[Kriticat]

I picked up these beauties at a local garden centre, but they didn't know what they were or what they needed...
The one with green and white leaves is probably some sort of onion judging by the smell of the roots.
The one with the dark, almost purple leaves has no scent, they thought it might be a solanum at the garden centre, but it doesn't look like any that I can find
Very grateful for any info...

[Fleur Pavlidis]

Tulbaghia violacea. I can't see the variegated one very we'll, but there is also tulbaghia with white and pale green leaves. I haven't found it as vigorous as the plain one which can grow into big clumps.

[Kriticat]

Thanks Fleur, that's the second one sorted...googled it and it looks like Silver Lace. The first one is something completely different, I'll try to post a clearer picture -had to resize to upload and it's not very clear

[Miriam]

The first one is Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers'

[Kriticat]

You are right Miriam, thank you so much - not sure how you managed to id it from such a lousy photo!
Having checked out its growing requirements I don't think it's going to be very happy in a Mediterranean garden, but it is lovely...I will give it a try

[Hilary]

My friend, who lives in Ancient Corinth, had a pot of this in June 2013.
Unfortunately I don't seem to have kept the photo of the whole plant, just let's say it was breathtaking
I rather think it had a daily dousing of water

[Kriticat]

Oh my, that looks worth a regular watering, thanks for sharing the pic. It also says it can be invasive, but I've got a lot less pretty weeds so I'm happy to take the risk!

[David Dickinson]

Hi All,

Yes, Ruellia brittonianadoes use a lot of water but it is well worth it. I grow it in pots on my balcony where it is easy to keep it well watered. It usually gets well cut back by our occasional cold winter nights in Rome but usually comes back in spring. Cuttings are easily rooted in water.

[John J]

There would appear to be some controversy about the name of this plant with claims that it was originally known as Ruellia simplex and so that should be its recognised title. Whatever the final decision is regarding its name we still find it an easy plant to grow in our garden with very little supplementary water. It does tend to spread itself around a bit but unwanted plants are easily removed.