We have previously posted on the beautiful Tibouchina’s growing in many of the village gardens, but it is hard not to mention the current spectacle of the Tibouchina Chameleon in gardens along Mount Spec Road.
The Venn’s large shrub at the eastern end of the village is a show-stopper and I saw many visitors stopping to photograph it over last weekend – just as I did!. It seems just about every second garden has a ‘Chameleon’ and why not, when they thrive with very little care in our mountain climate. Other good specimens are located towards the central and western end of the village at Nick and Glenda’s place and at Neil and Jennies at Cloud Cottage.
Tibouchina Chameleon is a dense and fast growing evergreen shrub. At Paluma it seems to flower at least twice a year. The flowers open white in colour and then change to mauve and pink as they age over several days. If you are looking for a hardy, colourful and rather special plant for your garden, you can’t go past one of these beauties.
Text & Photos by Michele Bird
Thanks for the photos Michele. We were lucky enough to see it starting to flower before going away for a few days. It really is a spectacular shrub/ small tree for Paluma gardens, given enough sun.
Linda