It's Tibouchina Time!

That's an amazing colour!

I had one of these for a number of years in my previous garden & it was a glorious sight over the dreary winter months. But then is suddenly just died. I never pruned it, so I'm wondering if that is why? Also never knew its name, so good to be able to identify it.

i thought it was a slightly tender evergreen Dwyllis is it hardy then Meanie?

Gorgeous colour

lovely! love those 'anthers'[?]

Has 12 months really gone by? Well I liked it as much this time as last Meanie!

and beautiful it is to....

Thanks all!

Dwyllis - I keep at least one cutting on the go, as I've heard similar stories to yours before.
Surreylad - it is tender, Dwyllis has the climate for it.

Tetrarch - It is probably only 11 months!!!!!!! It was a little later last year.

Ahh yes next time i'll see where they are from ! :-)

Top tip - keep an eye on Lidl in the spring. They usual have them in for one week priced at a couple of quid!

Great photo! Glad yours comes out the true royal purple color! All the trees are blooming here, too...they tend to bloom heaviest from Summer through Winter (they rest in spring).

It's a bugger of a colour to catch isn't it!

It sure is...and it drives me nuts!

I have to fiddle with my cameras settings a few times before it's right - and the light conditions always seem exaggerated with this colour too.

Meanie:

These digital cameras have so many setting; it's not funny!

I know the white balance and the purple setting is off...and I haven't fixed it yet. :>)

Downright confusing at times!

YES!

Re: The Lidl tip they have Heuchera's priced at Two for three Quid in ours and a beaut of a Hebe at £4.50

It's always worth a look in there.........

Meanie have just bought one of these plants, it needs re-potting what compost should we use? it has some flowers coming already, also need to know how to take cuttings please, was so pleased, it was in an open garden, and he let us have it for £4.00 it is over two ft tall....

I just used an airy mix based around ordinary multi-purpose compost.

As far as cuttings go, I shoved young growth into the same mix. It did need bottom heat though to take.

Wherever possible use rain water as opposed to tap water as our tap water left calcium deposits that seeped through the leaves. Never allow it to dry out when in bud.

Enjoy - it's a gem!

Thanks for your prompt reply, no intentions of buying one of these, but saw one a few weeks ago and was so taken with it, especially the colour!! I could not resist it, one lady had one in her conservatory that was about 8ft tall!! also saw and tried a Physalis obviously the edible kind, have you tried growing them?

One of those plants that just gets you DD!

I can well imagine......I think you and one other are the only ones growing it?

And you've joined the club too DD!

Mine is not looking good this year - it has been rather neglected. That will be addressed next year though when I'll hopefully be on top of the new garden.

It does take time to get a new garden up and running, we have been at it for 12 years and still not happy with some of it lol

It will take all those twelve years to get rid of the forget me nots and Primroses here DD!

Not quite as bad as Japanese knotweed and that very large Carex Pendula!!

Not that bad!