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Lesser Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
boo-gun-VEEL-ee-uh GLAY-bruh
Description

Bougainvillea is often grown as an annual or container plant. The actual flower is small and insignificant, it is the colorful bracts, or modified leaves, which can be seen in all shades of pink, purple, and red that attract attention. Bougainvillea is best suited to a hot, dry climate and should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out between waterings. Once established, they are drought resistant.  It is a woody climber with curved thorns that sprawls and needs to be tied or have a structure such as a  fence, wall, or pergola for support. 

Lesser Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) has distinctly 5-angled (pentagonal) floral tubes and short floral bracts and is distinguished from Great Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) which has rounded floral tubes and longer floral bracts but they are otherwise very similar. 

 

 

More information on Bougainvillea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#salt tolerant#espalier#fast growing#wind tolerant#trellises#cascading#cream flowers#bracts#white bracts#orange bracts#pink bracts#acidic soils tolerant#garden walls#dry soils tolerant#vine#remontant#arbor#tropical#container plant#annual#fence
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#salt tolerant#espalier#fast growing#wind tolerant#trellises#cascading#cream flowers#bracts#white bracts#orange bracts#pink bracts#acidic soils tolerant#garden walls#dry soils tolerant#vine#remontant#arbor#tropical#container plant#annual#fence
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Bougainvillea
    Species:
    glabra
    Family:
    Nyctaginaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    It is used as a botanical insecticide. In Mexico, an infusion is used to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory problems.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    native to Brazil and Peru
    Distribution:
    naturalized in Hawaii and parts of Texas and Florida
    Wildlife Value:
    Bougainvillea is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
    Climbing Method:
    Scrambler
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Cascading
    Climbing
    Multi-trunked
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Elongated achene which is less than 1/2 inch long and has a dry hard covering.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Around the center of pink, red, or purple bracts, the flowers are much smaller than the bracts and are generally white.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy leaves are green or variegated. They are generally glabrous (smooth and hairless) but may have small hairs. Bracts, or modified leaves, are in shades of red, pink, and purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    It has thorny stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Salt
    Wind
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns