Macro image of a Tibouchina urvilleana flower, in the Tropical Greenhouse at Walmer Castle Gardens

• Contributor: John Gaffen / Alamy Stock Photo
• Image ID: 2CJNAKF
• File size: 48.8 MB (1.6 MB Compressed download)
• Releases: Model - no | Property - no
• Dimensions: 4688 x 3639 px | 39.7 x 30.8 cm | 15.6 x 12.1 inches | 300dpi
• Date taken: 30 August 2020
• Location: Walmer Castle and Gardens, Walmer, Kent

More information

Tibouchina urvilleana is a species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to Brazil. Growing to 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall by 2–3 m (7–10 ft) wide, it is a sprawling evergreen shrub with longitudinally veined, dark green hairy leaves. Clusters of brilliant purple flowers up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with black stamens, are borne throughout summer and autumn. With a minimum temperature of 3 °C (37 °F), it requires some winter protection, and in temperate areas is often grown in a conservatory. However, it can also be grown outside in a sunny, sheltered spot. Plants are best grown in acidic and well-drained soils and spread by suckers. It can be trained as a vine and grown on a trellis.