Bougainvillea - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 2)

Bougainvillea is a genus of vigorous flowering vines, shrubs, and small trees in the Nyctaginaceae family, native to South America, particularly Brazil, Peru, and Argentina. Celebrated for their spectacular displays of brilliant color, Bougainvilleas are among the world's most popular ornamental plants in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates. Depending on the species and growing conditions, they may climb 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) with support or be maintained as compact shrubs, hedges, standards, bonsai, or container specimens through regular pruning.

Their true flowers are small, tubular, and usually white or cream, but each is surrounded by three large, papery bracts that provide the vivid display. Bracts occur in shades of purple, magenta, pink, red, orange, yellow, white, or combinations of these colors, often covering the plant for months in warm climates. Bougainvilleas bloom most heavily in full sun and well-drained soil and become increasingly drought tolerant once established. They perform best when allowed to dry slightly between waterings and generally flower more profusely under bright, sunny conditions. Hardy in USDA Zones 9b-11, they are widely grown on trellises, fences, pergolas, walls, hanging baskets, and in large containers. Numerous species, hybrids, and cultivars are available, ranging from vigorous climbers to naturally compact forms with single, semi-double, or fully double colorful bracts.See article about Bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea 'Mahara' is a compact bougainvillea cultivar distinguished by its abundant clusters of vivid magenta to deep pink, double bracts that create a lush, ruffled appearance. Its naturally dense, well-branched growth and profuse flowering make it especially suitable for containers, patios, hanging baskets, and small garden spaces. It blooms freely over a long season in warm climates, often producing repeated flushes of color when grown in full sun.

This cultivar performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought tolerant and responds well to light pruning, which helps maintain its compact habit and encourages additional flowering. Suitable for USDA zones 9b to 11, 'Mahara' is an excellent choice for colorful container displays, low trellises, and landscape accents where a smaller, double-bracted bougainvillea is desired.

Bougainvillea 'Torch Glow' is a distinctive bougainvillea cultivar grown for its unusual upright, self-branching habit rather than its climbing ability. Instead of producing long twining shoots, it forms dense, vertical stems that require little or no support. While small clusters of colorful bracts appear along the stems, the most striking display is produced at the shoot tips, where large, dense terminal clusters create the appearance of brilliant floral torches. This unique architectural habit makes 'Torch Glow' an outstanding focal point for containers and landscape plantings.

This cultivar performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires only occasional pruning to maintain its naturally upright form. Suitable for USDA zones 9b to 11, 'Torch Glow' is ideal for specimen plantings, containers, and water-wise landscapes where its bold, sculptural habit can be fully appreciated.

Bougainvillea 'Cherry Blossom' is an ornamental bougainvillea cultivar prized for its unusual color-changing display. Newly opened bracts emerge creamy yellow to pale lemon with delicate cherry-pink margins, gradually maturing to soft rosy pink and creating a beautiful two-toned effect over an extended flowering season. The plant blooms freely in warm climates, often displaying clusters in several color stages at once for exceptional ornamental appeal. Its well-branched growth makes it well suited for containers, trellises, fences, and other decorative garden settings where its subtle pastel colors can be fully appreciated.

This cultivar performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, where it flowers most abundantly. Once established, it is drought tolerant and benefits from light pruning to maintain its shape and encourage repeated blooming. Suitable for USDA zones 9b to 11, 'Cherry Blossom' is an excellent choice for containers or landscape plantings, providing months of graceful color with relatively little maintenance.

It is a small, evergreen foliage tree or a large shrub. It reaches a height of four to seven meters. The pale green leaves are long and pointed and about 10-12" in length. They are of a pleasing pale green color. Planted in good sunlight, the leaves may acquire a light yellow color, which looks nice and unusual. The plant belongs to Nyctaginaceae family of bougainvillea and four o'clock plant. But, unlike the two other family members, is grown not for its flowers but for its leaves. The leaves used by natives as cattle feed. They also have medicinal properties and cooked and eaten when suffering from rheumatism or arthritis. The young leaves come in handy as a leafy vegetable. The lettuce tree can be grown as a large shrub. Being a coastal tree it does not thrive as well on land as it does on the east and west coast of the USA. The plant grows well in any soil, but being a littoral plant it shows preference for sandy soil. It is propagated through cuttings, which root easily in sand. Pisonia alba can be planted singly in large compounds to make it grow into trees or planted closely and trimmed regularly to make a pleasant looking hedge. The tree rarely flowers. The flowers are small, green and inconspicuous. The leaves are also carminative (expels flatulence). Leaves coated with eau de cologne are used to rub on elephantoid swellings.