Tibouchina Pruning Times Prune back overgrown shrubs and trim any damaged or dead twigs and branches. ... If you're taking container plants indoors for the winter, cut back to reduce the size of the shrub, then place it in a sunny, south-facing window where it receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily.

Can you hard prune tibouchina?

To maintain a dense shape, lightly prune tibouchinas after flowering or in early spring. Rejuvenate old, woody plants by giving them a hard prune in early spring to encourage new growth.

Should I cut back my tibouchina?

Tibouchinas (Tibouchina sp.) should be pruned after flowering or whenever necessary to promote dense, bushy growth. The plant shown in our segment was looking spindly and ugly, so Don pruned it back severely. He started by removing all the dead and dying wood.

Will tibouchina come back every year?

Also known as glory bush or princess flower, tibouchina can be started and grown year-round for those flower fans that do not live in the proper climate to host the plant outdoors.

How do I take care of my tibouchina?

Water the tibouchina regularly to keep the growing area moist but not flooded. Water the plant several times per week during bouts of dry, hot weather. Water the plant once per week during winters that are moist. Do not keep the planting area flooded with water, as the tibouchina can develop root rot.

Pruning Tibouchina

How do I care for my tibouchina Bush?

Keep the soil moist but not dripping wet. Princess flowers tolerate more moisture, but they also thrive with weekly watering and moist-to-wet soil. Mulch all the plants with an organic, rich mulch to give them nutrients and help keep the soil moist.

Why are my Tibouchina leaves turning yellow?

It is not unusual for Tibouchina leaves to look a little yellow/orange at this time of the year. We have just gone through a cold winter and these plants do like to grow in a warm environment. ... You can apply the product over the leaves and into the soil via a watering can.

Why is my Tibouchina dying?

Tibouchinas enjoy a well drained acidic type soil. It could be that the pH of your soil is too high and this can cause leaf burn at the edges of the leaf. ... Tibouchinas enjoy an even moist soil and don't like to dry out, so regular watering is essential.

How big does Tibouchina grow?

Tibouchina are flashy tree-shaped shrubs that bloom abundantly in late summer and autumn They can grow up to 8 m tall and have stunning flowers in colours ranging from purple, mauve, pink or white which can be up to 10 cm across. Tibouchinas have tropical origins so they must be grown in frost free conditions.

How do you overwinter tibouchina?

Once the plant's foliage is completely dry, move it to an indoor spot that gets at least five hours of bright light every day and stays at about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A spot near a south- or west-facing window is ideal as long as it's not subject to cold winter drafts.

Are tibouchina roots invasive?

Tibouchina easily occupies new areas (especially pastures and wastelands) and prevents growth of native plant species. It is classified as invasive in Hawaii. People cultivate tibouchina mostly in ornamental purposes.

Is tibouchina frost hardy?

Tibouchina 'Groovy baby' – Purple flowers. The most compact variety, grows to 45cm H. Its hardiness makes them suitable to grow in cooler climates. Protect from heavy frosts though.

What do I feed my tibouchina?

Apply 3 to 6 tablespoons of a granular, slow-release, balanced fertilizer, such as a 14-14-14 or 15-15-15 formula, around a tibouchina plant that is in the ground. Scratch the fertilizer into the soil's top 1 to 3 inches. Water the soil thoroughly. Fertilizer degrades at different rates, depending on the temperature.

Can you transplant Tibouchina?

You can certainly transplant at this time of the year now that it is Autumn. If your Tibouchina has finished flowering you can transplant. Depending upon how tall your Tichouchina is, you may have to prune slightly to make it more manageable to move.

Do bees like Tibouchina?

Have you noticed the deep dark purple tree Tibouchina in flower right now? These beautiful blooms being purple with pronounced anthers do attract native bees. The Tibouchina cultivar 'Jules' is a good low shrub with showy flowers.

How big does a dwarf Tibouchina get?

Dwarf tibouchina is related to the Tibouchina urvilleana, which grows much larger than the dwarf. It belongs within the family Melastomataceae. The plant averages up to 6 inches in height and spreads up to 18 inches. It forms into a dense mat, with a moderately fast growth rate.

How cold can tibouchina tolerate?

It is hardy to temperatures as low as 27 degrees Fahrenheit, says San Marcos Growers. Gardeners in zone 9A, which may experience temperatures drops as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, may see some frost damage or dieback.

What trees are OK to plant near house?

These include willow trees, poplars, cottonwoods, aspens, silver maples, Norway maples, and American elm trees, among others. Smaller trees with shallow roots, however, pose little risk to your home. Japanese maple trees, for instance, are safe to plant relatively close to your house.

What's a good tree to plant close to the house?

1. Paper Birch. The paper birch is a fast-growing shade tree. ...
2. Tulip Poplar. Tulip poplars are considered one of the tallest and best shade trees for close to a house. ...
3. Dawn Redwood. ...
4. Weeping Willow. ...
5. American Plane Tree. ...
6. Hackberry. ...
7. Silver Maple. ...
8. American Sweetgum.

How do you overwinter a princess flower?

Keep the room temperature between 55 and 70 degrees F. Water it thoroughly with room-temperature water when the top of the potting mix is dry. Do not give it any fertilizer until spring. The pruned-and-potted princess flower can also be stored in a cool, dark basement where it will go dormant until spring.

How do you propagate Princess plants?

Cut 4-inch lengths of stem with sharp hand pruners in the morning, making the cut just below a leaf node. Cut the leaves off of the bottom 2 inches of stem, dip the bottom of the stem into rooting hormone, and plant it in the container. Cut the bottom out of a 2-liter pop bottle, and place it over the cuttings.