In 2022, we introduced Ruellia sp. nov. ‘Humility’, a new, still unpublished Southeast US native species, found in 2013, by our taxonomist, Zac Hill, in southern Alabama. Until it’s formally published with an official name, we gave it a cultivar. Not only is it easy to grow, and attractive in flower, but the October foliage turns a lovely shade of red, as you can see below. In cultivation, this new false petunia forms a 16″ tall x 3′ wide, deciduous clump, topped for us from mid-June through late summer with 1.5″ wide rich lavender flowers. It’s pretty rare that the public has a chance to grow a new, rare species before it’s even been officially named, a trend we’d like to see reversed.
This plant is gorgeous. The fall change in color is worth planting, then the other attributes take note. I would definitely plant this.