Baja Ruellia, Ruellia californica subsp. peninsularis.	Baja Ruellia, Ruellia californica subsp. peninsularis.

Baja Ruellia. Ruellia californica subsp. peninsularis, Acanthus Family: ( Acanthaceae ), Baja Ruellia. Also Called: Desert Ruellia, Desert Petunia, Ruellia peninsularis, Calophanes peninsularis. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. This species has shorter, more rounded leaves than the Ruellia brittoniana. Its flowers are also smaller. The flowers of Ruellia peninsularis are petunia like, however they are more cup shaped and funnel-like. The plants are erect, 3 - 4 feet tall. The leaves are 6 - 12 inches long, narrow at the base and very short. The blooms are on the top of the plant in clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers. They prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade (to the sacrifice of some flowering). Flowering on Katie Ruellia occurs from the late spring to mid summer. Ruellia can tolerate abuse and neglect and it is drought tolerant. This variety dark green leaves. This is a very popular landscaping plant in Arizona and it is considered an evergreen shrub. Quick Notes: Height: Evergreen shrub slowly growing to about 36 inches tall and 48 inches wide. Stems: The stems are purple. Flowers: The flowers are in leaf axils with 2 - 3 inch long funnel-shaped purple flowers. Blooming Time: Mid March - November. Leaves: Linear, lancolate, serrate, opposite leaves on bright gray stems, 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. Found: Native of Mexico in Baja Norte, & Baja California, and of the lower Sonoran desert. Elevation: Native from 0 to 2,500 feet. Hardiness: 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 Habitat: Alkaline, well-drained/light soils. An ideal landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Photos taken at September 11, 2006. Glendale Arizona Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.