Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)

1/2-Pint plug Light: Full sunSoil: Medium-DryHeight: 12 inches|Bloom: June-August Description: Not actually a true petunia, but rather a member of the Acanthaceae family. Standing about a foot in height, it's an excellent addition to a bed with other short plants. Blooming throughout the hottest, driest times of the summer, Wild Petunia is sure to please while other plants are withering away. It is quite a hardy species as well, handling most conditions you could throw at it, save for swampy soils and shade. In fact, it's so hardy that it can be a bit aggressive, so keep an eye on where seedlings turn up. It does great as a ground cover, with a sidewalk or something similar to contain it. When mature, the seeds literally explode from the plant, traveling upwards of 10 feet! Attracts: Long-tongued bees are the most important pollinators of the flowers, including Anthophorid bees and Leaf-Cutting bees. The latter sometimes cut the petals, which are used in the construction of brood nests