PUSHING THE BORDERS

A number of us local to Cornwall were shown around Fox Rosehill gardens and nursery a few weeks ago by the Head Gardener, Matt Stannard. I think most of us were given young Tibouchina plants that Matt had propagated from cuttings, he told us they would produce white flowers. If I remember correctly, we saw the parent plant which at the time hadn't started flowering.
It has now.




Am I correct in thinking that it is Tibouchina lepidota 'Alba'?

OK, here goes.

Tibouchina lepidota became Andesanthus lepidotus and has a different stamen disposition compared to the Tibouchina that became Pleroma.

The 'white one from Fox Rosehill' has stamens arranged like the Tibouchina that became Pleroma. And note that the stamen filaments are clearly pink.

Separately, and without collusion, two of us thought it might be the complex Australian hybrid being sold as Tibouchina 'Peace Baby'. In 'modern' taxonomy that would be Pleroma 'Peace Baby'.

As supporting evidence, 'Peace Baby' is sold by Cross Common Nursery, which I think Matt said was the source of his plant. It is covered by Plant Breeder Rights, so can't be propagated for sale without paying royalties.

Everything fits apart from the reported size of the mature plant.

Chad

Thanks Chad, can you elaborate on your statement below please

Chad wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 3:19 pm
Everything fits apart from the reported size of the mature plant.

Chad

'Peace Baby' is only supposed to grow to 60cm tall.

Matt's plant was considerably taller.

Chad

Thanks again, as you say, Matt's plant is taller that 60cm, closer to 150cm.

Saw this on Madeira a few years back and posted about it (may have been on GOTE) thought I would liberate some cuttings the following year but it had gone! Michael who gardens for the boss next door had done cuttings but his were too small to raid! he was not finding it as easy as the normal forms we are familiar with.

I lost interest in it once Chad had told me it PBR on it!! :)

Very nice. I might have a spot for one. The purple form tends to be gangly and easily blown over in winds.

My gifted baby Tibouchina has flowered.

Worth looking after, as Stan said its a bit less gangly than the T. urvilleana (which I think has a new name now)