Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea spectabilis
Also listed as Bougainvillea bracteata, Bougainvillea brasiliensis
Also known as Brazil Bougainvillea, Great Bougainvillea, Beautiful Bougainvillea
Climate Match for your location
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A vigorous, sprawling shrub prized for its intensely colored bracts (modified leaves) that surround inconspicuous true flowers, blooming nearly year-round in warm climates. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and well-suited to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate gardens.
Why grow it
Bougainvillea offers sustained color through extended bloom cycles in warm regions where many ornamentals flag during heat and drought stress. Compared to other heat-loving shrubs, its dramatic bracts provide visual impact with minimal water input once established, making it practical for low-input landscapes in appropriate climates. It tolerates poor soil and neglect better than many flowering ornamentals, though this tolerance does not eliminate the need for basic establishment care.
Watch out for
Young plants require consistent moisture and protection from frost until their root systems mature; this establishment phase can extend several months in marginal climates. Bougainvilleas respond poorly to transplanting and frequent relocation, so site selection matters more than with many woody ornamentals. Enthusiastic pruning promotes branching and flowering but must be timed carefully, as the plant sets blooms on new growth over several weeks.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Nyctaginaceae
Native Range
South America (Brazil)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Barbara Karst' and 'San Diego Red' produce vivid red bracts and are among the most widely grown; 'Golden Glow' and 'Orange King' offer warm orange tones, while 'Purple King' provides deep magenta color.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A vigorous, sprawling shrub prized for its intensely colored bracts (modified leaves) that surround inconspicuous true flowers, blooming nearly year-round in warm climates. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and well-suited to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bougainvillea grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bougainvillea offers sustained color through extended bloom cycles in warm regions where many ornamentals flag during heat and drought stress. Compared to other heat-loving shrubs, its dramatic bracts provide visual impact with minimal water input once established, making it practical for low-input landscapes in appropriate climates. It tolerates poor soil and neglect better than many flowering ornamentals, though this tolerance does not eliminate the need for basic establishment care.
Watch out for
Young plants require consistent moisture and protection from frost until their root systems mature; this establishment phase can extend several months in marginal climates. Bougainvilleas respond poorly to transplanting and frequent relocation, so site selection matters more than with many woody ornamentals. Enthusiastic pruning promotes branching and flowering but must be timed carefully, as the plant sets blooms on new growth over several weeks.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Nyctaginaceae
Native Range
South America (Brazil)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Barbara Karst' and 'San Diego Red' produce vivid red bracts and are among the most widely grown; 'Golden Glow' and 'Orange King' offer warm orange tones, while 'Purple King' provides deep magenta color.