Brazilian natives with deeply veined, oval, pointed leaves and big, showy, five-petaled flowers in various shades of purple. Bloom is intermittent over a long period. These plants prefer rich, well- drained, slightly acid soil; a thick layer of mulch helps keep the roots cool. They have a tendency to legginess and should be pruned lightly after every bloom cycle, somewhat more heavily in spring; resprout quickly after heavy pruning. Pinch tips of young plants to encourage bushiness. Somewhat resistant to deer damage.
purple glory tree
- To 40 feet in its native setting, but more likely to reach 20 feet tall and at least as wide in gardens.
- Broad, spreading habit.
- Glossy, dark green, 5- to 8 inches-long leaves with fuzzy undersides.
- Deep rose to violet flowers are 2 inches across, held in clusters up to 1 feet long.
- Gibraltar is dwarf, to just 112 feet tall and wide, with leaves edged in creamy white; excellent in containers.
SILVERLEAFED PRINCESS FLOWER
tibouchina heteromalla(Tibouchina grandifolia)
- To 46 feet tall, 68 feet wide, with very large (to 9 inches-long), fuzzy, silvery green leaves.
- Inch-wide violet flowers are held above the foliage in upright, 8- to 16 inches-tall spikes.
- Open growth to 518 feet high, 310 feet wide.
- Branch tips, buds, and new growth are shaded with velvety hairs in orange and bronze red.
- Velvety, 3- to 6 inches-long, rich green leaves are often edged red; older leaves add attractive touches of red, orange, or yellow, especially in winter.
- Clusters of brilliant royal purple, 3- to 5 inches-wide flowers.
- Protect from strong winds.
- Athens Blue is a more compact selection, with tightly branching habit.
- Leaves of 'Variegata' are broadly and irregularly edged in creamy yellow.