[Arid_gardener] Pruning Desert Ruellia

[Cathy.Rymer at chandleraz.gov]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your question.

Desert Ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis) is a rounded evergreen shrub with 
medium green leaves and colorful purple, bell-shaped flowers.  It blooms 
prolifically from about May through October and sporadically in the 'off' 
season.  Hummingbirds love the flowers (so does my desert tortoise). When 
moisture hits the small, dry seed pods they explode propelling the seed 
long distances through the air.

The general rule for pruning plants is to do so after the bloom season. 
This way the plant has a chance to recover and generate the budwood that 
will produce the next seasons' flowers.  For Desert Ruellia (also called 
Baja Ruellia) the best time to prune is in March.  Frankly, this shrub 
seldom needs pruning unless it is in a space that won't accommodate its 
mature size of 3 ft. by 4ft. or if it's being overwatered.

If you must prune, use the 'selective' or 'natural' method of using bypass 
hand pruners to remove the stems rather than electric or hand shears. 
Selective pruning will reduce the size of the plant while retaining its 
natural shape.  By staggering the length light will penetrate into the 
interior of the plant.  This produces new leaves (and blossoms) inside as 
well as on the outside of the shrub.  Shearing, on the other hand, cuts 
all the stems to one length and produces an unnatural looking shrub that 
is bare and brown on the inside. 

A great reference for pruning is Eric Johnson's book, Pruning, Planting 
and Care from Ironwood Press.  The book, Desert Landscaping for Beginners 
also has a good chapter on pruning.

Good luck.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Cathy Rymer
Certified Arborist
Master Gardener, U of A Cooperative Extension


>>>>>>
Paul
85382
plcgencom42 at cox.net

Re Desert Ruellia - Is this the time (January)to trim? How short?

Thank you,

Paul
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