Tibouchina albo ’Elsa’

I was on my way out of Grumbles House with my wagon containing a few plants I had picked out for our yard when I spotted a beautiful lady across the way. Cue some sort of "love" music!  It was love at first sight!

I was attracted to her large, fuzzy leaves. I learned that the plant that caught my eye is called is a Princess Flower, or "Tibouchina Albo 'Elsa'".  She was only $10, so I went inside, payed for my new Princess, and trucked her out to my car to travel home with the other plants.

I violated my Master Gardener training (El Paso County, CO 2006)! Oh no! As Master Gardener trainees we were inculcated with the edict that one does not "plunk and plant". Instead, one has a landscape plan, and acquires plants according to that plan. Well, it seems our nature is counter to the training I received, and we rarely purchase a plant because we have a specific spot in mind for where the plant should reside. Instead, we buy plants we think look really cool and then, try to figure out where we should put them! Alas, we have about 10 shrubs lined up near our driveway waiting for us to figure out their final homes!

Because I didn't have a plan (as I should have) I tried to decide where to put my lovely Elsa. First, I went online to learn more about her. I cracked up that one description called my lady a "Medium growing shrub" growing to 2.5 M in height. In my ming that isn't exactly "medium"!!!

I auditioned a few spots in my back yard garden. First I tried her at the bottom of the bank on the west side of my garden. This spot gets a lot of sun, until very late in the afternoon. 

I next thought she might like a spot on the north side of the garden area. This area gets morning to scorching midday sun, but becomes shady in the afternoon. 

Finally I decided that I would plant the Princess in a pot! She could live anywhere she is happiest! So, I planted the Princess in a pot. For now, she's on the north side of the garden. If she seems like she wants more light...I can easily move her (with a little help from my hubby!)

My "Princess" is also called a Glory bush. At some point in the future she might look like this: