Tibouchina urvilleana ("Shikonnobotan")

Japanese name: シコンノボタン （紫紺野牡丹）
Scientific name: Tibouchina urvilleana

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub 1–3 m tall.
It is covered with soft hairs throughout.
The leaves are simple and opposite, oblong, about 10 cm long, with 5 conspicuous veins.
The leaf margins are entire.
The flowers are borne in panicles at the stem tips; they are purple, 5-petaled, and 7–10 cm across.
Each flower lasts only one day, but they open one after another.
There are 10 stamens, which are jointed.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings, which is possible at any time during the warm season and roots easily.
In the Kansai region and south, if protected from frost, the aboveground part dies back but sprouts again the following spring, so outdoor cultivation is possible.
In cold regions, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors to a sunny spot.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Avoid places that receive strong afternoon sun.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil dries out.
Take care not to let it run short of water during flowering.
Apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil from spring to autumn.
Flower buds form from summer onward, so finish pruning before summer; if pruning hard, finish in spring at the beginning of the growing season, or flowering will be delayed.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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