The Bougainvillea comes in lots of shapes, sizes, and colours. It is a popular ornamental plant because it is versatile, hardy (drought tolerant) with beautiful blooms in summer. They are native to South America and there are four species with over 280 varieties.
This plant was first noticed by a French explorer Louis de Bougainville. They are either evergreen in high rainfall areas or deciduous in dry areas and can grow anything from 1 to 12 metres tall. You also get them as ground covers and in dwarf form.
The actual flower is tiny and white between 3-6 brightly coloured, thin papery bracts. They usually have three flowers in each clusters. These bracts come in colours of purple, yellow, orange, fuchsia pink, cerise pink, and crimson.
They are vigorous growers, have long woody vines and spiky thorns which have a waxy substance on their tips. The vines are covered with dark green heart-shaped leaves and colourful blooms.
This plant thrives in warmer climates, well-drained dry soil (pH 6) and in full sun (or at least 6 hours per day). You need to fertilize it frequently during the spring and summer months and be careful not to over-water them as they will rot. They can go without water for up to nine months.
Perfect to plant along fence lines and walls as the thorns serve as extra protection against unwanted guests, this the reason for the Bougainvillea's popularity in the South African gardens. They do not cling or attach but you can angle them with wire or eye hooks in whichever way you want them to grow. They also do very well in outdoor hanging baskets and containers.
Cultivars includes double-flowered and variegated. Pruning in late fall and early spring is important as dead wood needs to be removed and you might want to cut the plant back.
Happy Gardening!!