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Bougainvillea Bougainvillea

Other plants called Bougainvillea:

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

Bougainvillea is a genus of 18 flowering plants, native to South America, and in the Nyctaginaceae (four-o’clock) family. They are woody vines with a scrambling habit. 

Plant them in full sun in sandy or loamy acidic soils with good drainage. They are tolerant of drought, heat, and salt. Traditionally planted along trellises and fences, they can be trained to grow more shrub-like in containers. 

The plant is sterile and is propagated from stem cuttings. Blooming is on new growth. The actual flower is small, tubular, and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three to six brightly colored bracts, including pinks, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow colors. 

In cooler climates, they can be used as an annual or a houseplant in containers and hanging baskets but are most often seen growing indoors in a conservatory. 

Quick ID Hints: 

  • Stem is covered in long, thin thorns that often appear at the leaf axil
  • Three small white flowers are surrounded by three to six brightly colored bracts

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 in Davidson County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea spectabilis
Tags:
#thorns#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#bonsai#salt tolerant#apvg#hanging baskets#privacy#poolside planting#screening#vertical spaces#dry soils tolerant#apvg-vg#container plant#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea spectabilis
Tags:
#thorns#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#bonsai#salt tolerant#apvg#hanging baskets#privacy#poolside planting#screening#vertical spaces#dry soils tolerant#apvg-vg#container plant#coastal plant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • 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, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a narrow five-lobed achene.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Description:
    Thorny scambling green stems. Older ones turn woody.
  • 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