Plant Profile: Tibouchina urvilleana

Tibouchina urvilleana, often referred to as the princess flower or glory bush, is a robust tropical shrub characterized by its dense, rounded yet sprawling form. Typically, it reaches heights of 6 to 8 feet, but under ideal conditions, it can grow up to 15 feet. This versatile plant can be shaped into a small tree or trained to climb on an arbor or trellis. It thrives in USDA Zones 9 to 11, while in Zone 8, it may die back to the ground during winter but usually regenerates from the roots in spring.

For optimal growth, this shrub prefers moist, acidic, and nutrient-rich soils that are well-drained, ideally situated in full sunlight, although it benefits from some afternoon shade in hotter climates. It’s advisable to protect the plants from strong winds and to apply mulch to help keep the roots cool. The shrub can spread through suckers in garden areas, so light pruning after flowering is recommended to manage its growth and prevent excessive legginess.

Tibouchina urvilleana can also be cultivated in containers, which can be sunk into the ground or placed on patios and decks during the growing season. However, since the plant is sensitive to frost, it’s important to move containers indoors to a cool, bright location before the first frost of fall. This species exhibits slight salt tolerance. For more information and images, visit https://extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/extgardener-tibouchina.