Bougainvillea

( boo - gan - VILL - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Bougainvillea is a genus of flowering shrubby vines with impressive colors and fast growth. They are commonly called Paperflower, and love full sun, requiring moderate to regular water. Take care when handling and pruning these beauties, as they have long, very sharp thorns, and their sap can cause skin irritation and rashes. The colored parts that many people believe are flowers are actually bracts - the flowers themselves are insignificant and located inside the colorful bracts. These vines bloom mainly in summer, but in mild climates (and if given the right protection) blooms can occur throughout the year. Most varieties have single flowers, though some double-flowered varieties are available.

Bougainvillea Species and Varietals

The genus Bougainvillea includes 16 species and countless varietals, and is a member of the plant family Nyctaginaceae.  Bougainvillea vines grow best in zones 12-17, 19-24, H1 and H2 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map). All plants are reliably hardy in zones 22-24, H1 and H2. In zones 12-17, 19, and 21, they will need some shelter from frost, which can seriously damage the plant. In zones 12, 14, and 19-21 the plant will need to be in a spot where it gets extra warmth from reflected heat off of walls.

Bougainvillea glabra (Lesser Bougainvillea, Paperflower)
This species of vines is the species most often used as Bougainvillea bonsais. The specific epithet 'glabra' refers to the fact that the leaves are 'bald' on the top (they are somewhat fuzzy underneath). These vines reach between 10 and 12 feet in length, and produce white flowers hidden by magenta pink papery bracts.

Bougainvillea spectabilis (Great Bougainvillea)
This species is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina, and is widely grown as an outdoor ornamental plant. These plants can reach up to 40 feet in length, and produce tiny white flowers and bracts that range in color from red, mauve, purple and red to white and orange.

Bougainvillea x buttiana
This garden hybrid species is a cross between Bougainvillea glabra and Bougainvillea peruviana. It reaches about 16 feet in length and 5 feet wide, and produces dark green leaves and white flowers with magenta bracts. Popularly grown varieties include 'Mrs. Butt', 'Miss Manila', and 'Poulton's Special'.
Bougainvillea Varietals and Hybrids
The following list of Bougainvillea varieties is divided according to bract color; these hybrids and varietals are commonly grown as ornamental plants, and have differing care instructions.
White-Bract Bougainvillea
In the hottest climates, white (and yellow) bracted Bougainvilleas need extra shelter from the heat; they should be placed in areas that receive light shade.
Bougainvillea 'Mary Palmer's Enchantment'
Vigorous grower with pure white bracts.
Bougainvillea 'Singapore White'
('Miss Alice')
Thornless species that is shrubby and compact, gets to about 3-4 feet tall and wide. Some pruning needed to keep its small size. 
Bougainvillea 'White Maddonna'
White bracts with a tinge of light pink.
Yellow- to Orange- Bract Bougainvillea
This group of Bougainvilleas (mainly the yellow-bracted varieties) need extra heat and sun protection, and should be planted in an area that receives light shade.
'Bambino Baby Sophia'
Orange-bracted, grows to 5 feet tall. 
'California Gold' ('Sunset')
Blooms when young, and has deep golden yellow bracts.
'Delta Dawn'
Green and white variegated leaves, with golden-yellow flowers and yellow bracts.
'Gold Rush'
Fast grower, with gold bracts.
'Orange King'
Open growth habit, with bronze-orange bracts; this species cannot take frost and needs long warm periods to bloom. 
Pink-Bract Bougainvillea
Pink is one of the most common colors of Bougainvillea planted, their striking bract color contrasts nicely against dark green leaves. 
'Camarillo Fiesta'
Hot pink and gold bracts.
'Cherry Blossom'
Double-flowers with rose-pink bracts with white to pale green centers.
'Rosenka'
Can be pruned as a shrub.
'Singapore Pink'
Thornless species with bright pink bracts. Shrubby and compact variety that gets 3-4 feet tall and wide.
'Tahitian Maid'
Extra rows of bracts that give the flowers a double effect; blush pink.
'Texas Dawn'
Large sprays of flowers with purplish pink bracts.
'Torch Glow'
Erect grower to 6 feet tall and wide. No support is needed for this species. Reddish-pink bracts protect blooms close to the stem and are partially hidden by leaves.
'Adarna'
Part of the 'Citra' or 'Chitra' family of Bougainvillea, this plant has mottled peach, pink, yellow, and magenta bracts.
Red-Bract Bougainvillea
​Bougainvillea with red bracts vary in shape, size, and habit. See the below descriptions for more information.
'Barbara Karst'
Blooms young and for a long period; bright red bracts that have a bluish tint in the shade. Thrives in desert; will regrow after frost.
'Crimson Jewel'
Great in containers or as a shrubby bank cover. Low growth and bright crimson bracts.
'Temple Fire'
Shrub-like growth to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Plant is partially deciduous, bracts are bronzey-red.
'La Jolla'
Bright red bracts and a compact habit, shrubby; makes a good shrub or container plant.
'Manila Red'
Magenta-red bracts in many rows.
'Oo-La-La'
Dwarf (1.5 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide) variety with magenta-red bracts over a long season. Great ground cover or hanging basket plant.
'Raspberry Ice'
Shrubby and mounding habit, good for hanging baskets. Red bracts and leaves edged in yellow that are tinged red when young.
'San Diego Red'
Large, deep green foliage that is frost-resistant; deep red bracts over a long season. Vigorous and high-climbing, can be trained into a tree form.

Purple-Bract Bougainvillea
These are considered the classic or old-fashioned, and come in many different sizes, shapes and habits.
'Don Mario'
Large, vigorous grower with showy clusters of purple-red bracts.
'Purple Queen'
Compact variety with deep purple bracts. Needs support for long (up to 15 feet tall) vines.
'Tahitian Dawn'
​Large plant with gold bracts that age to rosy purple.
'Vera Deep Purple'
Neon-pink flowers on a thornless dwarf plant (2 feet tall and wide). Perfect for indoor containers.
Bougainvillea spectabilis
(B. brasiliensis) 'Lavender Queen'
Large purple bracts; heavy bloomer even in cooler summers. Hardy and vigorous grower. Great choice for zones 16 and 17.

Caring for Bougainvillea

The first step in taking great care of your Bougainvillea is to planting it in the right spot. If you are in an area that gets frost, you should plant your Bougainvillea in early spring after the last frost has passed. Ensure that your plant has structure to climb (if it needs it) and tie stems to the support structure while its own basic structure is developing. Once established, you can remove the ties. 

Pruning Bougainvillea should be done after flowering has ended in frost-free regions, or as early in spring as possible after frosts have passed. During the growing season, only prune to direct growth. Make sure to wear puncture-proof gloves to protect yourself from thorns. Without support and pruning, bougainvillea will become a sprawling shrub, and is good for groundcovers or hanging basket plants (depending on the size). 

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

The Glendora Bougainvillea
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 200 - 201, Bougainvillea 
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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