'Crimson Jewel'Condensed Version:

Along with hibiscus, palms, sunshine, beaches and piña colada, the cascading blooms of bougainvilleas with their brilliant hues, always come to mind when we think of the tropics. Bougainvillea’s natural habitat is equatorial where day and night lengths are almost equal; and in these latitudes they tend to bloom year round, and it follows that in other latitudes they often put on their best show in autumn and spring. Many garden varieties have been bred; from compact dwarfs to gorgeous doubles; as well as those with variegated flowers and leaves. The actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the bright colours associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, yellow or white.

'Donyo'The bougainvillea’s versatility is legendary; it can be coaxed into a small manageable pot plant or bonsai; or it can be trained into a sizeable tree, or standard specimen. If given a study support to spread itself vertically up a wall or over a trellis or arbour, it will climb all the way to the top to form a luscious crown of gracefully arching branches. Because of its densely branched growth habit it makes one of the best impenetrable hedges; and for bonsai or topiary purposes it has few equals, tolerating constant shaping and pruning. The dwarf varieties make excellent edging plants, groundcovers and low hedges.

Bougainvillea 'Purple Robe' Picture courtesy www.malanseuns.co.zaThis evergreen thrives in humid, moist tropical and subtropical regions, and being native to the coasts of Brazil, has a high salt tolerance. It is also extremely drought tolerant once established, virtually pest-free, and disease resistant. Bougainvillea is remarkably hardy to moderate frost if it is kept on the dry side in winter, is mulched, and positioned in a very warm sheltered spot in the garden; they will drop their leaves in cold areas. They also grow well in the warmer regions of the winter rainfall regions, blooming prolifically during the dry summer and autumn months. To flower at their best bougainvillea need full sun - the hotter it is, the better they like it. They also require well drained soils and do best in loamy, acid soils but will adapt to most garden soils.

'Turkish Delight'Bougainvillea need a sturdy support to cover a wall, fence, or other area and can be grown in anything that will hold soil. They love being pot-bound, so pot into a container a fair size larger than the nursery bag or pot you bought it in, and then re-pot into larger pot sizes every couple of years. Bougainvillea may be pruned, trimmed, and pinched at any time of the year. The amount of watering needed is directly related to climate, soil type, plant size and weather conditions. These drought-tolerant plants require very little water once established; making them perfect water-wise plants. Because bougainvillea bloom so profusely, they respond to regular monthly fertilisation during the blooming season; using a balanced fertiliser like 2:3:4 together with a supplementary feed with a fertiliser high in micronutrients, and especially Iron. Iron is the secret ingredient for vibrant, beautiful colour on bougainvillea, and also promotes healthy root development. Nitrogen and phosphate are critical to flowering, but do not over-fertilise with these two elements or your plants will produce excessive leaf growth, at the expense of the flowers.

Bougainvillea 'Ada's Joy. Picture courtesy www.malanseuns.co.zaFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Along with hibiscus, palms, sunshine, beaches and piña colada, the cascading blooms of bougainvillea’s with their brilliant hues, always come to mind when we think of the tropics. A native of coastal Brazil, the bougainvillea was discovered in 1768 in Rio de Janeiro by French naturalist Dr. Philibert Commercon and is named after his close friend and ship’s admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who commanded the ship La Boudeuse that sailed around the world; from 1766 to 1769. In the early 19th century bougainvillea was first introduced into Europe, and before long growers in France and England were doing a thriving trade providing specimens to Australia and other faraway countries; Kew Gardens also 'Vera Blakeman'distributed plants it had propagated to British colonies throughout the world.
 
There are three species; Bougainvillea spectabilis; Bougainvillea glabra and Bougainvillea peruviana. Bougainvillea spectabilis is a dense plant with large hairy leaves and distinctive curved thorns. The bracts are fairly large and crinkled, and come in shades of rose, rusty-red, and purple. Bougainvillea glabra has thinner branches that spread in many directions, and short thin thorns which are curved at the tips. Its distinctive pointed triangle-shaped bracts come in a range of whites, lilacs, mauves, and purples. Bougainvillea peruviana is a climbing or spreading shrub 'Coconut Ice' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zawith a branching habit that is looser and more open. The thorns are thin and straight when young, becoming curved with maturity. The small roundish bracts are usually in light to dark magenta colours and are quite delicate to the touch and crinkly in appearance.

