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Princess Flower Tibouchina urvilleana

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Pleroma urvilleanum
Phonetic Spelling
tib-OO-kee-nuh ur-VIL-ah-nuh
Description

Princess Flower is an evergreen tropical shrub native to Brazil that is best used as an annual or house plant in zones lower than 9. In zone 8 it will die to the ground in winter but may come back in spring. This shrub can be trained into tree form and typically reaches 6-8 feet but can grow to 10-20 feet in warm winter areas. It prefers moist acidic well-drained soil. In hot summer areas, it likes some protection from the afternoon sun. It is tolerant of drought once established and has moderate salt tolerance.

The showy purple flowers appear in terminal panicles and the tree has a long bloom season. The evergreen leaves are dark green with lighter undersides and are 4-6 inches long.

In NC, use as an annual or in containers that can be over-wintered in the house or a greenhouse. Use as a patio tree for accent and as a specimen

Problems: potential pests are scales, mealybugs and nematodes

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#specimen#purple flowers#salt tolerant#tropical evergreen#large flowers#long bloom time#poolside planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#coastal plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#specimen#purple flowers#salt tolerant#tropical evergreen#large flowers#long bloom time#poolside planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#coastal plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tibouchina
    Species:
    urvilleana
    Family:
    Melastomataceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil
    Distribution:
    FL, TX, CA
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    5-parted round capsule maturing to brown
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    3-4 inch purple flowers with 5 petals and purple stamens occur in terminal panicles and can bloom throughout the year in warm winter areas
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green leaves are lighter underneath with bowed parallel venation and soft hairs. They are lanceolate to ovate and 4-6 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. Margins are entire
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Green
    Bark Description:
    Bark light Green to tan and Smooth.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Salt