Screeners: Tibouchina urvilleana

description for "Screeners: Tibouchina urvilleana"

Princess Flower is also known as Glory Bush and Purple Glory Bush. Tropical evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to Brazil. Blooming intermittently May-January with rich purple satiny 3-5 inch flowers with purple stamens that occur at the ends of the stems either singly or in small groups. The buds are large, reddish and hairy. Slender branched shrub develops a short trunk with a bushy crown. The young stems are reddish and slightly hairy, turning brown later. The oblong leaves are 2-4 inches in length and dark green with slightly hairy undersides. A handsome plant in bush form or to adorn a wall or pillar. Prefers full sun and does best in light soil with added organic matter and slightly acidic to neutral soil. Keep moist during growing season and prune after flowering. The stems are somewhat brittle and need protection from strong wind. Does not like frost. Minimize leggy appearance by light pruning after each bloom cycle followed by heavier pruning in early spring. Does best with feeding after spring pruning and light prune after bloom cycle. Resprouts quickly after pruning.