Many of today's garden varieties are the result of interbreeding among only three out of the eighteen South American species recognized by botanists. There are over 300 varieties of bougainvillea worldwide; and because natural mutations seem to occur spontaneously wherever large numbers of plants are being produced, many of the hybrids have been crossed over several generations, so it is almost impossible to identify their respective origins. 'Jennifer Fernie' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zaThis had led to multiple names for the same cultivar (or variety) and has added to the confusion over the names of bougainvillea cultivars.

Bougainvillea’s natural habitat is equatorial where day and night lengths are almost equal; and in these latitudes they tend to bloom year round, and it follows that in other latitudes they often put on their best show in autumn and spring. Many garden varieties have been bred; from compact dwarfs to gorgeous doubles; as well as those with variegated flowers and leaves. The actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three Bougainvillea 'Rosenka' Picture courtesy www.malanseuns.co.zaflowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the bright colours associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, yellow or white.

In the Garden:

The bougainvillea’s versatility is legendary; it can be coaxed into a small manageable pot plant or bonsai; or it can be trained into a sizeable tree, or standard specimen. If given a study support to spread itself vertically up a wall or over a trellis or arbour, it will climb all the way to the top to form a luscious crown of gracefully arching branches. Because of its densely branched growth habit it makes one of the best impenetrable hedges; and for bonsai or Bougainvillea 'Tropical Rainbow' Picture courtesy www.malanseuns.co.zatopiary purposes it has few equals, tolerating constant shaping and pruning. The dwarf varieties make excellent edging plants, groundcovers and low hedges.

Cultivation:

This evergreen thrives in humid, moist tropical and subtropical regions, and being native to the coasts of Brazil, has 'Golden McLean' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zaa high salt tolerance. It is also extremely drought tolerant once established, virtually pest-free, and disease resistant. Bougainvillea is remarkably hardy to moderate frost if it is kept on the dry side in winter, is mulched, and positioned in a very warm sheltered spot in the garden; they will drop their leaves in cold areas. They also grow well in the warmer regions of the winter rainfall regions, blooming prolifically during the dry summer and autumn months. To flower at their best bougainvillea need full sun - the hotter it is, the better they like it. They also require well drained soils and do best in loamy, acid soils (pH 5.5 to 6.5) but will adapt to most garden soils. When choosing an area to plant, especially in soils that don’t drain that 'Gladys Hepburn'well; planting on higher ground, or planting in raised beds is best, because excessive water will drain away from the roots.
 
Bougainvillea plants need a sturdy support to cover a wall, fence, or other area and can be grown in anything that will hold soil. They love being pot-bound, so pot into a container a fair size larger than the nursery bag or pot you bought it in, and then re-pot into larger pot sizes every couple of years. Do not be tempted to re-pot unless you must; and when it is necessary, remember that a bougainvillea has a very delicate root system and needs to be handled with care. Root pruning is not recommended, rather try to disturb the roots as little as possible, or the plant Bougainvillea 'Lady Mary Baring' Picture courtesy www.malanseuns.co.zamight go into shock and take weeks to recover. It’s also very important to remember that a bougainvillea does not tolerate standing in water and requires very well drained potting soil.

To avoid bare growth in the centre off the plant it is important not to wait for the branches to grow very far beyond your desired size before removing all the tips, either with shears or by finger pinching. Bougainvillea may be pruned, trimmed, and pinched at any time of the year because bloom initiation does not depend upon trimming; and the plants have distinct growth cycles – a vegetative growth cycle followed by a bloom cycle followed by a rest period; whether trimmed or not. The best time to pinch is at the end of each blooming cycle or at the beginning of the rest period; this will also promote branching and budding for the next bloom cycle. If you want to train your plant into a standard or small 'Magnifica'tree, then don’t pinch out the central growth tip. Be careful when pruning and wear gloves to protect your hand from the thorns.

