Ruellia caroliniensis - Carolina petunia

Height: to 2’
Spread: to 1’
Light Needs: part sun to part shade
Water: average, adaptable
Flower color: lavender, rarely white
Bloom time: spring - summer

This wildflower has branching, leafy stems and a bushy habit. Each flower is open for one day, opening in the morning and closing by afternoon. The flowers have a funnel shape, like a small petunia flower. It may be best in an informal garden or a natural setting because volunteer seedlings can appear in open spaces several feet from the parent plant and their roots are deep. At the same time, it is not a strong competitor and does not crowd out other plants. The flowers are visited by hummingbirds, butterflies and other insect pollinators. It is a host for buckeye butterfly caterpillars. Deer will nibble on it.