Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea, spp.

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Zone 9-10

Said to be from Brazil, the Bougainvillea is also highly favored in the Mediterranean region. This vine grows well in both South and Central Florida as it enjoys cooler dryer weather than you might expect

Bougainvillea is prized for its intense color with "blooms" all year. Maximum color, however, is in winter and spring when this vine is the most colorful

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Older vines produce better than younger individuals

There are many colors to choose from and there is a dwarf variety, which, unfortunately, is a typically a spotty (poor) bloomer

The color is not produced by the flowers which are very small but are enclosed by highly colored bracts which most folks think of as the flowers. The hot pink color you see in the photo are the bracts. In the open landscape, you need to closely examine a bract to see the small white flowers at the centers

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This vine is very thorny, sprawls wildly when young and produces many stems from the ground. It is very popular trained on a trellis as one would a climbing rose up north. Plant over walls, over docks, on fences or in pots with trellis

Proper pruning for control is required for pot culture. Proper pruning will also produce more color anywhere used.  Really cool is to handle Bougainvillea as a potted bonsai plant

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Bougainvilleas show their best colors in full sun

Homeowners complain about their vines but the reason is often lack of intense sun exposure frustrating full bloom appearance

Excess water is a close second reason the vine is not a showy specimen

Nutrients are also important.  A quality balanced fertilizer PLUS use of minor elements spray several times a year are the "tricks"

Wind protection is desirable. Bougainvillea does not tolerate salt well

Plant in fertile organic soil that is very well drained (you can add rocks to the hole), then fertilize lightly about 3 times a year and enjoy

Bougainvillea colors include #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 dwarf

Very old bougainvillea vines can be so large as to resemble trees.  Here is the tree-like base of this really huge bougainvillea vine