tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post814045564783334361..comments2024-03-17T20:56:22.962-04:00Comments on Hoe and Shovel: Mexican Petunia :: Love-HateMeemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16341998120938921741noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-66155890786904732852014-08-19T12:06:24.057-04:002014-08-19T12:06:24.057-04:00I'm wondering, (attn. Rick Brown and Meems), i...I'm wondering, (attn. Rick Brown and Meems), if the sterile version is still invasive? I see it planted near waterways and I'm wondering if pieces of this can break off and root and grow from those cuttings when washed downstream? Also does the sterile version clearly say sterile on the plants that you can purchase at home depot? If a gardener is not aware of the dangers of this plant toAnnienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-51474168550243369612011-03-17T09:49:39.033-04:002011-03-17T09:49:39.033-04:00has anyone every cut out the bottom of a 5 gallon ...has anyone every cut out the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and planted the entire bucket in the ground with the plant in the middle as to keep it from spreading?Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529204575733890324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-18473011988165963512010-09-19T12:11:17.651-04:002010-09-19T12:11:17.651-04:00Wow... Opened up a Pandora's box here. It seem...Wow... Opened up a Pandora's box here. It seems either LOVE or Hate and no in-between with this one.<br /><br />In previous posts regarding this plant I covered the fact that it is on the invasive list of plants for Florida and we would NEVER advocate purchasing and planting anything on that list. Plants that displace our native flora should not be propogated or purchased.<br /><br /><strong>Meemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16341998120938921741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-46980132509427575182010-09-19T11:56:28.525-04:002010-09-19T11:56:28.525-04:00I've taken more criticism for writing about th...I've taken more criticism for writing about this plant than any other. I have a love/ hate with it as well. I agree about not buying it. A neighbor most certainly has it and it grows so well from cuttings. I've grown it with some success in pots, which might work for anyone concerned about it's invasiveness.Wicked gardenerhttp://Wickedgardener.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-32820783755547901352010-09-19T09:58:17.133-04:002010-09-19T09:58:17.133-04:00I agree with the love/hate relationship with Mexic...I agree with the love/hate relationship with Mexican Petunias. I live in the panhandle of florida and they still sell it here. I didn't realize it was taking over our native flora. They should make it illegal to sell, as they have other plants like water hyacinths.Char's Gardeninghttp://charsgardening.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-88582295057406485732010-09-18T13:01:40.424-04:002010-09-18T13:01:40.424-04:00There definitely is such a thing as a too-successf...There definitely is such a thing as a too-successful plant!<br />Meems - the past few times I've visited your blog, the comment section has been showing up on top of your post. Has anyone else mentioned this problem? Maybe it's just my computer.<br />The photos are wonderful.VWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17539135776275337661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-15315591465490275072010-09-17T22:40:38.384-04:002010-09-17T22:40:38.384-04:00Hi from Houston,
I'm learning that there are s...Hi from Houston,<br />I'm learning that there are so many species of ruellia. Some are too aggressive and some behave themselves. The little Ruellia nudiflora we have here in Texas is a shorter version and 'perhaps?' not as aggressive. This my first year with them, so the verdict is still out. The red ruellia seems to be very easy to control...er..uh...grow. :-) David/Tropical Texana/Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12495040805660192347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-47734151623340492572010-09-17T21:59:25.908-04:002010-09-17T21:59:25.908-04:00All of the plants that do well for me in my very s...All of the plants that do well for me in my very sunny, very sandy yard (yes, I amend, but that's a temporary fix) are drought-tolerant self-starters. The price I pay for not having to constantly feed and water is keeping them tamed. And I'd rather do that than pour on the water and fertilizer.<br /> I love my purple showers. I got them 8 years ago and I'm pretty sure they were Home Penny Carnathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043964566371049303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-37172970502653097572010-09-17T21:36:21.087-04:002010-09-17T21:36:21.087-04:00I'm of two minds also. Love the dependability...I'm of two minds also. Love the dependability, hate the "assertiveness," shall we say. I wonder if that sterile one is REALLY sterile?<br />It sure looks good in your garden, though!Elizabeth Barrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09958071577234094405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-82516960012395176662010-09-17T08:49:48.726-04:002010-09-17T08:49:48.726-04:00I can't help but love this plant. I hear you ...I can't help but love this plant. I hear you about the ivasive nature of it, but the sterile variety really is controllable. It does have runners but those can be pulled to keep it where you want it. You have yours beautifully placed and really, a sulphur butterfly on one of these purple flowers is worth it all. Of course, my garden is still needing lots of "fillers" so perhaps NanaKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02425496284594894548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-88511525273324494622010-09-17T07:47:43.991-04:002010-09-17T07:47:43.991-04:00Dear meems, I saw this beauty in cracks in the si...Dear meems, I saw this beauty in cracks in the sidewalk when we were visiting SC~it looks beautiful in your garden, but I totally understand your love/hate relationship with it! Our native ruellia has to quote you a <br />"healthy root system." I wish that the taller version flowered as delightfully as the Mexican petunia. Instead it flowers sporadically and leaves an unsightly stem Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-16385610178917850522010-09-17T07:25:37.632-04:002010-09-17T07:25:37.632-04:00This is on the number one invasive list for Florid...This is on the number one invasive list for Florida. Unless it's sterile, it should not be planted and it should not even be sold. Please rip it out not matter how beautiful it is--it's costing us (both taxpayer & prive moneys) millions of dollars annually to remove it from natural (non-garden) areas where it's crowding out our native flora. See http://www.fleppc.org/ for moreGinny Stibolthttp://www.transplantedgardener.