The amount of watering needed is directly related to climate, soil type, plant size and weather conditions. These drought-tolerant plants require very little water once established; making them perfect water-wise plants. Water moderately during prolonged dry spells, and when you do water, ensure that you water deeply and thoroughly; avoid constant, light, and frequent watering as this will promote a weak and shallow root system and prevent any major colouring on your bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea 'Natalia' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zaBecause bougainvillea bloom so profusely, they respond to regular monthly fertilisation during the blooming season; using a balanced fertiliser like 2:3:4 together with a supplementary feed with a fertiliser high in micronutrients, and especially Iron. Iron is the secret ingredient for vibrant, beautiful colour on bougainvillea, and also promotes healthy root development. Nitrogen and phosphate are critical to flowering, but do not over-fertilise with these two elements or your plants will produce excessive leaf growth, at the expense of the flowers.
 
Propagation:

Bougainvillea 'Poultonii' Picture courtesy www.malanseuns.co.zaBougainvilleas are easy to propagate by layering or by taking stem cuttings. Because they resent having their roots disturbed, be especially careful when transplanting your rooted cuttings. Semi-ripe cutting are taken from mid to late summer; and hardwood cuttings are taken in mid-winter. Summer cuttings are current season's growth that has begun to mature and stiffen up, with some bark starting to form on the stem. Hardwood cuttings are current season's growth that has matured and developed bark.

Whether they are taken in summer or winter, cuttings require warm, humid conditions and temperatures between +-18 and 21°C. Cut +-20cm length of stem, strip all but a few leaves from the tip of the cutting, dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder no. 2 for summer cuttings; and hormone powder no. 3 for winter cuttings. Plant the cuttings deeply into a pot of moistened growing medium. Equal quantities of sand and 'Princess Mahara' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zacommercial potting soil works well. Place the pots in a greenhouse, cloche, or cold frame, out of direct sunlight. The covering will help retain soil moisture and keep the cutting from drying out. When new leaves appear along the stem you'll know that roots have formed.

Layering should be started in the spring when the plant is growing vigorously. To propagate by layering, simply bend a stem that’s producing new growth right down to the ground, nick it slightly on the lower side and bury the injured stem partly under the soil. Anchor the stem down to the soil with a tent peg or some small pebbles etc. Check in late summer to see if roots have developed. Once they have, you can cut the stem from the parent plant, dig the rooted part out very carefully, and plant it in its new location.

'Killie Campbel. Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zaPests & Diseases:

Bougainvillea’s are relatively pest-free plants, but may suffer from worms, snails and aphids. The larvae of some Lepidoptera species (an order of insects that includes moths and butterflies) use them as food plants.

Caution:

Bougainvillea’s might be extraordinarily beautiful but are also extraordinarily messy; dropping their spent bracts and leaves continuously; so do not site your Bougainvillea near to swimming pools, ponds water features, or in other garden areas where you do not want a mess.

Bougainvillea 'Tom Thumb' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zaToxicity:

The sap of the bougainvillea plant is only mildly toxic, but if ingested in large enough quantities, it can lead to illness. Bougainvillea’s leaves are not toxic, but a prick from the plant’s sharp thorns can lead to dermatitis, a skin rash typically caused by an allergic reaction. Symptoms of dermatitis caused by bougainvillea resemble that of poison oak or poison ivy, and may include pain, itching, stinging, or burning skin, blisters, scaly rash, swelling and sores.

Bougainvillea 'Temple Fire' Picture courtesy www.steyns-nursery.co.zaBougainvillea is classified as mildly toxic to dogs. This means that a dog may or may not experience side effects from eating bougainvillea. The most common side effects include; gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Call a veterinarian if your dog experiences ill effects after eating the plant.