Meadow Beauty Rhexia virginica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhexia stricta
- Rhexia virginica var. purshii
- Rhexia virginica var. septemnervia
- Phonetic Spelling
- REKS-ee-uh vir-JIN-ih-kuh
- Description
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In its natural setting, Virginia Meadow beauty can be found growing in wetlands, wet meadows, bogs, seepage slopes, and open sandy locations. Taller plants will sprawl along the ground while shorter ones will stand erect.
It grows from an underground tuber and will spread rapidly. Makes an attractive appearance in the garden with its pink flowers with contrasting yellow anthers. Blooming typically takes place in late summer and lasts for approximately one month. The bloom time is dependant on the zone where planted. After blooming and autumns arrival, the seed capsules turn red, adding to the plants' attractiveness. The capsules remain through the winter.
It can be propagated by seed. After the green fruit turns a copper color, dries out and becomes brittle the seed will be mature. Store the seed in a sealed container and refrigerate. Stratify for 2 to 3 months at 40 degrees. The plant will typically reseed itself.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Frequently damaged by deer.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhexia
- Species:
- virginica
- Family:
- Melastomataceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators. Deer will frequent this plant. The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- The urn-shaped green fruit displays from July to November. When ripe, the color will become copper in color, dry out and become brittle as the seed mature.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of 1 in. widely spread bright purple-pink flowers have a glandular, hairy calyx tube, 4 sepals united to form an urn-shaped to vase-like tube with four lobes at the summit. The flowers open in the morning and often drops petals by mid-day. Flowers bloom from May to October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The simple or branched 4-sided stem has narrow wings. Along the central stem, there are 1 to 3 inch oval to egg-shaped opposite leaves with small bristly teeth on the margins. Each leaf is 1 1/4" wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- This plant is typically unbranched with the exception of the apex where a few lateral stems are produced with flowers. The central stem is light green to purple-green with glandular hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
