Mexico and western South America, Ruellia simplex, also known as R. tweediana, R.
When do night sky petunias start to bloom?
Luckily, once they’re blooming, they’ll continue flowering for months until the first fall frost. ‘Night Sky’ petunias tend to start flowering in the summer, and continue through fall. Plant them in a spot with full sun, where they’ll get at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. Any less, and your plants could produce fewer flowers.
What kind of flowers do wild petunias produce?
Due to its size, be careful of exuberant neighbors, Wild Petunia can be easily overcome by larger neighbors. A native perennial of great character with flowers that will remind you of the annual bedding plant Petunia. Charming, low growing clumps produce light purple/lavender, tubular flowers from May to Oct.
How long does a wild petunia flower last?
Even though wild petunia’s flowers only last for a day, its long flowering period more than compensates. It seeds readily. This plant supports Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) larvae which has two to three broods from May-October.
What should the temperature be for petunia flowers to die?
Ruellia flowers will generally die back at the foliage tips below 32 degrees F. (0 C.) and all the way to the ground in the 20’s (-66 C.). However, upon a return to more seasonable temperatures, the ruellia wild petunia will bounce back with as much vigor as before.