Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis)
Other Names - Paper Flower.
Origins - S. America
Type - Perennial vine (evergreen, in tropical location)
Perennial (deciduous, in dry seasons).
Hardiness (see References, below) - Zones 9 -11.
Bloom - Repeatedly, every 4 - 6 weeks.
Height
Approx. 3 - 30 ft (1 -10 m).
Cultivation - Easy to cultivate plant, in most warm climates. Full exposure to Sun, best. Fertilize regularly, but do not over water. Bougainvilleas adapt well to coastal
conditions. In colder climates, grow in containers. Best are 5 - 10 gallon sized, containers. Water container grown plant, only after soil's dry. Consistently wet soil will make it loose its foliage, and kill it, eventually. Prune regularly for compact shape.
Propagation By air layering, by cuttings.
Other - Discovered by French
botanist, Dr Philibert Commerçon, who named it after admiral Louis-Antoine, comte de Bougainville. This cosmopolitan, tropics loving plant, makes spectacular sites, all around the world, these days. If you are lucky to be able to grow it outdoors, consider letting it grow over an arbor. It will enjoy the Sun, and you will savour the shade underneath. Container grown Bougainvilleas, make excellent Bonzai plants.
Interesting cultivars include:
Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Barbara Karst' (fast growth, will grow back after frost damage), Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Rosenka' (dwarf variety), Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Texas Dawn' (pink, large clusters), Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Jamaica White' (white with green veins), Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Tahitian Dawn' (multicolored).
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References - Find more about Hardiness Zones
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Town & Country Gardens Contributors: AgriLife Extension, Andrew Cohen, blogger, bulabean, dive-angel (Karin), Ezine, flickr, Jasmine&Roses, JIGGS IMAGES, macropoulos, MuzPics Photography, Rita Crane Photography. Rita Crane, daughter of LIFE magazine photographer Ralph Crane. Her work can be seen on Flickr at Rita Crane Photography or on her website., TMR Davies, Wikipedia, W.D. Williams
