It's the real thing

Having just returned from a summer holiday in Florida, I was surprised how many flowers I noticed that we try and grow here in good old blighty. One plant, in particular, that stood out was tibouchina. I'd seen one or two in pots at both Gravetye Manor and Knoll gardens and always thought - 'what an eye catcher! After a year of deliberation, I was able to locate one from Great Dixter nursery.  Sadly, despite the reasonable summer weather we've enjoyed, I fear that I planted it up in a pot that was initially too big and the potting medium needing more drainage.  It's still alive (just) but having seen these beauties in Florida I'm left a little envious.