Petunias produce pretty summer flowers, and the native Carolina wild petunia is no exception.

The wild petunia, scientifically known as Ruellia caroliniensis, is a Coastal Plain native perennial that returns each year from previous locations and from self-seedings, according to Helen Hamilton, past president of the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society, and retired biology teacher.

The petunia blooms May through September. It grows in any soil, full sun or part shade works, and drought doesn’t deter it.