looking for a purple plant

[1MajorTom]

While bike riding with my daughter yesterday, we were in an area that we normally don't ride. i saw these purple flowered plants that i had never seen before, and i liked them. They were on a front porch in ceramic pots. The flowers were vibrant purple, and the plant draped down the ceramic pots.
The lady of the house was out, so we asked her what they were called.
And she said, "Brilliant Scarnia". She even spelled it. Well there is no such word, i have tried many different types of spellings, but i can't find it.
I assumed it was a perennial, but now i'm not sure.
The bees were very attracted to the flowers, tiny little bees everywhere on the purple flowers.
Would anyone have any idea what this plant is called?

[MudslinginFX4]

It wasnt purple heart was it? not sure if thats common up in PA

[1MajorTom]

No, it's not purple heart.

[White Gardens]

Wondering Jew ????

Are you talking purple flower, or purple foliage ???

[1MajorTom]

no, it's not a wondering jew. I'm talking purple flower, very very vibrant purple, the foliage is green.

[fl-landscapes]

I usually take a picture with my camer phone and send it in to U of Florida for id if I have a question. Bet your extension service could id or even this forum could with a picture. Take one on your next bike ride.

[White Gardens]

Ya, I got no good guesses without a pic.

[Kate Butler]

Scaevola - some folks see it as blue, some see it as purple.

http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=scaevola&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

Could this be it??

[44DCNF]

There are other tradescantia with purple flowers but foliage different than the wandering jew. Some with bright green foliage like blades of grass. There is a lavender Scabiosa. Purple Salvia. Cerinthe are purple bells. What shape flower, what type foliage are we guessing about. Some more particulars would help....hairy leaves, rough or smooth, round or lance shaped, flower is bell shaped, globe shaped, trumpet like?

[Roger]

Jodi, I was out working today at a property we rarely mow (vacation cover). But, I stumbled on to some plants that may/may not fit your description. The owner had the one in the pic planted in bed, but also had some in pots on the patio behind the house.

If this is it, I can ask him about the plant when he returns. If not, then ignore my pics, ...

[White Gardens]

That's a Castor Bean

[Roger]

That's a Castor Bean

That is what somebody else suggested. Since Castor Beans grow so rapidly, they should be very tall in a few weeks.

When that was suggested, I was skeptical. The owner has two small grandchildren who are at his house often. I understand there is something about Castor Beans that is poisonous. Maybe it is just the beans that show up much later, something that he can control easily. Perhaps the plant itself is non-toxic.

[Kate Butler]

That is what somebody else suggested. Since Castor Beans grow so rapidly, they should be very tall in a few weeks.

When that was suggested, I was skeptical. The owner has two small grandchildren who are at his house often. I understand there is something about Castor Beans that is poisonous. Maybe it is just the beans that show up much later, something that he can control easily. Perhaps the plant itself is non-toxic.

That 'something' about the castor bean is that the entire plant is poisonous. The terrorist's choice, ricin, is derived from the castor bean plant.

I, too, find it hard to believe that a responsible person would use this plant if children would be frequently present.

[White Gardens]

There are a few varieties of Castor beans that grow at different rates.

Even the ones I've planted this year are still short from the cool wet summer we're having.

I've got a bright red, 5-6 foot max, another one that is deep green, large leaves and grows up o 12-15 feet, and another similar to that one that that is in the middle.

Yes the whole plant is poisons, but the seed is going to be what is intriging to children. If the HO decides to keep the plant, he should pull the bloom (seed pod) off after it starts to lose color and wilt.

[1MajorTom]

Thanks for all the replies, and the time taken to take pictures and post them! I really appreciate the help. I should have done a better job trying to explain it. And taking a picture would have been a big help, I didn't have my cell phone on me though.
But with all that said, Kate got it for me. The first picture on the top left from her link looks exactly like it.
Thanks again,

[White Gardens]

Dang Kate, How did you get that from no pic ??? :clapping:

[Kate Butler]

Dang Kate, How did you get that from no pic ??? :clapping:

It's what I do (flowering plants) and I hope you all are repping me appropriately for it.:):):)

[Roger]

Yea, Kate!!!

Now that you've made clear your great understanding of the subject matter, I may be sending you an image now and then....