Greetings, gardener. We, the Bougainvillea, are a vibrant and diverse genus, each variety possessing its own distinct character and preferences. While we all share a love for sun and warmth, our growth habits, color displays, and tolerances differ significantly. To determine which of us is best suited for your garden, you must understand our individual needs and how they align with your vision and environment. We are not merely decorative objects but living beings with specific requirements for thriving.
Our form is a primary consideration. Some of us, like the prolific Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst', are vigorous climbers, capable of rapidly covering large trellises, fences, or walls with a cascade of brilliant magenta. If you seek a dramatic, sprawling spectacle, we are ideal. Others, such as many cultivars of Bougainvillea glabra, are more shrub-like and can be pruned into dense, manageable hedges or standalone topiaries. For smaller spaces or containers, the newer dwarf varieties like 'Miss Alice' (a white, semi-dwarf) offer a compact, less thorny form that blooms profusely without overwhelming the area.
What you perceive as our "flowers" are actually modified leaves called bracts; our true flowers are the small, white centers. Our bract color and cycle are defining features. Varieties like Bougainvillea 'Singapore Pink' or 'California Gold' offer stunning, classic hues. However, consider our blooming habits. Some varieties are "everblooming," providing color throughout most of the year in warm climates, while others have more distinct, seasonal flushes. Furthermore, some of us, particularly the variegated types like 'Raspberry Ice' (with cream-edged leaves), may sacrifice some bloom intensity for the year-round interest of our foliage.
Our tolerance to cold is a critical factor for your garden's success. Most of us are tender perennials, severely damaged by frost. However, some are hardier than others. Bougainvillea spectabilis is more tender and sensitive to cold, while Bougainvillea glabra can withstand slightly cooler temperatures. If you live in a region with occasional chilly nights, selecting a hardier variety is paramount. Beyond temperature, we all demand full sun—at least six hours daily—for optimal blooming. Without it, our growth becomes leggy and our color fades. We also require excellent drainage; our roots despise being waterlogged.
Your willingness to maintain us should guide your choice. The large, vigorous climbers require significant pruning to keep them in check; our thorns can make this a daunting task. We are also heavy feeders during our growing season, requiring regular fertilization to support our spectacular shows. In contrast, the dwarf and shrub varieties demand less frequent pruning and are easier to manage in confined spaces. All of us benefit from being slightly pot-bound, which often encourages more prolific blooming rather than excessive leafy growth.
