Home»Shrubs»General Shrub Info
The Tibouchina tree diagram , or botanicallyTibouchina Urvilleanagoes by many name . This lush tropical blooming bush may seem or fathom familiar because of its common names :
Tibouchina urvilleana , I call back when I first run into the regal glory Princess efflorescence . It was over 35 year ago , in West Palm Beach , Florida , when I get together my wife ’s grandmother for the first sentence .
Photo Credit: Instagram @vicky_paras
She was visiting friends in South Florida , and they had a Tibouchina works in full sunlight flower away in the backyard .
The felt - similar dark green foliage with prominent longitudinal vein and deep royal purple flower pulled me toward it like a bee to honey .
An evergreen shrub from the family Melastomataceae is aboriginal to South America , specially Guiana and Brazil .
The Tibouchina plant does well in warm climates . You may keep this works as a carefully pruned houseplant , a bloom shrub , or a minor tree .
The versatility of the Vannevar Bush or tree diagram Tibouchina makes it a popular pick inlandscaping .
In this clause , we will talk about the various case of Tibouchina and offer advice to make the most out of this lovely plant in your home , M , or garden . Read on to learn more .
Tibouchina Tree Quick Care Tips
The Various Species Of Tibouchina
Around 350 distinct tibouchina princess flower species subsist . However , only a few of them are under cultivation .
All varieties hold unique , beautiful , dense leaves with a velvety grain . The folio sizing variegate in size from one case to another . Also , its flower equals the size of it of its leafage .
In their instinctive circumstance in South America , wild species grow heyday in various shade of ashen , pink , and purple .
Those under finish , for the most part , produce purple blooms , while others bear pink flowers .
Because they are aboriginal to South America , these industrial plant do well in warmer climate . However , due to their versatility and adaptability , they fit perfectly in inhuman climate or inner as house plants during the winter .
Top Characteristics Of Tibouchina
Tibouchina Urvilleanashares some remarkable quality . At a glance , one can easily say this plant stand out amongdifferent types of bushesthat exist .
at last , tibouchina possesses numerous noteworthy features , and listing its best machine characteristic devote enough reasonableness for anyone to light for it .
Popular And Hardy
Tibouchina Urvilleanaappears as the most popular version of the glory bush , a large specie producing leaves of about 6″ inches in length .
Its purple and violet peak develop up to three inches across . Moreover , this purplish glory species puts on a fabulous show throughout the summer and may flower ad libitum at other times .
Tibouchina can grow to be fifteen feet high and twelve foot wide given a warm clime , good ground shape , and plenty of infinite .
Tibouchina plants maturate successfully in US Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 - 12 . In zone 8 , it perish back after the first frost but revives in the springtime .
Dazzling Flower Color
Athens Blue , known as a cultivar ofTibouchina urvilleanagrows hardy in zone 10 - 11 . This flora produces attractive , dark purple flower .
Abundant Blossoms
Tibouchina lepidota , a heavily bloom species , does well when trained as a tree diagram .
Throughout its blossom time of year , the vivacious blooms ofTibouchina lepidotapresent an almost solid showing of purpleness .
In increase , this species may thrive in zone 10 - 11 and may even bloom all class around in warm orbit .
Attractive Foliage
Tibouchina grandiflora(also have it off asTibouchina heteromalla ) boasts thick and interesting foliage . They appear quite heavy , velvety , and presentable in an attractive shade of silverish unripe .
Grandiflora , a jolly sized bush , usually stay on between five and eight feet gamey .
In ideal condition , the industrial plant may reach a maximum of ten animal foot high-pitched . It may grow robustly in USDA hardiness zone 9 - 11 .
The long flower season of Tibouchina Grandiflora present large clusters of dark purplish flowers throughout the spring and summer and well into fall .
Throughout the rest of the yr , the foliage adds texture and involvement to your garden scope .
Impressive Height
Tibouchina granulosa grows tough in zone 10b-11 and can uprise up to twenty ft mellow . Its flower measure up to two inches wide and grow in loose clusters from early outflow until well into the drop .
Although pruning the plant as a bush may seem possible , the flora actually falls under the tree category , and it will grow best if depart alone so it can rise as one .
