Wild Petunia
Ruellia humilis
A groundcover-scale bloomer for dry, rocky spots: lavender-pink flowers June through September. Hummingbirds and native bees visit daily.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 AM – 2 PM
A true drought-tough groundcover that keeps blooming all summer where other plants give up.
Wild petunia is the low, spreading prairie version of its taller relatives. It hugs the ground in dry rocky or sandy soils where most perennials struggle, sending up light lavender-pink flowers continuously from June through September. The blooms are fleeting on their own but produced in such quantity that the plant always looks like it's in full flower during the growing season. At six to eighteen inches tall, this is a groundcover-scale perennial that fills gaps in dry, sunny spots and moves slowly outward by rhizome. It works in gravel gardens, along paths, and at the base of stone walls where drainage is sharp. Hummingbirds and long-tongued native bees work the flowers daily.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown wild petunia propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant wild petunia instead of Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) in dry sunny locations. Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Dry
- Mature size
- 6"–1.5' · 12–24 in wide
- Bloom time
- June–September
- USDA zones
- 4–9
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Native range
- Central and eastern United States from Kansas east to Pennsylvania, south to Georgia and Texas
Care notes for wild petunia.
Full to part sun in dry to average, well-drained soil. Excellent on slopes and in rocky or sandy conditions. Does not tolerate wet feet. Shear back by half in early spring to encourage dense new growth. Requires virtually no supplemental water once established.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside wild petunia.
Or skip the guesswork.
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