Desert Ruellia. Ruellia brittoniana, Acanthus Family: ( Acanthaceae ), Desert Ruellia. Also called: Mexican Barrio Ruellia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells, Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia coerulea, Ruellia ignorantiae, Ruellia microphylla, Ruellia spectabilis. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. This is a very popular landscaping plant in arizona and it is considered an evergreen shrub. It is classed as a noxious weed in Florida. Quick Notes: Height: Evergreen bush slowly growing to about 36 inches tall and 36 inches wide. Flowers: The flowers are in leaf axils with 2 - 3 inche long funnel-shaped purple or blue flowers. Flowering Time: Mid March - November. Leaves: Linear, lancolate, serrate, prominent purple venation. They are 6 - 12 inches in length and 1/2-3/4 inches wide. Under Arizona hot conditions the foliage assumes a metallic blue cast. Stalk: The stems are purple. Found: Native to the southwestern United States (AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, UT); and the extreme northwest of Northern Mexico. Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: Can be found from 0 - 2,500 Feet. Habitat: Alkaline, well-drained/light soils. An ideal landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken March 24, 2003. Glendale Public Library, Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.

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