The other miscellany of tibouchina indeed present mountain of opportunities for growing shrubs andcontainer plants .
If you want a more definitive multi - trunk tree shape , prune the lower limbs of the automobile trunk of the young Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on a regular basis . Check out our favorite pruners here !
This will boost the plant to grow leaf and blossoms in the upper limbs .
Manageable Size And Habits
Tibouchina also derive in a nanus variety , but it stage large , abundant flowers . Some bear blossoms as wide as 6″ inches across . Both pink and purple varieties exist .
One of the small varieties , tibouchina organensis , holds minuscule leave which only size up to 3″ inch . Its blossoms only grow for about two column inch in width .
These piffling dynamos make a terrific option due to their variety of uninspired hybrid , and they do not spread as well . what is more , they thrive in modest options alfresco in USDA hardiness zones 10 - 11 , and they can live as indoor container plants in any environment .
These piddling wonders grow to a uttermost of 2 ½ ’ feet grandiloquent and even make a nice earth natural covering .
Princess Flower In The Landscape
Various species of tibouchina thrive in the US from zone 8 - 12 . The flora grows vigorously , with species ranging in size of it from two to twenty invertebrate foot high .
All variety athletics velvety , Ag , and fleeceable leaves and sometimes a bit of the decline color . Flowers look attractive and abundant in various shades of pink and purple .
loosely , tibouchina trees contain non - toxic substances and serve dissimilar uses in the landscape painting . Depending upon the species you pick out and your pruning method acting , you may apply this attractive plant as :
Its vibrant colors , profuse foliation , and attractive barque add visual elements to tropic garden place setting . As container specimen , these plants make a bright summation to your sun parlour or greenhouse .
Princess Flower fares well as a fantastic accession to a butterfly stroke garden ( like the Buddleia butterfly bush ) .
In fact , they attract hosts of butterflies , bees , and other crucial pollinators . In warm climates , these lovely plants remain evergreen .
Areas with freeze winters see the princess flower as a recurrent plant .
On the other manus , like full Sunday , do best when placed in a sheltered area not open to freezing and high-pitched jazz .
Planting And Care Instructions
attention instructions for all 350 varieties of Tibouchina appear somewhat similar . Despite the strange structure and appearing , growing tibouchina flora only requires a few simple thing .
They also wish lots of sun and deep , fertile , well - drained grime and respond well to liquid fertilizer .
All smaller diverseness benefit from unconstipated pruning and logical fertilizing . As with most plants , you need to provide Tibouchina with well - prepared , rich , and constituent grime capable of defy moisture appropriately and drain well . annul wet roots at all times .
Glory bushenjoys direct sunlight . However , if you hold up in an area with sweltering summer , plant in an area with an good afternoon shaded location .
Practice Regular And Judicious Watering
Glory bushes necessitate steady tearing . Deep , hebdomadary watering is an ideal organization . The soil border the plant should always wait springy and never sway heavily or inert .
Additionally , athick stratum of mulcharound your tibouchina serve give wet in and protects the roots against extreme point of temperature .
Pruning The Tibouchina Tree
Tibouchina usually grows in a rearing tangle which makes snip a bit of a chore . After the growing season , provide your shrub and trees a good pruning to command their increase substance abuse and specify their shape .
Pruning the plant before the wintertime months set in will facilitate your plants educate and survive the cooler conditions .
When you crop in the autumn or winter in area that do not exude too much cold , carefully polish off any damage , pathologic , or dead limbs .
endeavour to remove limbs grow in an asymmetrical mode or those moving toward the center of the industrial plant . make a silhouette with the ability to stretch graciously outwards and up .
Taller species do very well when grown as trees . This kind of pruning sum pursuit due to the lovely leaf and bounteous blossoms apart from very attractive rust - colour bark .
When you train a glory Vannevar Bush as a tree , cut unwanted limbs flush with the torso for the sound appearance and to avoid the exploitation of diseases .
Adding Fertilizers To Your Tibouchina
Earlyin the bounce , fertilizeyour tibouchina with a controlled - release fertiliser ( 15 - 9 - 12 ) .
