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: romantic 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 my nature goes counter to the training I received, and I rarely purchase a plant because I have a specific spot in mind for where the plant should reside. Instead, I buy plants I think look really cool and then, try to figure out where I should put them! Alas, I have about 10 shrubs lined up near our driveway waiting to figure out their new space!

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 scorching sun for only a few hours, but is shady in the early morning and late afternoon. 

Finally I decided that I would plant the Princess in a pot! She could live anywhere she is happiest! So, that's what I did. 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: