Tibouchina ‘Blue Moon’

[David F]

My understanding is that all Tibouchina/Pleroma are ‘buzz’ obligate pollinated and it doesn’t just happen by itself without the proper pollinating insects in habitat. The Australian hybridizers have cracked that issue, there aren’t any hybridizers working with Tibouchina here in the USA that I’m aware of. Unfortunately California is just a bit too cool in winter to suit some of the more spectacular species like T. mutabilis and T. granulosa(which I’m trialing again because at $20 for a 5 gallon shrub it was too good a deal to pass up), but while it looks okay at the moment, I’m not sure whether it will still be alive by March. It has also had new foliage continuously eaten by Light Brown Apple Moth caterpillars from Australia, a widespread pest here in all of coastal California.

[RobSta]

David, thanks for your observations regarding the cold tolerances of 'Blue Moon'. That's very useful to know.