Tropicals - Brazilian Glory Flower (Tibouchina)
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  (August) I have a plant that I purchased at a nursery that I can't identify. The plant stands about 2 and l/2 feet tall, the leaves are pointed and about 2 inches long, not closely spaced and they are hairy (soft fuzzy), the very bottom leaves look like they want to turn almost a red color, the bloom is about 3 inches in diameter and is deep purple, I believe it has about 5 petals. Any ideas what this might be? Also, the stems appear to be somewhat "woody".

  I think your purple plant is Tibouchina. It has almost velvety purple blossoms, with very fuzzy leaves. It is commonly called Brazilian glory flower. It is an interesting plant, and as far north as you are, I would overwinter it inside. There are some species supposedly hardy in south Arkansas, but mine have never survived.

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