What is a hill top view of city without a few neon splashes of Bougainvillea? This hearty transplant from Brazil via Europe is well suited to our climate and scarce watering habits. While we see these everwhere, from well manicured versions on 1920's Mediterranean style mansions, to abandoned city lots, most wouldn't have a clue how to plant and grow one.
While I'm no expert, I can pass along a few tips to get your own piece of color going:
SITE: This girl likes alot of sun. Think: glaring, relentless light, and you have found the best spot for her. If you have a south or west facing front door, she will make you happy when you come home.
NEEDS: Like anyone in the sun all day, she needs some water, especially if young. But don't soak her all day or let her rot next to a leaking sprinkler head. On the other hand, keep an eye out: drooping leaves means she's over due for a drink.
HOW: You can grow this in the ground or pot. She likes to be 'root bound' so don't plant her with alot of space around the root ball. This is the place to mention that her root ball is really sensitive, so taking her out of the plastic pot she came in can be tricky. Try cutting the pot away from the root ball and setting the plant into a hole without spreading or tearing the roots. You could even set that black plastic pot into a bigger clay one, then pack soil around the 'gap' so it looks planted.
TYPE: Bougainvillea has many hybrids and colors these days. Some will grow tall with deadly, thorny canes reaching high up for a grab onto your fence. Other varieties grow low and wide, spreading out into neighboring bushes and festooning them with her blooms at a time when most plants are colorless.
RESOURCES: try this BGI site for lots of details and this article from Dave's Garden can give you more tips too.
