Bouginvillea Red and Trachelospermum jasminoides. Picture by K M from flickrCondensed Version:
Bougainvillea thrives in humid, moist tropical and subtropical regions, and has a high salt tolerance. It grows well in the warmer regions of the winter rainfall regions, and is remarkably hardy to moderate frost if positioned in a warm sheltered spot in the garden, but may drop its leaves in cold areas.
To flower at their best bougainvillea need full sun - the hotter it is, the better they like it. They will adapt to most well drained, fertile garden soils.
It is extremely drought tolerant once established, and the amount of watering needed is directly related to climate, soil type, plant size and weather conditions.
In subtropical regions Bougainvillea can flower sporadically throughout the year. In cold regions it will flower during summer and autumn, and in the winter rainfall regions it blooms prolifically during the dry summer and autumn months.
Feed regularly during the blooming season using a balanced fertiliser for flowering plants together with a supplementary feed with a fertiliser high in micronutrients, and especially Iron.
Many garden varieties are available, 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.
Bougainvillea 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.
Bougainvillea Image by Hoang Long McKenzil from PixabayFull Version:
Description, History & Interesting Facts:
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. 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 distributed plants it had propagated to British colonies throughout the world.
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. This had led to multiple names for the same cultivar (or variety) and has added to the confusion over the names of bougainvillea cultivars.
Many of today's garden varieties of bougainvillea are the result of interbreeding among only three out of the eighteen South American species recognized by botanists. These three species are: (Bougainvillea spectabilis); (Bougainvillea glabra) and (Bougainvillea peruviana).
Great Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis)
The Great Bougainvillea 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.
Lesser Bougainvillea, Paperflower (Bougainvillea glabra)
The Lesser Bougainvillea 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)
Bougainvillea peruviana is a climbing or spreading shrub with a branching habit that is loose and 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.
When do Bougainvilleas flower?
The natural habitat of bougainvillea is equatorial where day and night lengths are almost equal, and in these latitudes it tends to bloom year round. If grown in other latitudes bougainvillea can flower sporadically throughout summer, but they often put on their best show in autumn and spring. In winter rainfall regions they will bloom prolifically during the dry summer and autumn months.
What colour flowers do Bougainvilleas have?
The actual flower of the bougainvillea is very small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the bright colours associated with this plant. These colourful bracts come in an astounding range of colours, and in all hues, tints and shades of pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, yellow or white, and combinations of these colours.
Bougainvillea 'Orange' Image by LoggaWiggler from PixabayIn the Garden:
The versatility of bougainvillea in the garden is legendary, as it can be coaxed into a small manageable pot plant and even a bonsai, or it can be trained into a sizeable climber, shrub, tree, or standard specimen. Many garden varieties have been bred, from compact dwarfs to gorgeous doubles, as well as those with wonderful variegated leaves, and bi-coloured bracts.
The dwarf varieties make excellent edging plants, groundcovers and low hedges, and are also great as small manageable pot plants. Larger growing varieties are best to train as trees or sizeable shrubs. And, if given a sturdy support to spread vertically up a wall or over a trellis or arbour, bougainvillea will climb all the way to the top to form a luscious crown of gracefully arching branches.
Bougainvillea tolerates constant shaping and pruning, and for topiary and bonsai purposes it has few equals. This, together with its densely branched growth habit and thorns, makes bougainvillea one of the most beautiful impenetrable hedges.
Bougainvillea plants need a sturdy support to cover a wall, fence, or other area and can be grown in anything that will hold soil.
Click here to read my article "Colour pallettes for Bougainvilleas". In this article you will learn exciting ways to combine the various shades, tints and tones of bougainvilleas to create a stunning effect in the landscape. Learn how to grow and care for bougainvilleas and how to select the best companion plants so they are able to flourish together. Even if you dream of a tropical looking garden but wish to use cooler shades like white or pale pink, there is a bougainvillea variety that will suit your needs.
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 too close to swimming pools, ponds, water features, or in other garden areas where you do not want a mess.
Cultivation:
Where do Bouginvilleas grow best?
This evergreen thrives in humid, moist tropical and subtropical regions, and being native to the coasts of Brazil, has a high salt tolerance. They grow well in frost-free regions and in the warmer parts of our winter rainfall regions.
How hardy is Bougainvillea?
Once the plants are established Bougainvilleas are remarkably hardy to moderate frost. In colder regions position the plant in a warm and sheltered part of the garden and cover the plants with a frost cover for the first couple of years until the plant is established. Mulch the roots in autumn, and gradually reduce your frequency of watering through autumn, and keep the plant on the dry side in winter. In cold regions bougainvilleas will drop all their leaves, entering a semi-dormant state, and therefore do better with less water.
How drought tolerant is Bougainvillea?
Once established bougainvillea is extremely drought tolerant and should survive on natural rainfall.
How much sun do Bougainvilleas require?
To flower at their best bougainvillea need full sun - the hotter it is, the better they like it.
What soil type does Bougainvillea require?
Bougainvillea requires well drained soils and does 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 well, planting on higher ground, or planting in raised beds is best, because excessive water will drain away from the roots.
How much water do Bougainvilleas need?
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.
How do I fertilise Bougainvillea?
Because bougainvillea bloom so profusely, they respond to regular monthly fertilisation during the blooming season; using a balanced fertiliser for flowering plants, 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 essential, but do not over-fertilise with these two elements or your plants will produce excessive leaf growth, at the expense of the flowers.
How do I prune Bougainvillea?
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. They 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 the beginning of the rest period, as this will also promote branching and budding for the next bloom cycle.
If you want to train your plant into a standard or small tree, then don’t pinch out the central growth tip.
Be careful when pruning and wear gloves to protect your hand from the thorns.
Bougainvillea grows well on pots. Pictrure by smilla4 from flickrHow to grow Bougainvillea in a pot?
Bougainvilleas can be grown in anything that will hold soil. They love being a bit pot-bound, so pot into a container a fair size larger than the nursery bag or pot you bought it in, but not one too large. Rather 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 can be done for bonsai but is not generally recommended. Try to disturb the roots as little as possible or the plant might go into shock and take weeks to recover.
Potted specimens do well in a fertile, very well drained potting soil, and will need regular feeding and watering. Remember that a bougainvillea does not tolerate standing in water in drip trays .
Propagation:
Bougainvilleas are easy to propagate by layering or by taking stem 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 approximately 20cm length of stem, strip all but a few leaves from the tip of the cutting before dipping 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 commercial 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. Because they resent having their roots disturbed, be especially careful when transplanting your rooted cuttings.
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 something heavy like a brick. Check later in summer to see if roots have developed. Once they have, you can cut the stem from the parent plant and dig the rooted part out very carefully to plant it in its new location of pot.
Problems, Pests & Diseases:
Bougainvilleas 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.
Warning:
The sap of bougainvillea is only mildly toxic, but if ingested in large enough quantities, it can lead to illness. The 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 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.