Commonly referred to as the Mexican petunia, the Ruellia Braided is a tender evergreen perennial that forms colonies of stemmy stalks standing 3 ft in height and of indeterminate width.
The strong semi-woody stalks are distinctly vertical in aspect and hold attractive dark green, leaves oppositely at the nodes. The lance-shaped leaves are to 6-12 inches in length and 1/2-3/4 inches wide.
When grown under hot sunny conditions the foliage assumes a metallic bluish cast that creates the perfect backdrop for the the scores of vibrant blue flowers that appear with the onslaught of hot summer weather. The blossoms are trumpet shaped and about 1.5-2 inches diameter and are born at the tips of the stems.
Varieties with white, pink, and many shades of blue are available, as are dwarf versions that form clumps that are about 8-12 inches in height. Mexican petunia is very showy when in full bloom due to the clouds of admiring butterflies that swarm about the plants.