Tibouchina urvilleana is in the Melastomataceae family , and is native to Brazil . It is also have a go at it as purple glory bush or princess blossom , and received its name from the sensational flowers it develop when in bloom . Caring for the hardy tibouchina is relatively light in the subtropical and tropic region of the United States . sound tibouchina plants provide years of stunning purple flush on evergreen foliage , and are an attractive addition to the garden .
Step 1
Grow tibouchina plants out of doors in zone 8 , 9 and 10 , as these areas of the country are the warmest . maturate it in a container in regions that are cooler and receive consistent freezing temperature during wintertime .
Step 2
Select a location that meet full to partial sun during the day , and good afternoon shade in region where daytime highs can be super hot .
Step 3
Grow tibouchina in a weed - free area that is large enough for it to reach its mature size , which can up to 15 feet high with a width of 12 animal foot . Do not grow this works in crowded conditions .
Step 4
Amend the planting area with a fat constitutional material , such as compost , peat or manure . Apply a sassy program of this material around the entire area encompassing the drip business in the outflow and again in late summer . Tibouchina prefer robust soils .
Step 5
Mulch the planting area to keep it weed - free and the soil moist . Apply a brisk applications programme of cypress mulch , pine bark or dilapidate leafage around the develop surface area once per twelvemonth . Adding mulch will also enrich the soil .
Step 6
Water the tibouchina regularly to keep the grow area moist but not flooded . Water the plant several times per week during bouts of dry , hot weather . Water the flora once per week during wintertime that are moist . Do not keep the planting field flooded with water system , as the tibouchina can grow root decomposition .
Step 7
Prune to control the tibouchina ’s sizing and shape . Prune severely , if involve , in early leap so leaf can grow back in prison term for the flower time of year in summertime . Do not prune in late fall or winter , as the plant will be more susceptible to damage from frosts or freezes . Cut plants damaged by frosts or freezes down to the ground in spring , as new development might grow back from the ascendent .
Step 8
fecundate the tibouchina with a 10 - 15 - 10 or 20 - 20 - 20 fertilizer in the former spring , summertime and crepuscule . Apply around the entire drip mould line , not allowing the fertilizer to tinge the primary trunk , or it will get combust .
Step 9
Protect the tibouchina from frosts and freezes by covering the plant with mantle or hanging Christmas lights on its limbs to keep it warm . add container - grown plants indoors during freezing temperatures .
