Tibouchinas are time markers within the gardening calendar. You know summer is drawing to an end when these magnificent plants start to bloom. Known also by their old name of lasiandra, they’re attractive evergreen shrubs that provide quiet background texture all year. Then, just as February blurs into March, tibouchinas burst into clouds of royal purple.

Originating mainly in tropical South America, tibouchinas thrive within a wide range of Australian locations, from the south, in Victoria, to as far north as Cairns. While they don’t like the climatic extremes of cold mountain areas or hot inland zones, they’ll thrive in any warm, frost-free climate and require remarkably little care or attention.
Tibouchinas come in a variety of sizes, from dwarf shrubs to larger hedging plants and small trees. They can be grown in gardens and courtyards, on balconies and even sheltered roof gardens, so they’re a versatile addition to a variety of landscape styles. The five-petalled blooms are open and flat, with prominent stamens that reach out from the centre. Along with the predominant shade of purple, you’ll also find varieties with pink or white flowers.

Several wonderful tibouchina cultivars originated in Alstonville, New South Wales, where the annual tibouchina festival was once held. These and other magnificent tibouchina varieties flourish in gardens around Australia.

Types of tibouchina
There are three well-known tibouchina varieties that have been popular for many years, but in more recent times, other newer cultivars have been introduced. While these stunning plants are in bloom, why not take a wander into your local nursery and choose a variety that’s the right size and colour for your space.

Three of the best:

• Tibouchina granulosa grows to a small tree if left unpruned. It bears masses of violet-purple flowers from late summer through autumn. ‘Kathleen’ bears pink flowers. Grows to about 7m.
• Tibouchina lepidota ‘Alstonville’ can be a large shrub or small tree and features purple flowers from autumn to winter. It was bred in Alstonville in New South Wales. Grows to 5-7m.
• Tibouchina ‘Jules’ is a dwarf shrub that bears purple flowers. Grows to 1m.

Other cultivars include:

• ‘Noelene’ is a medium shrub with terminal white flowers that fade to pinky mauve. Bred from T. mutabilis, the name comes from its mutating flowers. Grows to 4m.
• ‘Totally Moonstruck’ is a small to medium shrub that bears white blooms. Grows to about 1.5m.
• ‘Carol-Lyn’ bears deep purple flowers and white stamens. It’s also sold under the name of ‘Jazzie’. This cultivar’s peak flowering period is autumn, and it also spot-flowers throughout the year. Grows to about 1.5m tall and 1m wide.

How to grow this plant
Location: If you live in a warm, frost-free location you have the best climate for small tibouchina trees and shrubs. Pick a sunny spot and grow them as a specimen plant, hedging backdrop or garden room divider. Tibouchinas are fairly hardy and tolerant but don’t like windy spots, so a protected position is best.

Care: For optimum growth, give plants a loamy, slightly acidic soil. Before planting, dig organic matter into the soil – compost and aged manure are ideal. Give them good drainage and spread a layer of mulch around the base in summer to retain moisture around the root zone. Apply a dose of slow-release fertiliser in spring, and again in autumn, to keep them flourishing.

Containers: For small spaces, grow tibouchinas in pots. The dwarf or lower-growing varieties suit containers best. But if you have a large pot or trough, look at growing ‘Alstonville’ as a small tree, keeping it pruned. Water your tibouchina well, allowing the plant to dry out in between waterings, and it will flourish. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser for pots and apply a dose or two of soluble fertiliser when in bloom.

Pruning: To encourage bushy foliage, give plants an annual, light pruning in late winter, before the onset of new growth. Also, a little tidying up of congested, old or unwanted branches or stems is always a good idea. As with any garden plant,
a little rejuvenation goes a long way.

Photo by Chris Jones