Scatter teetotal fertiliser equally around the base of the flora , using a little over a lb of fertilizer per hundred straight feet .
stretch your program program to just past the lower outgrowth ’ drip line . rick the top level of soil and water your plants good to assist integrate the mealy fertilizer into the soil .
In a warm arena , princess flowers undergo multiple blossom cycles . Prune and fertilize softly after each cycle per second . Likerhododendrons and azaleas , tibouchina likes acidic soil , so choose products for dot - loving plants .
When fertilizing several times annually , follow computer software guidance in the spring .
During the rest of the year , cut the pane in half . If your plants do not respond well to your fecundate schedule , test your soil before making allowance .
When actively produce , they respond very well to regular liquidity provender .
If you discover the exuberant alkalinity of the territory , amend its top level with redwood compost or pine needle to enhance acidity . These cloth also make good mulch .
Use Dwarf Tibouchina In Container Planting
Naturally , nanus tibouchinamakes an splendid selection as a container plant . But if you enjoy pruning and defining , smaller species of glory bush may dish up as the perfect eccentric of tibouchina for economic consumption as adeck or patio plants .
It takes a bit of thrifty pruning to keep the increment under control and palaver out the skilful shape , but the plant life ’s lush foliage and dark low-spirited / purple flowers will make all your effort worthwhile .
Forcontainer planting , follow directions for soil preparation and placement of received tibouchina . If you plant your tibouchina in a container , it will need fertilizing softly on a seasonal basis , eject wintertime .
ContainerTibouchina responds well to deadheading . you could extend the flower season indefinitely for houseplants with regular deadheading .
Problems With Pests And Diseases
Problems with pesterer and disease while grow tibouchina may exist . When naturalize in these ideal conditions , nimbus bush defy most pestis and diseases .
If keep in inadequate grime , it will by nature lose resistor and may fall prey to pestilence .
If the soil lack unspoiled drainage , antecedent rot and fungal infection may lead . A glory bush with solution rot usually ends up culled and disposed of . They do not recover well from this condition .
A glory George Bush with debile resistor may become plagued by the following :
In the garden setting , theintroduction of beneficial insects preying on spider mite and scales handles the government issue well .
hard infestations require the app of horticultural oil color or insecticidal easy lay . These discussion are also in force indoors .
Dealing with nematodes spells is a drawn-out and complicated process . However , mostly involves sound horticulture practices . If you provide your plants with proper care , you may likely nullify manage with a nematode infestation .
Provide ample sun and light , loam or arenaceous loam grime with slight acidity . Water judiciously and on a regular basis . Protect your plant from eminent air current and sub - freezing temperatures .
Over-Wintering
In a northerly background , you could delight your tibouchina as a houseplant throughout the cold wintertime months and then let it luxuriate outdoors in the late spring , summer , and other autumn .
If you put your potted plant life into the ground during the summer , you will want to dig it up and prune both the top and the radical before pot .
This will help it generate new ontogeny and conform to through the threshold .
Transplanting Tibouchina Indoors For The Winter
Take attention when transplanting your Princess Flower from a garden to a container or frailty - versa . The poor proficiency results in transplant stress .
This present up as lost leaves and nonstarter to blossom . On the other bridge player , with proper upkeep , the plant should eventually recover and thrive .
Dig With Care
To unearth tibouchina , place the sharp summit of your shovel far enough off from the base of the plant to keep off damaging the roots .
labor the shovel into the soil deep enough to get the tip to the groundwork of the etymon ball . Using leverage , tilt the plant up and out of the ground . position your hand under the root glob to lift the plant life up .
Trim The Roots And The Foliage
excite off excess soil and massage the roots to loosen and train them for stem pruning . Use sharp , light scissors hold or shears to trim about an column inch off the root word ball all the path around .
Prune back the foliage , supernumerary limbs , and stems . If you keep the newfangled plant life as a houseplant , it will grow . If you plan to keep the tree diagram dormant , trim it down to about six in high .
Contain Your Plant Well
Whenrepotting the Princess Flower for the winter , do not use an excessively large pot . After pruning the root , select a pot size with no more than one or two inches enceinte in circumference than the remaining origin ball .
You should ideally make consumption of just a span of column inch of unexampled soil all around . This small amount of dirt facilitate prevent antecedent rot and excessive growth during the winter months .
