(Bougainvillea)

The genus Bougainvillea comprises about 18 species. They are woody, scrambling, thorny vines, shrubs and small trees native to South America. The genus is named for Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French explorer who sailed around the world in 1767 and discovered the plant in the area of Brazil. There are several commercially important species and hundreds of cultivated varieties.

Generally, these plants are evergreen but some may be semi-evergreen for a short time during winter....

(Bougainvillea, Elizabeth Angus Bougainvillea, Paperflower)

This fabulous tropical vine has brilliant magenta purple flowers that can’t be beat. Moreover, its shiny foliage and moderate size make ‘Elizabeth Angus’ a perfect hybrid Bougainvillea for smaller gardens. This hybrid holds its vivid color far longer than larger forms but the blooms may require manual removal once they have faded.

Bougainvillea is grown for its garishly bright blooms. The true flowers are small, tubular and inconspicuous but are surrounded by large, bright,...

(Bougainvillea, Imperial Delight Bougainvillea)

The genus Bougainvillea comprises about 18 species. They are woody, scrambling, thorny vines, shrubs and small trees native to South America. The genus is named for Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French explorer who sailed around the world in 1767 and discovered the plant in the area of Brazil. There are several commercially important species and hundreds of cultivated varieties.

Generally, these plants are evergreen but some may be semi-evergreen for a short time during winter....

(Bougainvillea, James Walker Bougainvillea, Paperflower)

This fabulous tropical vine with its brilliant purple flowers brings vibrant color to frost-free gardens. It is a hallmark of Mexico and California but can be found thriving in dry climates around the world. The parent species are native to South America where various colors and forms were bred early on to create the contemporary garden varieties. This large woody vine-like plant known as a liana produces long arching branches decked with dark green leaves. It thrives in well-drained soils in very...

(Bougainvillea, Mary Palmer Bougainvillea, Surprise Bougainvillea)

The hybrid 'Mary Palmer' bougainvillea (also known as 'Surprise' and 'Snow Cap'), a cross of Bougainvillea spectabilis and B. peruviana, is a lovely semi-evergreen vine that usually flowers multiple times across the year. The small flowers are creamy-white and are surrounded by colorful papery bracts that are coppery when young and then mature to white and vibrant shades of pink. Some bracts can have marbling of the two colors. Occasionally the plant may revert to bracts that are...

(Bougainvillea, Mary Palmer's Enchantment Bougainvillea)

This hybrid bougainvillea, 'Mary Palmer's Enchantment,' is a popular semi-evergreen vine that flowers multiple times during the year. The small flowers are creamy-white and are surrounded by large, papery white bracts (petal-like leaves). Its large, dark green leaves are smooth and may persist year-round, depending on temperature and soil moisture. It is a plant with reaching, vigorous, thorny stems that need room to spread and climb.

Plant ‘Mary Palmer’s Enchantment’ in full to partial sun. In...

(Bougainvillea, Miami Pink Bougainvillea, Paperflower)

The hybrid 'Mary Palmer' bougainvillea (also known as 'Surprise' and 'Snow Cap'), a cross of Bougainvillea spectabilis and B. peruviana, is a lovely semi-evergreen vine that usually flowers multiple times across the year. The small flowers are creamy-white and are surrounded and dwarfed by colorful papery bracts that are coppery when young and then mature to white and vibrant shades of pink. Some bracts can have marbling of the two colors. Occasionally the plant may revert to bracts...

(Bougainvillea, Oo-La-La® Bougainvillea)

This vivid magenta-red dwarf bougainvillea, ‘Monka,’ is among the best for a groundcover or container color in hot, dry climates. It is descended from giant vines of South America and their many hybrids, crossed to develop this small shrubby form, and others, tame enough for garens with limited space or entirely new applications such as slope stabilization.

Also known as Oo-La-La, bears dense color due not to its flowers but to modified leaves known as bracts. They are a signal that draws pollinators...

(Bougainvillea, Pink Pixie Bougainvillea)

This is a true miniature form of the huge tropical vines that are the star performers of tropical gardens. Not only is ‘Pink Pixie’ a better candidate for small, sun-drenched gardens than most bougainvilleas, it’s a popular bonsai and topiary specimen too. This is a dwarf form of the variety ‘Torch Glow,’ discovered by a California grower among a group of bougainvilleas imported from the Philippines. What makes this sun-loving dwarf so unusual is the short distance between nodes on its stems, with...

(Bougainvillea, Paperflower, Raspberry Ice Bougainvillea)

Raspberry Ice bougainvillea is a shrubby, mounding evergreen climber with short thorns and small green leaves with wavy margins. Leaves have cream to golden yellow edges, dark gray-green centers, and are tinged with red when new. Clusters of red bracts create additional color from summer to autumn or, in the dry season.

Plant bougainvillea in full sun and fertile, well-drained garden soil. Raspberry Ice bougainvillea is especially effective in hanging baskets or other containers.