Ruellia simplex 'Purple Showers' ~ Purple Showers Mexican Petunia

Purple Showers Mexican Petunia is a shrubby woody plant used as annual with deep purple woody stems and long willow-like dark green foliage that is often tinged with purple.  The loose clusters of trumpet-shaped purple petunia like flowers bloom from late spring until frost.  Each flower only lasts a day but is quickly replaced.  Grows best with full sun and moist well drained humusy soils.  Drought tolerant once established.  Purple Showers is sterile but can still spread by rhizomes or root pieces. Type:  Shrub, Annual Origins: Central and South America Height:  3' - 4' Spread:  2' - 3' Spacing:  2.5' USDA Hardiness Zone:  8 - 11 Culture:  Full Sun, Part Sun Bloom Color:  Purple Season of Interest:  Spring, Summer, Fall MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance.  Does well in a wide range of soils, from marginal waters to evenly moist average garden soils.  NOTE: an aggressive spreader within its hardiness zones.   LANDSCAPE USES: Ac