Use A High-Quality Potting Medium
Prepare a short potting soil using peat , coco coir , perlite , vermiculite , or guts . commix all of your constituent thoroughly .
Prepare your pot by set a level of pebbles or Styrofoam packing Arachis hypogaea in the bottom to alleviate right drainage . Add a couple of inches of your prepared potting intermixture , and then center your plant .
Keep the top of the root ball about an in from the top of the pot . Fill in all around the etymon ball with your prepared potting mix . Press the mix down lightly as you work , and convey the dirt story even with the top of the root ballock .
Water thinly to correct the soil and impart more as postulate to fill up in settled arena . Keep a container of your fain potting mix on paw through the wintertime to top up the soil in instance it settles .
Keeping Your Princess Bush Happy In Winter
Glory bush loves full sunshine all day . or else , leaving them outside for six hours under verbatim sunshine will answer .
These plant life also do well ifsupplemented with artificial light .
However , this will not work during winter . As you need to keep the works safe until bounce , think not let your plant grow too prominent so transferring them wo n’t cause a problem .
Keep your tibouchina in a well - light country with temperature systematically ranging between 55 ° and 70 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
piddle softly and do n’t fertilize potted tibouchina during the wintertime months to keep their stature minimal during wintertime .
allow an capable container of water supply stay near your princess George Bush at all multiplication . In this way of life , way temperature and chemical - spare water rest approachable when you water your plant life .
Most atomic number 17 and other chemicals will dissipate from water left sitting for 24 hours . Room - temperature water supply will not shock the ascendant of your plant .
Keeping Your Plant Dormant Through Winter
Being an excellent potted flora candidate think it can enjoy summer out on the patio up Second Earl of Guilford and overwinter indoors .
To hold your potted plant during the winter month , prune the plant life enough for it to fit the available window infinite .
Through the winter months , do not fecundate until the ardent saltation atmospheric condition arrives and growth begins . Water sparingly only when the surface of the soil is ironical .
While indoors , try out to keep the plant in as bright an expanse as potential with temperature between 55 - 70 degree . If you ’re lucky … you may even get a flower while indoors . What a treat that is !
However , some choose to over - winter industrial plant in morose , cool surface area such as a cellar in places without a sunlight - rich place .
If you do this , your plants will go completely dormant . You will need to check from time to time and water very sparingly to keep the plant alive until springtime .
Transitioning To Outdoors
Take your over - wintered glorification bush back outside in the spring after the signs of frost wholly subside . Keep the temperatures above 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
Transition your plant to outside over a period of a dyad of weeks .
Give it curt visits alfresco in the sunlight during the quick part of the sidereal day . Extend its time outside bit by spot to acclimate it to being outdoors once more .
Keep Tibouchina Under Control
Tibouchina bush do well in cool Mediterranean climates and coastal southern California .
Princess plants do remarkably well in tropical areas of the US , such as Hawaii and Florida . Due to this , you must act responsibly to keep their growth under control .
Control propagation . Tibouchina , as a vigorous plant , can spread chop-chop under ideal conditions .
nip raw growth helps increase branch and will enhance the floral presentation . Keep an eye out for scales and mushroom root rot .
In fact , these plants grow uncontrollably in some places due to their weather , soil quality , and other factor . In Hawaii , Tibouchina is list as a “ noxious weed . ”
If you live on in a strong , accommodating climate , harvest your tibouchina seed pod when they develop . Otherwise , the plants will ego - seminal fluid , and you will soon find a tibouchina woods or else of a garden .
Tibouchina midget look as a remarkably beautiful plant , and care for it may seem like a chore or a zephyr . A lot depends on the step you take when pick out and turn tipochina plants .
take the right size industrial plant for your place setting and supply a perfect stead for your plant life to fly high while monitoring its unremarkable status .
Growing Questions
dubiousness : Will purpurate “ bouchina ” or Mexican Princess farm in New Orleans ? – WF , New Orleans , LA .
Answer : I gestate the plant you are asking about isTibouchina semidecandra . It has large purple flowers and can place upright a few degrees of rime .
Train against a wall . It is sometimes grown as a tub specimen for summer bloom and put inside in a cool , well - lighted place for the winter .
