Bougainvillea commonly called the ‘Paper flower’ originated in Brazil and the tropical region of South America. It was discovered and named after a rench navigator, Louis de Bougainville in the 18th century. This beautiful flowering plant belongs to a family of shrubs and scrambling climbers.
It was brought to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Asia where it adapted well and soon became popular. Even today, it is thought off as a Southern European plant, although it is found in many countries throughout the world. Bougainvillea is an outdoor plant that loves the sunlight. It has thin, oval green leaves and woody stems with thorns. Owing to its thorns, it is sometimes used as a hedge to deter intruders. Its attractive flowers consist of a small white tubular centre surrounded by colourful bracts. It comes in a rainbow of colours such as purple, white, pink, orange, red, salmon, gold, pink and white, orange and peach, lilac and fuschia. There are also hydrid varieties that bear two-colour flowers or have varigated leaves.
A new variety was developed in Singapore around mid-1990. These are dwarf varieties which come in white, pink, fuschia and purple. They are shorter plants with bigger leaves and larger bracts than the normal bougainvillea, and so they make excellent potted plants.
I thought that I had seen the most beautiful bougainvilleas in Florida, however it was in Mustique, an island just off St Vincent that I was most impressed with bougainvilleas. All had been imported and were well laid out along the driveways of hotels and private homes. It was a sight to behold.
Bougainvillea like sunlight and well-drained soil, and will flower almost all year round. Trim the plants after flowering to the required height. Fertilize with Miracle Gro Bloom Booster or Blue Granules once every two weeks. It can be grown from cuttings.
Until next week, happy gardening!
