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Glossary

Bougainvillea, Bougainvillea spectabilis

Go to - Landscape Trees
Landscape Shrubs

Family - Nyctaginaceae

Bougainvillea is a perennial sprawling woody vine or shrub and has been a south Florida garden & landscape favorite for many years. Its thorny nature easily offset by the incredible display of vivid color put on throughout most of the year. Bougainvillea is native to S. America, named after its discoverer, French navigator & explorer Louis de Bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea spectabilis grows a little larger than B. glabra which is more often chosen as a potted specimen plant. There are many hybrids available in colors ranging from white to purple, peach, pink, rose, crimson reds, salmon and more! In addition there are now also varieties with variegated foliage available.

The color of the Bougainvillea actually come from the 3 papery bracts that surround the small creamy white tubular flowers.

Bougainvillea are tropical plants that need full sun for best flowering, are somewhat tolerant of salt back from the dune, and although they prefer rich soils will tolerate a range of soil composition. Fairly drought resistant once established, Bougainvillea can be stimulated to bloom more by being allowed to occasionally dry out.

Zones 9-11, frost will kill Bougainvillea plants back to ground.

In its natural form Bougainvillea produces long arching stems with a very open structure so pruning is require to maintain a more compact form.

Easily trained on a trellis or other supporting structure, used in a "standard" form with a single main trunk, as large spreading shrubs or for barriers and screens, Bougainvilleas are sure to continue to be a popular source of color and variety in Florida landscapes.

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