The Butterfly Guy: Tibouchina’s Purple Majesty

Tibouchina is a species of shrubs and small trees that includes about 300 different subspecies from Brazil. Tibouchinas tend to like protected areas with some sun and a lot of light.

It is a tender evergreen that blooms with bluish purple flowers in warmer months, which means almost all year on and off in southern Florida. Both the beautiful Tibouchina urvilleana, a small tree like plant, and the velvety-leaved Tibouchina herteromalla/grandiflora are really landscape show-stoppers because of those beautiful purple flowers.

Tibouchina heteromalla is commonly known as grandiflora, even though the guys who name plants say it really isn’t heteromalla because the flowers are smaller. But they are magnificent. So is the foliage; large rounded silvery green leaves that feel hairy to the touch and make you want to pet them.

In reality usually grandiflora means large beautiful flowers. I think this plant qualifies as a grandiflora because this plant, when blooming, is a

traffic-stopper. So for the guys who come up with floral names, take a break, close, your eyes and let it ride. The flower on this variety is so striking and it is one-of-a-kind in southern Florida gardens with its upright flower spike.

Tibouchina urvilleana is also a beautiful accent plant that can grow to 10 feet high and will catch the eyes of everyone who walks by. Be prepared for your doorbell to ring if you have one of these in your front yard. Fertilize three times a year. All blooming plants need to be helped along. Use granular fertilizer in spring, summer and fall and supplement with liquid fertilizer thoughtout the year, if necessary.

Like most plants Tibouchina does not like to sit in water. As a rule of thumb, ask the nursery what kind of light the plant you are about to purchase has had. It should always do well in that same light. Remember, Florida is a totally different planet when it comes to plants. I’ve always said the plants do not follow the program. They bloom when they want, but that’s Ok. That’s why gardening in Florida is always a surprise and always fun.

Tibouchina should be pruned after blooming to maintain a compact shape. Keep it in a protected area away from strong winds. It will make a great container plant and also an understory plant.With all the hybridizing going on, you never know what’s next. They have just come out with a white flower variety and, recently, a light blue flower, which is just outstanding.
Remember to help save the monarch butterfly plant milkweed and keep butterflying!

Mike Malloy, known as Naples' “butterfly guy” sells host and nectar plants for butterflies as well as tropical plants  at the Third Street South farmer’s market every Saturday morning