Wild Petunia

10 years ago

As you know, I love wildflowers and am always "rescuing" them from roadsides and wherever I can find them. I dug this up from the side of the road when I first moved to Gainesville. I planted it out at my last place, but it was not happy, so I put it back into a pot and now have planted it out here, where it's had its first bloom and is happy indeed. Such a dainty little jewel with its pale blue flowers..

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User
Original Author

10 years ago

Bea, there are 15 species of coreopsis that grows in Florida. That looks like C. leavanworthii, or Leavenworth's coreopsis, our most common species. I don't believe it is Narrow Leaved sunflower, which gets six feet tall, has sandpapery leaves and blooms in wet spots in the fall. The petals are all wrong. Here are links to both. The one with the coreopsis has some closeups, so you can compare. I have been known to be wrong, so maybe someone else with more knowledge will help us out.

Leavenworth's Coreopsis

Narrow Leaved Sunflower

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Comments (13)

bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
10 years ago
Very pretty. I'll have to look for it.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
The flower starts sort of blue and goes to a nice purple. It's a completely different color this afternoon.
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thonotorose
10 years ago
Is that a reulla, ruella (sp?)
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
10 years ago
DG this another wild flower I found growing by the side of the road. Only stands about 10-12" high. I found these plants last fall. Transplanted very well and bloomed through the winter and are still blooming. If you don't have this plant I can send you seeds. I have no idea what it's called but I call it Hall daisy after the road where I found it.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Bea, those are coreopsis, and they are annuals, so save your seed to replant in the winter. They grow wild all around here, so I can get seeds anytime, but thank you so much for the offer.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, my plant is Ruellia caroliniensis, btw.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
DG these are not coreopsis although I agree they look somewhat like them. Wrong size flower and totally different leaves. They look more like tiny sunflowers.

After I posted the comment above I did some research and found out they are indeed in the sunflower family and are called Helianthus angustifolius.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
DG I think you're right about it not being the sunflower - the source I checked neglected to give the height this plant attains and you may be right about it being L. Coreopsis. My flowers look like it.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Well, it's a beautiful plant, so by all means, keep the seeds and replant next year. :) Actually, you don't have to "replant." Just scatter them onto the ground and let them do their thing.
Patty Bee Port St. Lucie Zone 10A
10 years ago
Bea, sure looks like tickseed (Coreopsis) to me, just like the ones growing wild around my place. I transplanted some into my wildflower garden and now they're taking over the joint!

I bought a plant on sale at Lowe's last year, Coreopsis "Main Street," similar leaves and stalk but different colored flowers. Just planted their seeds today, some in sand and some in potting soil—I suspect the latter will be more successful since not many varieties that aren't native enjoy our sand.
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Yup-Coreopsis. Many, many types and cultivars.
judyk_2008 9a DeLeon Sprs. (NW Volusia)
10 years ago
Just a warning. I collected a wild petunia from a house being demolished, it has spread like wildfire. It dies back in the winter and comes back each spring with more. The roots are very deep and strong and grows in sun or shade and can take over a flower bed.