Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - January 19, 2014

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Seed and Plant Sources, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Sources for ruellia from Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I want to get a bunch of either ruellia nudiflora or ruellia drummondiana in my butterfly garden. But I cannot find it anywhere, and I have no idea where to get plants or seeds. Seems most vendors describe it as pesty, and the others sell the brittoniana (which IS a pest). Please help. I have only found dead ends.

ANSWER:

According to this USDA Plant Profile Map, Ruellia drummondiana (Drummond's ruellia) is native to Central Texas, but not to Harris County. Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia), according to this USDA Plant Profile Map, is native to both. They are very similar and it is likely either would grow well in your area. Here are the Growing Conditions from our webpage on Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia):

"Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Sandy
Conditions Comments: Wild petunia is very easy to grow, spreading vigorously from seed, which in some cases may be problematic. Adds a nice touch to woodland gardens and to walkways. Works well as a groundcover and tolerants mowing. Differs from Drummonds wild petunia because both the flowers and the plant are smaller. Good nectar and larval food source for many butterflies. Cut back after each flush of blossoms to keep compact and blooming all summer."

However, notice these differences in the two sets of Growing Conditions:

Ruellia drummondiana (Drummond's ruellia)

"Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils."

Because the soils and soil moisture in your area are more likely to suit Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia), we suggest you try to stick with that one. Two of our "go-to" sources for seeds, Park Seeds and Native American Seed had no listings for any ruellia at all, so we can see how you could be frustrated. We would like to suggest that if you wait for the first pretty Spring Saturday you make a trip (and go early, so you can get parking) to either a large local commercial nursery or the nursery departments of large home improvement stores and you will find potted, blooming starts of just about whatever you want, including ruellia.

Another possibility is to go to our list of butterfly plants from the National Butterfly Center for South Texas. It does have Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia) on the list but it also has other good native butterfly plants for your area that you might have more luck in finding.

 

From the Image Gallery


Violet ruellia
Ruellia nudiflora

Drummond's ruellia
Ruellia drummondiana

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Apples, pears and geraniums in Kipling, Saskatchewan
March 30, 2013 - My geranium's leaves became yellow - Why? Where can I buy a good nice apple tree? Will apples and pears grow in south Saskatchewan?
view the full question and answer

Plants for hanging baskets in Austin
October 06, 2009 - Can you suggest some plants for winter hanging baskets in the Austin, TX area?
view the full question and answer

Research on Atriplex confertifolia in Austin
January 21, 2010 - I have heard a lot about Atriplex confertifolia (Shadscale). Has the Center done any research/trial growing of this plant for possible adaptability to Hill Country (west Austin) area? If this is a ca...
view the full question and answer

Plants to stabilize sandy slope in Massachusetts
September 23, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smartypants, I am working on a small public housing project in Chelmsford, MA, northwest of Boston. We have a steep, sunny and SANDY slope and I am stumped as to what to recommend that wi...
view the full question and answer

Red pods on Canna Lilies from Windsor VA
July 21, 2013 - What are the dark red pods on my canna lilies?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.