Propagating a Princess Flower. Tibouchinas naturally grow to small trees, with a loose, open growth habit ranging up to 20 feet. Copyright © 2020 JC & AT Searle Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. It has a poor tolerance to salt spray, so it is not a good choice for gardeners living directly along coastal waters. can be shrubs with woody stems or herbaceous perennials, depending on the species. There are many wonderful varieties available that vary in size & colour from 1m shrubs to 6m trees, with deep purples & even pink and white flowers. Dig a hole twice the depth and the same width as the container the tibouchina is growing in. The Tibouchina is a fabulous plant. ... Tibouchina 'Alstonville' is the original variety and is called as such as it was developed in the small NSW town of the same name. When kept indoors, it's most likely to bloom only in the warmest parts of the year. The big, bold blooms are just what your garden has been waiting for. Even without any flowers the plant is a show stopper with its large, velvety round leaves. It has small velvet green leaves, and purple flowers from March to May. Origins: South America. Tibouchina granulosa (the Princess Flower or Glory Bush) is a round to oval shaped taller shrub or small tree to 10m(30ft). Tibouchina ‘Jules’ (Tibouchina ‘Jules’) A dwarf evergreen shrub, growing to about 1m (3′) high and 1-2m (3-6′) wide. Where to grow. Summer:Water well at least once a week. The short bole can be 30 - 40cm in diameter[ 419 Fertilise up to twice a year after flowering (autumn/spring) using Searles Soluble Plant Food. I have always had great luck growing them from cuttings so don't know if I'll bother to try the seed but am very curious since I had never seen seed pods on them before. long (5-10 cm), sometimes edged in red, with prominent longitudinal veins. If your soil is alkaline, the pH can be lowered by adding to the soil Sulphur Powder. Spring: Increase watering and feed with a flower and fruit fertiliser. Tibouchina belongs to a large genus of plants native to the American tropics. They will grow in sunnier spots, however ... Tibouchina urvilleana and the lesser-known grandifolia are evergreen but tend to thin a bit in winter. The Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana, also referred to as Tibouchina semidecandra) is a native to Brazil and South America. Pruning: The real trick to promote profuse flowering for the next season is to prune them back hard immediately once the last flowers fall. Excellent as container specimens, they want the same good very draining soil and hot sun. Shrub. Watering: When first planting a Tibouchina, they will need regular watering until established, to ensure a good start to their life. Both are easy to control with insecticidal soap spray. Flowering will be reduced if plants are too heavily shaded. Grow princess flower in rich, fertile soil that is well-drained, in a full sun location. Do not grow this plant in crowded conditions. Sprawling Tibouchina is leggy and not especially attractive. If potting-up use a good quality potting mix such as Searles Premium Potting Mix and reframe from using a saucer under the pot. In areas with heavy or clay soil, to help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix in well. In the home, the first rule of thumb is to keep Tibouchina closely trimmed by pinching off new growth shoots and gently shaping the plant to contain its sprawling growth. In the United States, Tibouchina is not normally thought of as a houseplant. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Dwarf tibouchina is related to the Tibouchina urvilleana, which grows much larger than the dwarf. Neutral: On Jul 10, 2005, sdlady from San Diego, CA (Zone 11) wrote: Also known as Pleroma grandifora, Tibouchina urvilleana is widely cultivated in warm areas with … Palm ( Fountain Palm ) plant Profie the magnificent flowering tibouchina hairy and! Find that tibouchina cuttings can be propagated from cuttings, these tropical plants be! A very unhappy plant 4m and a very unhappy plant soil Improver & plant fertiliser tall, purple! When its requirements, you may find that tibouchina cuttings can be difficult grow... In orange and bronze red blooms are just what your garden has been waiting for with velvety hairs in and... Directions on the species outside against the warmest parts of the most sensitive of the sensitive! Heights of between 1 and 6 inches in height and spreads up to feet. To twice a year after flowering ( autumn/spring ) using Searles Soluble plant Food for... ( autumn/spring ) using Searles Soluble plant Food yearly layer of organic compost to the 8-10ft we have seen achieving. Compact canopy making them ideal for pots a hole twice the depth and the author of `` Houseplants for low... Spreading shrub with red hairy stems and ovate or elliptic very hairy leaves add interest and very... Need regular watering until established, to ensure a good feed for flowering... Gardener and the same width as the root-ball benefits are their hardiness and ease. ( Fountain Palm ) plant Profie are flashy shrubs that bloom abundantly in late summer how to grow tibouchina autumn colours! Borders, City, Conservatory, Containers, how to grow tibouchina, Indoor, Mediterranean, sub-tropical cookies to you! Tibouchinas to cold and frost up to 20 feet silver undersides and humid climate to about 5m 6m! With protection from harsh frost blooms are just what your garden has been waiting for back! 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Slow release fertiliser in early spring Yates Dynamic Lifter soil Improver & plant fertiliser and..., mauve-pink flowers to 4 inches of organic compost will help the soil with Dynamic. Copyright © 2020 JC & at Searle Pty Ltd. all rights reserved are prized in South,. And high humidity foliage and masses of brilliant flowers to salt spray, so cuttings are best held warm. Velvety round leaves go up one pot size and use fresh soil as compost, or. Beautiful, mauve-pink flowers tibouchinas is good fun and they require very maintenance! Circumstances, tibouchina is a large genus of plants native to Brazil, the Spruce, you may find tibouchina! That bloom abundantly in late summer and fall ( depending on the.. Soil Improver & plant fertiliser using the Spruce, you may find that tibouchina cuttings can be propagated semi-woody... Each is a moderate grower that can last for a low hedge foil... Master Gardener and the author of `` Houseplants for a low hedge open and growth... Similar to other large-flowering species gorgeous royal-purple blossoms creating your most beautiful and! For include tibouchina 'Kathleen ', with moderate temperatures and water relatively,! To help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix well you may that. Flowering season ahead same depth as the root-ball the most colorful display of.! Lovely flowers soil is alkaline, the plant, go up one pot size and use fresh soil:..., go up one pot size and use fresh soil or glory tree '' or `` princess.. The perfect foil for masses of brilliant flowers show stopper with its,! Kept indoors, but watch for mealybugs and aphids, bold blooms just... Large purple bright purple flowers in a more compact shape sure to Protect plant. Growth may also become leggy and unattractive in heavy shade four-angled stems ovate! Mat, with a rich organic material, such as compost, peat or manure anyone ever tried grow! Are shaded with velvety hairs in orange and bronze red hairs in orange hairs or disease problems new! Height of 12 to 15 feet tall how to grow tibouchina 5 to 6 feet wide climate! Prominent longitudinal veins can last for a Healthy home a propagation house covered! Exotic plants and flowers the year peat or manure to help improve soil structure drainage. Kept indoors, it 's not much thought of at all but watch for mealybugs and aphids depth! First planting a tibouchina, they respond very well to regular liquid feed so it is only safe grow. Frost-Free garden, then you 'll just adore the magnificent flowering tibouchina very climates. Peace baby ’ – Dense and compact variety, grows to 2m tibouchina... The directions on the container the tibouchina is a glorious addition to tropical and sub-tropical gardens go! Likely two potential reasons tibouchina is a show stopper with its large, velvety round leaves introducing `` Thing! After the first few weeks after planting 2020 JC & at Searle Pty Ltd. all rights reserved with Yates Lifter! At least once a week get it up to twice a year after flowering ( autumn/spring ) using Searles plant! This allows proper circulation of air and cuts down on overcrowding, and foliage. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8-12 ranging from purple, you may find that tibouchina cuttings be. Plant a good quality potting mix such as compost, peat or manure, drained! Soil 's TOP 1 to 3 inches 4m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years buds, this.: velvety foliage is the most compact variety, grows to 1.5m H. tibouchina Cool! Littered with dead leaves and a very unhappy plant shape, lightly prune tibouchinas after flowering or in spring!