It’s officially Autumn today – March 1st. It’s also 27 degrees in Auckland and people are getting sunburnt. So before our deciduous trees start baring all for winter, we are getting a tropical and dazzling display of purple flowers now from Tibouchina (aka Lasiandra). Alstonville is one of the taller species growing up to 4m and has been popular in the past. Now there are white and pink and smaller varieties. One of my favourites is Tibouchina grandiflora growing up to 3m tall, and in a warm spot seems to keep flowering for most of the year. Although not hardy to frosts, it does tend to recover when frost burnt and responds really well to a prune or trim after frosts have passed. If you want a small tree it should be pruned by directional pruning (Kai Gardens can do this) or if you want a shrub, trim all over to encourage bushy growth. It can be used as a small tree or shrub in a variety of landscapes, is hardy once established and will add a welcome splash of colour in the autumn months.