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-69424631568133380232010-09-16T22:15:32.541-04:002010-09-16T22:15:32.541-04:00Love the color of the flower. Maybe I should try i...Love the color of the flower. Maybe I should try it....it would probably be an annual here?Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15539232387597508849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-50267020275943129772010-09-16T18:56:30.259-04:002010-09-16T18:56:30.259-04:00It sure makes a beautiful (and colorful) hedge for...It sure makes a beautiful (and colorful) hedge for inexperienced gardenersAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12816037008864296664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-84760057136439404162010-09-16T17:44:42.349-04:002010-09-16T17:44:42.349-04:00I have teetered on the fence over Ruellia for the ...I have teetered on the fence over Ruellia for the past few years. I bought a lovely specimen at the garden center, and in true Floridagirl fashion, looked up the info on it the night after I planted it. What a surprise to read all over the internet that it was invasive! I was dumbfounded that it would even be legal for them to sell an invasive plant like that. Three or so years later, and I&#Floridagirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16357453320897720393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-53265392459600102012010-09-16T13:34:12.281-04:002010-09-16T13:34:12.281-04:00Hi Meems...This plant really is a "must-have&...Hi Meems...This plant really is a "must-have" in the garden...simply because of the variety of wildlife it attracts to it. I planted Rick's sterile variety this year,and have slowly come to love it. It blooms prolifically everyday and attracts...bees, moths, butterflies, wasps, hummers and other insects I don't even recognize. I am, however, watching those runners to make sure Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01106128705768954876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-67282280339207784302010-09-16T13:00:21.098-04:002010-09-16T13:00:21.098-04:00Meems, I love mine, but mine is Rick's sterile...Meems, I love mine, but mine is Rick's sterile version. The color and hardiness of this plant can't be matched. I also like how it blooms fresh every day...a nice reminder that we can all start fresh every day. I'm excited to read Rick's comment that more colors are on the way!!! FUN!!!Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18123627573356760362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-52009668706212966552010-09-16T12:07:33.693-04:002010-09-16T12:07:33.693-04:00Aah... the gardener's dilemma! It is really pr...Aah... the gardener's dilemma! It is really pretty and if the butterflies love it, I would plant it. No matter what! ;)Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-64860808923535483962010-09-16T11:14:29.902-04:002010-09-16T11:14:29.902-04:00I know EXACTLY what you mean! I definitely have a ...I know EXACTLY what you mean! I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this plant. I LOVE purple, and Mexican petunia does fill a few hard-to-fill spots in my garden beautifully. But, mid-summer, it never fails that I have to get my shovel out and thin them out severely. <br /><br />Great post! Yours are beautiful and your photos capture why we put up with such a bully in our gardens.Lisa Blairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06288352630209939371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-24439005370989530392010-09-16T10:36:18.686-04:002010-09-16T10:36:18.686-04:00Meems,
I am so glad to hear you say it is an aggr...Meems,<br /><br />I am so glad to hear you say it is an aggressive spreader. I have said many times, it is not only aggressive, but invasive. I would never plant another one in my garden. The roots spread and take over everything in its way. I have been pooh-poohed by my stand, but nevertheless, I stick by it. In the right spot, it is beautiful. But, it better have a foot or more of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-86388726097660520692010-09-16T09:54:01.543-04:002010-09-16T09:54:01.543-04:00Oh girl, I so feel your feelings on this one! I h...Oh girl, I so feel your feelings on this one! I have it too and Arrrrrgh is sometimes the best way to express it. But then again when it gets thinned back it looks so nice in that spot.<br />DebbieDebra Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08526288782681083198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-3859828938633564402010-09-16T09:23:29.824-04:002010-09-16T09:23:29.824-04:00Loved your garden tour this morning!
The Mexica...Loved your garden tour this morning! <br /><br />The Mexican Petunia is one of my favorite go to 'gal's' to plant for her graceful purple presence anywhere. I discovered this year what a pretty addition she makes scattered among the red Firespike.<br /><br />SherryChadderdon Reunionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14636079633474166571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-38637044493253207512010-09-16T08:54:48.475-04:002010-09-16T08:54:48.475-04:00Meems this plant is best suited in an open field w...Meems this plant is best suited in an open field with wild flowers. I HATE this plant because you can't get rid of it. They spread like wildfire and the roots are very deep into the ground making it very difficult to remove. I am still battling with some I had planted many many years ago.islandgal246https://www.blogger.com/profile/09139072456332225087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-73423464050946351232010-09-16T08:24:03.623-04:002010-09-16T08:24:03.623-04:00I am decidedly in the "hate" camp with t...I am decidedly in the "hate" camp with this plant. Planted it 12 years ago before I was aware of its invasive tendencies. It is STILL sprouting in my butterfly bed. Even removing the roots doesn't seem to make a dent in its growth. If I left it alone for even two weeks it would take over the butterfly garden. I have heard of the sterile hybrid but I am just too wary to go that routeNanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160717311376074400.post-28283413308123049432010-09-16T06:50:14.856-04:002010-09-16T06:50:14.856-04:00Over 2 years ago when we bought this house, I pull...Over 2 years ago when we bought this house, I pulled out almost all of them. This spring I decided I wanted more. Took cuttings from the ones I had and as they grew, took cuttings from the new ones. Now I have areas of purple with butterflies and bees gathered there.<br /><br />I know some of the clumps will grow too thick, but it's not that hard to thin them out. The beautiful color and SiestaSisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09810517627451623408noreply@blogger.com