Princess flower

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; afternoon shade helps in very hot inland gardens. Shelter from strong wind.

Water

Keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water established plants during dry spells, and check containers frequently in warm weather.

Soil

Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic. Avoid chalky soil and heavy ground that stays wet.

Height

6-15 ft (1.8-4.6 m)

Spread

6-10 ft (1.8-3 m)

Flowers

Large violet-purple flowers with prominent curved stamens, mainly from late spring through autumn; flowering may continue intermittently in frost-free climates.

Foliage

Evergreen. Opposite, oval to lance-shaped green leaves with a velvety surface and conspicuous lengthwise veins.

Growth

Moderate to fast in warm conditions

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Needs looking after

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   4 ft (1.2 m)

3. After 2 years

   6 ft (1.9 m)

4. After 3 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   10 ft (3.2 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Invasive in

the US and Australia

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply when the soil surface begins to dry; do not leave container plants standing in water.
• Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring, following the label rate; feed container plants lightly during active growth.
• Mulch the root area with composted bark or leaf mould, keeping mulch clear of the stems.
• Pinch young shoot tips to encourage a fuller, less leggy shrub.
• Move containers under cover before frost and keep them bright, ideally above 5-10°C; water less in winter without letting the root ball dry out.

Pruning. In spring, once frost risk has passed and new growth begins, remove dead or damaged wood and shorten long shoots to shape the shrub. Avoid heavy autumn pruning in cooler climates, where tender regrowth can be damaged by cold.

Spring

Prune damaged or straggly growth as active growth resumes, then apply fertiliser.

Late spring

Plant outdoors or move overwintered containers outside once frost risk has passed, acclimatising them gradually to stronger sunlight.

Summer

Check soil moisture regularly and water thoroughly during dry weather.

Summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Autumn

Move container plants into bright, frost-free shelter before nights become cold.

Winter

Reduce watering under cover and check leaves and stems for mites, whitefly and scale.

• Use as a flowering specimen beside a sheltered terrace, allowing room for its spreading branches.
• Grow in a large patio container where winter protection is available.
• Place behind lower ferns and shade-tolerant foliage plants in a warm, lightly shaded border.
• Combine with white flowers and silver foliage to emphasise the violet blooms.

Garden styles it suits: Tropical, Modern tropical, Modern courtyard, Luxury resort, Cottage garden and Blues and silvers.

Plant it with: Agapanthus, Camellia, Azalea, Cast-iron plant, Bird's nest fern and White gaura.

Wildlife: The pollen-rich flowers attract bees capable of buzz pollination. It is an ornamental introduction, not a substitute for locally native habitat plants.

• Frost damage: leaves and shoots blacken after freezing weather; protect containers before frost and wait until spring growth starts before cutting back damaged wood.
• Root rot: persistently wet soil causes wilting and decline; improve drainage and never leave pots standing in water.
• Iron chlorosis: young leaves turn yellow between green veins in alkaline conditions; use a suitable acidic growing medium and apply chelated iron if needed.
• Spider mites, whitefly or scale: inspect leaf undersides and stems, especially under cover; wash off light infestations and use a labelled insecticidal soap or horticultural oil where appropriate.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific toxicity information is limited. No part is intended for eating; discourage pets and children from chewing the plant.

Where it spreads. Reported as invasive in Hawaii and as an environmental weed in parts of south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. Branches can root where they touch the ground; check local guidance before planting and dispose of prunings responsibly.

• Purple glory tree (Pleroma granulosum)

  Usually develops into a larger, more distinctly tree-shaped plant, with rougher, less velvety leaves and flowers carried in conspicuous terminal clusters.

• Silverleaf glory bush (Pleroma heteromallum)

  Has much broader, often heart-based leaves with densely pale-hairy undersides, and purple flowers arranged in upright, branched clusters above the foliage.

The species name honours the French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and root them in a free-draining propagation mix with warmth and high humidity. Low branches can also be layered.

Accepted botanical name

Pleroma urvilleanum

Native range

Brazil South and Brazil Southeast.

Measured

Average height 350 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.