RUELLIA brittoniana 'Katie'

It is an easy plant to grow, it needs a sunny and bright position even if it is also suitable to semi-shaded ones where, however, the plant grows less strong and blooms worse. It prefers medium, fresh, rich, humid and well-drained soils; it tolerates drought but grows better if the soil is periodically wet in summer. It tolerates frost but it is better to place it in positions sheltered from the cold wind: if the aerial part is damaged by the wind, the plant will be able to grow back from the base in spring. At the end of flowering (in autumn in the warmer areas and in spring in the colder ones) vigorous pruning may be necessary to reduce the plant to ground level: this will stimulate a more compact and tidy shape as well as subsequent richer flowering. It can be cultivated in pots or in large containers, taking care to ensure adequate humidity through regular wetting; in the ground it can be used to create low monospecies borders or together with other plants characterized by contrasting flowering and foliage to create interesting mixed borders.