Exposure as a factor when growing Tibouchina

Question from  Shannon:
I just bought your book tonight and then I stumbled upon your website. As for my sad Tibouchinas, I guess I have to accept that they are not made for our climate or our water concerns. I saw them everywhere around LA, so I just assumed they were native or at least friendly. (I am very new to gardening and am learning some things the hard way.) Too bad, because it’s such a gorgeous plant.

Anyway, I am so looking forward to reading your book and exploring the site as I look for ways to add more practical, sustainable beauty to my Southern California yard. (That’s a fancy way of saying “stuff I can’t easily kill.”)

Thank you again for taking the time to help me with my poor misplaced Brazilian plants.

Answer from Pat:
Good luck with your garden and glad you got my book! Last night after writing you I had another thought. Sometimes when folks say, “I can’t grow such and such but there’s a lovely one across the street,” it’s all because of exposure. Usually the house where whatever plant it is grows fine faces east and the person who can’t grow the specific plant lives in the house across the street that faces west. West-facing is a difficult exposure for some plants because they are cool and comfortable all morning and then fry in the afternoon.