Description
Browallia – Amethyst Violet – Bush Violet –
There area bout 6 species of upright, compact, bushy annuals and sub shrubby perennials, some evergreen. They occur in damp, shady areas and woodland in North Southern America, tropical South America and the West Indies. They produces strongly veined, slender, ovate to elliptic, deep green leaves and salverform, violet, purple, blue, or white flowers, with 5 broad, unequal lobes, held singly. Where not hardy, grow as container plants in a conservatory or in the homer, in an annual or mixed herbaceous border. In tropical climate, grow in a border or container.
Under glass, grow in soil based potting mix in full light, with shade from hot sum and good ventilation. When in full growth, water moderately and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertilizer monthly, keep just moist in winter. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushy plants.
Outdoors, grow in fertile, humus rich, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, sheltered from drying winds.
Prone to aphids, whiteflies, tomato spotted wilt virus, and fungal leaf spots.
B. speciosa – Bush Violet – Sapphire Flower – This woody based bushy, shrubby perennial, usually grown as an annual from tropical South America grows 24-30″ tall and 10″ wide. It produces ovate or elliptic, rounded to pointed, slightly sticky, matte leaves, 4″ long. In summer, violet, blue, or white flowers, 2″ across, are carried singly or in small clusters.
‘Blue Troll’ – grows 10″ tall and is compact with masses of clear blue flowers
Zones 9-11
