Bougainvillea spectabilis

Common Names

Great Bougainvillea, Bougainvillea, Paper Flower

Summary

Bougainvillea spectabilis is a tropical perennial woody vine or shrub native to Brazil, widely grown worldwide as an ornamental hedge and climber in tropical and warm temperate regions, it can reach up to 12 meters tall, has spiny branches and opposite leaves, and features axillary clusters of flowers with colorful bracts in purple, pink, red, orange, or apricot, with some cultivars in white, blue, or yellow, in cultivation it prefers full sun and well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0, tolerates salt and moderate drought, and thrives in climates from tropical to warm temperate, propagation is commonly by cuttings, particularly for sterile cultivated varieties, the plant can be used as a hedge or trained on a trellis or wall, and pruning after blooming cycles helps control size and encourage flowering, it is frost-sensitive in cooler regions (USDA zones 9–11) and may require protection or movable containers in freezing temperatures, deep watering followed by drying is typical once established, with a preference for dry conditions between waterings

Lifecycle

Perennial, may be deciduous in dry areas.

Height

360-480 inches

Spread

15-41 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil (clay, loam, or sand) with a pH of roughly 5.5–7.0, avoiding waterlogging.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5 to 7.0, Slightly acidic to neutral, Ideal soil pH for Bougainvillea spectabilis is 5.5 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).

Bloom Color

Cream/Tan White, purple, pink, red, orange, magenta, deep purple, dual-toned

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings (including leaf-bud cuttings), Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies