Tibouchina granulosa 'Gibraltar'

Only a few years ago, we had no variegated tibouchinas...now we have two. Tibouchina granulosa 'Gibraltar' came to the US thanks to SC plantsman Ted Stephens, who found it at a Japanese nursery. For us, Tibouchina granulosa 'Gibraltar' makes a small growing plant to 18" tall x 18" wide, composed of square woody stems and clothed with finger-sized green leaves, edged in creamy white. In late fall, the clumps are topped with terminal clusters of brilliant purple 2" wide flowers...quite a sight. In the wild, Tibouchina granulosa can reach 40' in height, but we're not turning these loose. In cold winter climates, it makes a superb 18" tall summer container specimen.