what is Tibouchina Tree?

Tibouchina Tree (All You Should Know)

The Tibouchina tree, also called Purple Glory Tree or Princess Flower, is one of the beautiful shrubs with purple flowers that grab everyone’s attention.

This is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to tropical parts of South America, such as Brazil, but you can find it in Australia.

The attractive flowers of the Tibouchina tree appear primarily in autumn and are featured with dark green leaves, giving it a visually appealing appearance.

Talking about this breathtaking tree may persuade you to learn more about it. Why not join us in this article to discover more about this plant?

How attractive is Tibouchina Tree?

• Tibouchina belongs to the Melastomataceae family, which has over 350 species of different sizes that can be used for planting in different regions, such as gardens or pots.
• Tibouchina grows up to 15-20 feet in height and 406 m in wide, being a true showstopper with its large, velvety leaves and striking purple flowers that bloom throughout the year. 
• The flowers, measuring up to 3 inches in diameter, comprise five petals and feature a unique, iridescent sheen. 
• The tree’s foliage is equally impressive, with 12-20 cm long dark green leaves and a silvery underside, creating a beautiful contrast against the vibrant blooms.

Is Tibouchina a tree or a shrub?

1. You may be confused that Tibouchina is a tree or shrub after seeing the words tree and shrub used for this plant. Stay with us in this section to find out.
2. Tibouchina species vary in size, making them suitable for different spaces and situations. Common species include Tibouchina granulosa grows up to 10 m and is considered a tree; T. macrantha reaches 3 m and is considered a shrub; and T. urvilleana grows up to 4.5 m and is classified as a shrub. Modern varieties are often bred for compactness.
3. In large-spaced gardens, tall-growing touchings such as ‘Alstonville’ (T. lepidota), growing up to 5 meters, can be trimmed and shaped as a small tree or shrub. Medium-sized shrubs like ‘Carol Lyn’ reach 1.5 meters in height and 1 meter in width.
4. Compact varieties like ‘Jules’ (60 cm high and comprehensive), ‘Jazzie’ (1-meter-high bush with large purple flowers), and ‘Groovy Baby’ (45 cm high and wide) are suitable for containers, raised beds, or low hedges. These varieties flower from spring to autumn and are widely grown in Australian gardens.

How to grow a Tibouchina tree?

1. Tibouchina trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates, with USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 ideal.
2. Tibouchina tree or shrub does not require full sunlight; exposure to the sun for a few hours is enough for their growth. So, if you want to plant Tibouchina, you can find a spot with partial shade.
3. This plant is sensitive to winter wind, and because of that, it should be planted in a location with a shelter-like structure.
4. The ideal soil for its growth is soil enriched by cow manure, a mixture of topsoil, or organic peat moss.
5. During the hot and dry days, water the plant to keep it moist, but don’t overwater it during rainy days.

How to care for Tibouchina Tree?

Here are the tips that you need to do when you care Tibouchina tree to have a successful and stunning plant:

1. Watering: Tibouchina trees require regular watering, especially during the first few years of growth and hot days. Keep the soil consistently moist but not overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
2. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the early spring and summer to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, which can cause leaf burn and inhibit blooming.
3. Pruning: Prune your Tibouchina tree after flowering or early spring before new growth begins. Removing dead or damaged branches encourages the tree to produce new branches and remain in good shape.

In warm regions Tibouchina tree may bear several blooming; lightly fertilizing and pruning after each blooming should be done.

1. Pest and Disease Control: Depending on the growth condition, the rate of resistance of Tibouchina trees to pests and diseases can vary. Pests or diseases would not easily affect them if grown in ideal conditions with proper soil type.

But if they grow in poor soil, they can be affected by fungal infections such as powdery mildew and leaf spot.

They cannot quickly recover after undergoing fungal disease.

1. Overwintering: Tibouchina trees can be grown in containers and brought indoors during winter in colder climates. Place the tree in a bright, sunny location and reduce watering to prevent root rot.

If you don’t transfer it with care to the container, it will undergo shock stress, which results in dropping leaves and failing to bloom.

Let’s recap

The Tibouchina tree or shrub is beloved for its vibrant purple flowers, which add a touch of beauty to any region where it grows.

It is native to Brazil and can also be found in Australia, with various species available to suit different garden spaces.

We hope this article has provided comprehensive information about the Tibouchina tree.

Which varieties of Tibouchina do you want to plant in your garden, and why?

Let us know in the comments section.