Tibouchina uvilliana

[roitelet]

No it's not some nasty dsease! It's a half hardy shrub with hairy sage green leaves, red caylaxes and fantastic deep blue flowers and I think it is evergreen.

I bought one last year, it got caught by frost and died back so I took it inside. It then managed to produce 4 new shots grom the base in the spring. They look healthy enough but have not grown much and it hasnt flowered dispite being in the ground all summer. It is now potted up and in the house but it doesn't seem to like it much because it is beginning to drop its leaves . Can anyone tell me the best way to over winter it please. I don't have a greenhouse.

All contributions gratefully received, thanks

[nick the grief]

I guess the trouble is it's too warm & dry in the house. Can you stand it up against a south facing wall & cover it in fleece if needed?

[roitelet]

Thanks Nick, I will stop coddling it but think that I will have to keep it in during the worst of the weather, if we get any. Would an unheated room do?

[Earthbabe]

Roitelet does it have a common name?

[nick the grief]

Have a look here this may throw some light on it (if you pardon the phrase)

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plan...maudhiana.html

[roitelet]

Sorry Earthbabe, no common name that I know of. I bought it on impulse because the flower was such a fantastic colour.

[roitelet]

Just looked on the site that Nick suggested and common names seem to be Princess flower or Glory flower.

Thanks for the info. Nick I will just have to try and keep it alive!!!!!!!!!!!!