Purple Philippine Violet

Purple Philippine Violet (Barleria cristata 'Purple') is a tough, branching shrub about 1m high and wide, covered in small violet purple trumpet flowers in spring and summer. The leaves are soft and green, the stems upright, and the whole plant copes with poor, dry soil. It is a quick source of colour for frost free gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Rich violet flowers. Small trumpets in violet mauve open through spring and summer, a deeper tone than its pink and white siblings.
• Fast to flower. Young plants bloom readily, which makes it useful in brand new gardens.
• Poor soil is fine. It is a coloniser of dry, disturbed ground and roadsides, so it needs little coaxing.
• Easy to shape. Light pruning improves bushiness and keeps the habit tidy.
• Sun or part shade. It flowers happily in either, so you can place it freely.

Where it works best

Cottage and mixed borders. Plant 70cm apart and let the shrubs knit into a soft mass. The violet tones pair well with white and pale pink flowers.

New and difficult gardens. Use it where soil is dry, thin or disturbed and you want colour fast.

Large pots. A tub on a sunny terrace shows off the flowers, and the pot can come indoors if frost threatens.

Growing Purple Philippine Violet in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or part shade in frost free places, which means tropical, subtropical and the mildest warm temperate gardens. It will not survive frost outdoors, so in cold regions treat it as a houseplant.

Soil. Almost any garden soil. It is at home on dry, poor ground, so avoid rich feeding that only makes soft growth.

Water and feed. Water regularly during the first 8 to 12 weeks until established, then only in extended dry spells.

Pruning. Prune lightly to shape and encourage a bushier plant. Warm climates can see it self seed, so tidy spent flowers near bushland edges.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Purple Philippine Violet as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted into warm soil. It arrives as a small plant that grows on rapidly through spring and summer. Plant it out soon after it arrives and keep it watered through its first few weeks.

The tube is supplied by our grower, so availability comes and goes. A sold out tube simply means none is ready today: press the notify button on this page and we will email you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse flowering plants
• Frost hardy alternatives for cold gardens
• Plants for subtropical climates
• How to create a cottage garden

Common questions

Can I grow Purple Philippine Violet where it frosts?

Not outdoors. It needs frost free conditions, so in cold regions keep it in a pot indoors.

How much sun does it need?

Full sun to part shade. Flowering is best with plenty of light.

How tall will it grow?

About 1m high and around, so it fits borders and large containers.