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Ruellia downunder
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Posted by smithy NSW Australia (My Page) on Tue, Jan 18, 05 at 17:55
| I'm asking for help on this site as I know gardeners in your part of north America know about the plant, Ruellia.
I have a garden in Australia (zone 9) which is overrun with it. The species is low growing (3 inches tall) and spreads by runners through garden beds. Its attractive when in flower (its summer here now) but spreads everywhere. The flower colour is purplish-blue.
Any ideas on what species of Ruellia it is and ways to eradicate it.
Best wishes and happy gardening |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Ruellia downunder
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Smithy,
I would suspect you have Ruellia squarrosa or one of its close kin. Very invasive! I once saw a garden pond where it was growing around the edge and the roots were thriving in the water in a mass, tangled netting. This plant also likes water.
Try a weed killing product such as Round-up. Because you are probably trying to kill it off in the area of other garden plants I would suggest that you 'paint' the tops of the Ruellia using an old paint brush. In more open sections of the garden use a small paint roller for faster coverage. This method gives you complete control over where the weed killer goes and should not harm desired plants. Yes, the process takes time (and sore kness) but is the safest. Withhold water after treatment for as long as possible. Try a test area and see if it works. Usually with invasives such as this you will be spot treating for several years to get a clean kill. |
RE: Ruellia downunder
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| There are a lot of Ruellia species in the Americas. In Miami, Florida, I found that R. squarrosa was manageable. Our local form of the native R. caroliniana looked similar but spread quicker vegetatively and threw seeds ten feet or more from the parent. Roots left in the ground can sprout new shoots. Nandina is right that glyphosphate or a lot of manual work will be needed. |
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