Spectacular Bougainvillea - Adopted National Flower of Several Countries

San Vicente Botanical Garden Series

Spectacular Bougainvillea 

(Bougainvillea spectabilis)

Bougainvilleas make sturdy, beautiful and natural fences, hedges, and trellises. They likewise lend beauty and function to atrium, side walks, and street posts; hide empty walls and unsightly structures. 

Dr Abe V Rotor

The bougainvillea is dubbed "flowering machine," it flowers throughout the year, bursting into full bloom in the entire summer. Marius takes pride in taking care of his Bougainvilleas along the fence of his residence in San Vicente Ilocos Sur. (Photos by the author)

  
Genus Bougainvillea is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina. It got its name from a French navigator. Philbert Commerson, a French botanist, discovered the plant and named it after his friend, Captain Louis A. Bougainville, an explorer, mathematician and lawyer from Canada. (Internet)

Bougainvillea spectabilis - commonly known as paper flower, is the state flower of the US Territory of Guam. It is also the national flower of Granada a country in the Caribbean. It is also the official flower of several counties such as Taiwan and Malaysia. Bougainvillea is the floral symbol of three California cities.

Most celebrated flower
Hawaiians use Bougainvillea to make traditional floral garlands used to celebrate festivities and to welcome visitors. The bracts are strung in bunches or individually, with thread piercing the center of each three-bracted "flower." Bougainvillea is so popular that many streets, buildings and institutions bear its name in parts of California, India, Australia and elsewhere

The Bougainvillea Society of India sponsors an annual festival, as does the island of Fiji. The city of Darwin in Australia held a bougainvillea festival for many years. It continues under the name, "Darwin Festival." (Internet)

Facts About Bougainvillea spectabilis

• Bougainvilleas are invariably considered desert plants (resistant to arid condition), evergreen or deciduous (leaves fall when  in full bloom). 

• The Bougainvillea has a range of different colors, from pink, to red, to orange, to white and yellow. Around the flowers there are small tubes with three papery bracts around them. The flowers grow all over the canes and vines. 

• The Bougainvillea plant can reach over forty feet. The plant can either be vines, trees, or shrubs with sharp thorns. It is trained to cover wide areas.

• The leaves of the Bougainvillea are dark rich green and shaped like little hearts with drip tips at the ends. 

• The Bougainvillea plant is very abundant in the wild and is not endangered at all. As a woody vine protected by thorns, the plant spreads quickly and it is virtually pest-free. 

• The Bougainvillea plant is resistant to drought but not to too much water.  If over watered, it will not bloom and may even die from root decay.

• Bougainvilleas have high tolerance to salinity, making them suitable for cultivation in coastal areas.

• Bougainvilleas emit a sap that is toxic and very similar to poison ivy and poison oak. The sap can cause skin rash and itchiness. Because of this, when in close contact with bougainvilleas (for example, when pruning), individuals must be careful to avoid direct skin contact with the toxic sap.

Bougainvilleas are easy to grow and propagate, especially in areas with warm weather and plenty of sun. 

        1. Cut a mature stem to a length of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm). 

            Use a pair of sharp  pruning shears to snip the lower end of the stem 

            at a slight angle.

        2. Prune the leaves from the stem. The stem is the only part of the

            bougainvillea that will take root successfully.
 

        3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant stem slightly slanted in potted 

            soil.  Water moderately an regularly.  Watch buds coming out of he nodes

        4  Transplant rooted plant to the desired spot in your garden. For business,

            Bougainvilleas are sold in plastic flower pots, or in large earthen plants 

            as flowering plant. Bonsai Bougainvilleas are becoming popular as a hobby.

        5.  Once the plant gains foothold it needs little maintenance. However, 

             moderate  watering and  fertilization, preferably with compost, may 

             be needed. Bougainvilleas may live for years virtually without horticultural

             care, except occasional pruning.~  

 Bougainvilleas are the post popular ornamental plant in the tropics and sub-tropics. And perhaps the most celebrated, too. 

Bougainvillea on trellis and wall.

Bonsai Bougainvillea, older than a generation (right)
 
Potted Bougainvillea as natural divider and border; Bougainvillea as indoor plant. 
 

Potted Bougainvillea on wheels; an arch of red Bougainvillea

Blue Bougainvillea (Internet Photos) ~