Other Names:  Ruellia tweediana, Wild Petunia,

Brand:  Proven Winners

Description:

A lovely heat tolerant variety, thriving in hot and humid climates; periwinkle-lavender flowers bloom profusely in the heat; will flower sparsely in cooler climates; does not spread by rhizomes; beautiful when massed in borders; good pollinator attractor

Ornamental Features

Machu™ Morado Mexican Petunia features showy lavender trumpet-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late winter to mid fall. Its serrated narrow leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Machu™ Morado Mexican Petunia is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Machu™ Morado Mexican Petunia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Machu™ Morado Mexican Petunia will grow to be about 32 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Machu™ Morado Mexican Petunia is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.