Pleroma urvilleanum aka Lasiandra

Pleroma urvilleanum is an evergreen shrub in the Melastomataceae family. Gardeners also know it as princess flower or glory bush. Its older name is Tibouchina urvilleana. It comes from Brazil, from São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul. The shrub grows upright, then forms a dense, rounded crown. Loose branches can give it a sprawling shape.

Garden plants often reach 6–8 feet [1.8–2.4 metres] tall. They may spread to 8 feet [2.4 metres] wide. Some sources report plants reaching 15–20 feet [4.6–6.1 metres] in warm areas. Young shoots may have a red tint and soft hairs. The branches can snap, so plants need shelter from strong winds. Bark ranges from green or tan to brown. Opposite leaves have soft hairs and a dark green upper surface. Their undersides are paler, and long veins curve along each blade. The leaves stay green through winter where the climate allows.

Purple flowers grow in panicles at the branch tips. Each flower has five petals and long, dark stamens. Their broad, open shape stands out above the leaves. The bloom season runs from spring through autumn in many gardens. In warm, frost-free areas, some flowers open throughout the year. Small capsules follow the flowers and turn brown as they mature. Each capsule has five parts and a dry outer wall. The fruit adds little to the display.

Full sun gives the best bloom, though plants tolerate part shade. In hot summers, some shade after midday suits them. They prefer moist, rich soil that drains well. Several sources favour acid soil, though RHS lists wider pH tolerance. Established plants can cope with drought, but regular water supports growth. Most sources place outdoor hardiness in USDA zones 9–11. Chicago Botanic Garden extends this range to zone 12. RHS rates it H2, meaning it cannot survive freezing. Plants may regrow from their roots after winter dieback in zone 8.

Growers use it in borders, small groups, and patio pots. Training can turn it into a small tree or espalier. Pots can spend winter indoors where frost makes outdoor growth unsafe. Pruning helps keep its shape and limits spread from suckers. Scale, mealybugs, aphids, whitefly, mites, and nematodes can cause trouble. Soil that stays too wet can cause root rot. Plants under glass may also develop oedema. It forms thickets in Hawaii and appears on its noxious weed list. UF/IFAS also classifies it as invasive.