Princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana)
The Tibetan urvilleana, or Princess flower, is a tropical evergreen shrub featuring spectacular rose-purple blooms and low maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Princess flower, officially known as Tibouchina urvilleana, is a stunning broadleaf evergreen highly prized for its dramatic, large, rose-purple blooms that appear throughout the summer season. Native to the rainforests of Brazil, this tropical shrub brings vibrant color and an exotic feel to warmer climates. Its dense, rounded habit makes it a significant focal point, capable of growing up to 8 feet tall in many landscapes.
Tibouchina urvilleana is relatively easy to incorporate into the garden as it is listed as low maintenance, provided its preferred growing conditions are met. Gardeners appreciate this plant for its spectacular full bloom display, but it also offers year-round evergreen foliage, which is notable for its prominent longitudinal veins.
This plant thrives where winters are mild, offering an outstanding tropical presence in USDA Zones 9 through 11. When sited correctly in full sun and given consistently moist soil, the Tibouchina urvilleana provides maximum impact with minimal fuss, easily earning its common name, Princess flower.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Melastomataceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: South America
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-8 ft
- Spread: 6-8 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Rose purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal establishment, plant Tibouchina urvilleana during warmer periods, ensuring the soil is moist, acidic, organically rich, fertile, and crucially, well-drained. While it prefers full sun, gardeners in extremely hot climates should provide some afternoon shade to prevent scorching. Shelter the plant from harsh, strong winds, as its branches can be somewhat brittle.
Watering requirements are medium to wet; aim to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering periods. Mulching is highly recommended to help keep the root zone cool during summer heat. Since this shrub can spread via suckers, be prepared to manage its footprint in the garden.
Pruning should be light, performed immediately after the main flowering cycle concludes, primarily to control any unwanted legginess or to shape the dense form. In cooler regions (Zone 8), the plant may suffer significant dieback, but often recovers from the roots; these plants are best managed in containers that can be moved indoors before the first fall frost.
Landscape Uses
The Princess flower is highly versatile where winter hardy. It functions excellently as an outstanding flowering shrub planted in accent groupings or as a specimen plant to anchor a border design. Because Tibouchina urvilleana can be trained, it offers vertical interest when encouraged to climb an arbor or trellis, functioning almost as a vine.
For gardeners looking for year-round structure, this evergreen retains its foliage, providing necessary visual weight during off-seasons. Container culture is another popular method, particularly for gardeners outside zones 9-11; these potted displays can be moved to patios or decks during summer, providing portable tropical splendor.
When used as a naturalized feature, allow the shrub ample room to meet its full 6 to 8-foot spread, letting its cascading blooms create a show-stopping effect. Its vivid purple flowers stand out beautifully against coarse green textures or contrasting pale stonework.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tibouchina urvilleana, commonly called princess flower or glory bush, is a large, dense, rounded-but-sprawling, tropical shrub that typically grows to 6-8’ tall, but may reach 15’ in optimum growing conditions. It can be trained as a small tree or even as a vine for growing on an arbor or trellis, highlighting its flexibility in the landscape. Look for its distinctive rose-purple flowers, up to 4 inches in diameter, which bloom singly or in clusters during summer, offering a truly spectacular display.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
Scale and mealybugs are potential pests that may occasionally afflict Tibouchina urvilleana in the garden or on indoor container specimens, where spider mites are also a risk. The most significant cultural danger stems from inadequate drainage; overly moist, water-logged soils can quickly lead to fatal root rot. Ensuring excellent drainage, even when meeting its medium-to-wet water needs, is paramount for long-term health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Princess flower suitable for?
The Tibouchina urvilleana is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11. In Zone 8, it may die back to the ground but often regrows vigorously from the roots in spring.
How large does Princess flower grow?
This lush, sprawling shrub typically matures between 6 and 8 feet in height and spread, though it can reach up to 15 feet under ideal tropical conditions.
What sun exposure does Princess flower need?
The Tibouchina urvilleana requires full sun exposure for best flowering performance, though protection from intense afternoon heat by providing light shade can benefit the plant in very hot summer climates.
When does Princess flower bloom?
This plant is classified as a seasonal bloomer, producing its signature rose-purple flowers in summer; however, in tropical environments, sporadic blooming can occur throughout the year.
Conclusion
The vibrant, low-maintenance nature of the Tibouchina urvilleana makes the Princess flower a must-have for warm coastal or subtropical gardens seeking high-impact tropical aesthetics. Its stunning rose-purple flowers offer unparalleled color contrast against its deep green foliage. Before planting, ensure your site offers the necessary heat and moisture to allow this magnificent shrub to thrive.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for your Tibouchina urvilleana, prioritize plants that share its preference for moist, acidic soils and full sun exposure. Excellent partners include Hydrangeas, gardenias, azaleas, and rhododendrons, all of which thrive in similar conditions and provide complementary textures. Planting low-growing, acid-loving annuals beneath the canopy of the spreading Tibouchina urvilleana can also help shade the roots, mimicking its native rainforest floor environment.
Container Growing Tips
For patios or regions outside the standard hardiness range, growing the Princess flower in containers is a viable, rewarding strategy. Use a large pot to accommodate its substantial root system and select a high-quality, fertile potting mix amended with organic matter to ensure good drainage. Keep the soil consistently moist during the active growing phase, remembering that containers dry out much faster than in-ground situations. In fall, watch for frost; the entire container must be moved indoors to a cool, bright location well before the first freezing temperatures arrive.
