Great Bougainvillea Bougainvillea spectabilis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bougainvillea speciosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- boo-gun-VEEL-ee-uh speck-TAB-ih-liss
- Description
-
Bougainvillea spectabilis is a tropical perennial shrubby vine grown as an annual or container plant and makes an excellent addition to a pool or patio space. It prefers moderately fertile, organically rich soil that retains moisture but is not soggy. 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 that can support itself on other plants by means of curved thorns carried in the leaf axils and by quasi-twining stems and should be kept away from high traffic areas as the thorns can be painful. It is best tied to 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.
Tip: Reduce water and fertilizer and prune if necessary after flowering. It needs a dormant period and benefits from "neglect".
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- California Gold
Golden yellow bracts - Juanita Hatten
Dark pink bracts - Sundown
Orange bracts - Vicky
Gold and green variegated leaves, white or rose bracts
- California Gold
- California Gold, Juanita Hatten, Sundown, Vicky
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- California Gold
Golden yellow bracts - Juanita Hatten
Dark pink bracts - Sundown
Orange bracts - Vicky
Gold and green variegated leaves, white or rose bracts
- California Gold
- California Gold, Juanita Hatten, Sundown, Vicky
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bougainvillea
- Species:
- spectabilis
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The extract and decoction of this plant have been used as fertility control among the tribal people in many countries. It also is believed to have anticancer, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcer properties. Bougainvillea spectabilis contains pinitol, which has an insulin-like effect and has the potential for development as a treatment for diabetes.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
- Distribution:
- It can be found cultivated and naturalized across Asia, Africa, tropical America, the West Indies, the Mediterranean region, and on many islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans in tropical and warm temperate regions.
- Wildlife Value:
- It is pollinated by night moths, bees, and butterflies.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 41 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Clumping
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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-
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:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Winged achenes are 1-1.5 cm, elongate, 5-ribbed containing 1 seed and are distributed by wind and water.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are found in axillary clusters of three, each flower with a purple, red, pink, or orange bract beneath. The calyx is tubular with 5 lobes approximately 2 cm long. The tube is the same color as the bracts, with white lobes approximately 3 mm long and 5-10 stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Sinuate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The actual leaves are green. Branches are covered with long, soft hairs. Leaves are elliptical or ovate with the apex acute, obtuse, or acuminate and the base obtuse, rounded, or attenuate, slightly asymmetrical. Lower surfaces are softly hairy with prominent venation and slender petioles. This plant also has modified leaves called bracts (that may look like petals) and give the appearance of flowers.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems have long narrow thorns in the axils of leaves.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Security
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Pollution
- Salt
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
