What is the mature size of Tibouchina Urvilleana?

I'm doing research on whether to buy tibouchina urvilleana or not and I noticed that the mature size varies by as much as 9 or 10 feet depending on which website you visit! This is even among Dave's listed suppliers. I find that the lack of good, consistent information from professional growers to be confusing and frustrating. I would like to purchase the tall variety. Can someone please direct me?

As long as you get the straight species it would grow tall given the right conditions. However...I don't think they will be hardy in your climate which means you will either need to keep it in a pot which will limit its size, or if you plant it in the ground and it does somehow manage to survive the winter it'll likely die back quite a bit and therefore never reach its full height potential. The 'Athens Blue' cultivar is supposed to be a little hardier, but I think it's also more compact.

Yeah, I've seemed to have taken a liking to plants that don't do well in my zone. But why let that stop me?! I'm stubborn and persistent. I've obtained Urvillana and grandiflora. They are growing next to my mangoes and echiums. All in pots. Maybe I just need to move to California.

Moving to CA won't help, you'll still try to grow things that don't like your climate. I moved here from OH so you would think I'd be happy with the range of things I can grow now, but I have a greenhouse full of stuff that's too tropical to survive here.

Yeah, ecrane3, you are probably right. Hawaii is probably my only option. The Tibouchina is considered invasive and unwanted. Such a beautiful plant.

I live in Missouri and just purchased a Tibouchina. It is in a pot on my front porch. I love it and it is doing quite well, hoping I can overwinter it like a normal houseplant that needs a lot of sun. Planning on sitting it next to my Southern exposure window and hoping for the best. How is yours doing?

Was doing fine. I have two t. Grandiflolias overwintering indoors (in west facing windows) and one t. Urvilliana (south facing window). The leaves dry out quickly due to very low humidity in my home (gas heat). They all briefly flowered this winter but not fully. They are struggling. Can't wait to get them back outside this spring.

the ones here grow into a nice contained shrub 10ft or less i'd say with the pruning and periods of cold. it seems hardy. the nursery had 3 and a lady pre-ordered all 3 - i was so upset haha!

i think the other kind with the fuzzy silvery leaves appears more hardy.

interesting thread!

This message was edited Dec 29, 2012 9:29 PM