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The Katie Ruellia (Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie') is a compact, low-growing perennial prized for its vibrant purple, petunia-like flowers and lush, green foliage. Native to Mexico, this dwarf variety of the wild petunia is especially popular in warm climates due to its heat and drought tolerance. It blooms profusely from spring through fall, attracting butterflies and adding a splash of color to borders, ground covers, and containers. Unlike the taller varieties of ruellia, Katie stays neatly compact—typically under 12 inches tall—making it ideal for edging pathways or filling in garden beds.
Katie Ruellia is not only beautiful but also incredibly low-maintenance. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can adapt to various soil conditions, provided there's good drainage. Once established, it requires minimal water and care, making it a favorite in xeriscapes and water-wise gardens. With its long blooming season, easy care, and compact habit, Katie Ruellia is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a colorful, tough, and reliable groundcover.
At Moon Valley Nurseries, we offer free design consultations at all of our nursery locations with our expert designer team to make your landscaping goals a reality!
"We planted several of these in our backyard last fall. They are absolutely gorgeous with bright purple flowers that just keep on coming. Wish we had planted more! We are going to add a couple. We got the larger ones. Now we are going to buy some of the smaller ones to put in between some bushes."