Wild Petunia ( Ruellia caroliniensis)

Ruellia caroliniensis or wild petunia is native to the southeast and I have it all over the place, in the lawn, in the flower beds, in the overgrown edges, sun and shade. If it were not such an aggressive spreader, I would be wild to cultivate it, as it is pretty and starts blooming early, keeping on right through the heat of summer. It is a drought tolerant perennial and pulling it out does little to control it as the stems snap off at the base and it regrows, soon blooming again and making more seed.
However, I have to admit, it is pretty. There is no doubt that I will never be without it, like it or not.