Princess Flower arrives from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil bearing some of the most saturated color in the garden palette. The blooms are a saturated purple-lavender that reads almost jewel-like in afternoon light, carried in terminal clusters on a plant that can reach 6 to 8 feet tall and eventually taller in frost-free climates. The leaves are correspondingly bold: 4 to 6 inches of dark green, felted surface with lighter undersides and prominent ribbing.

In zones 9 and warmer, it is a true shrub that can be trained into a small tree form for use as a patio specimen or courtyard focal point. Elsewhere, it makes a commanding container plant that overwinters well in a bright greenhouse or south-facing window. Plant in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil and offer some afternoon shade in regions with brutal summer heat. Once established it tolerates moderate drought, but keeping the soil consistently moist extends the bloom season well into fall.