PlantFiles: Red Christmas Pride
Ruellia amoena

Botanica Encyclopedia -
Ruellia syn Stephanophysum, Arrhostoxylum
This genus from tropical and subtropical America with a few species in temperate North America contains about 150 species of evergreen perennials, shrubs and subshrubs. The funnel-shaped flowers, usually red, pink or blue, occur in densely packed terminal panicles and axillary clusters. They have smooth-edged, oblong to lance-shaped leaves up to 6" long and look good in informal borders.
Cultivation -
The plants are fairly tolerant of dry conditions and like sun or semi-shade, so they do well in dry places at the feet of trees. In cooler climates they are grown indoors or in greenhouses. Plant in humus-rich, fertile, moist soil. Propagate from seed in spring or cuttings in spring or early summer.
Ruellia graecizans syn Ruellia amoena -
This South American subshrub is 24" tall with a dense, bushy yet spreading habit. Its leaves, up to 8" long, are narrow and hairless. Its bright red flowers, occurring in small clusters in the leaf axils, are 1" long and funnel-shaped.

This delightful plant was a volunteer in my yard. There must be another one somewhere in the neighborhood. Anyway, I have rooted it, then have found other seedlings. It has been around for a couple of years. It is in full bloom now, since Christmas, but I know it will bloom several more times this year.

The backs of the dark green leaves appear quilted, and they are purple in color. Most interesting.