Bougainvillea
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- boo-gun-VEEL-ee-uh
- Description
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Bougainvilla is a genius of 4- 18 plants that are deciduous or evergreen thorny flowering shrubs or vines in the Four-O'Clock family native to South America. The actual flower is small, tubular and generally white, but each cluster of three is surrounded by three or six paper-like bracts with bright colors including pinks, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow. They are tolerant of drought, heat and salt. The plant is sterile and is propagated from stem cuttings. Blooming is on new growth.
Plant them in the full sun in acidic soils. In cooler climates, they can be used as an annual or a houseplant in containers and hanging baskets. Plant along trellises and fences. They can be trained to grow more shrub-like in containers. Cultivars are available.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids are occasional problems. Thorns are present.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Bonsai Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea spectabilis
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea spectabilis
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bougainvillea
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South America
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9b, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a narrow five-lobed achene.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny white tubular flowers in groups of three surrounded by bright colorful bracts. Bloom seasonally
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Thin, simple elliptical to heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips and entire margins
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Stem:
- Stem Description:
- Thorny scambling green stems. Older ones turn woody.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Security
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Salt
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
