Bougainvillea Bougainvillea

Thornless Bougainvillea, Is it Real?

2012-01-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Does it exist? The elusive thornless (aka: dwarf) bougainvillea DOES exist!

Helen Johnson is the only true dwarf bougainvillea that we have found to have the best growth pattern and most reliable flowering habit. This cultivar is ideal for use as groundcover, and is absolutely stunning as a mass planting. New growth opens coppery orange, maturing into a uniform pink color. Bracts are small and twisted in arrangement. Leaves are small, opening greenish-tan, maturing to a dark-green.

Miss Alice, The White Bougainvillea

2012-01-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

Miss Alice™ may have many names, but few can match her beauty. She’s a giant-bract, semi-dwarf, thornless variety due to her compact, slow-growing habit, and extremely low thorn count. Her heavy flowering pattern of pure white bracts can be enjoyed year-round, and can be maintained to stay bushy and low to the ground. Bright white bracts grow in large clusters and are very large, long, and elliptic. Leaves are medium to dark green, long, and tapering to a point.

Species of Bougainvillea

2011-12-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

Species

Bougainvillea spectabilis
Bougainvillea glabra
Bougainvillea peruviana

Bougainvillea spectabilis is a large climber with distinctive curved thorns, and hair on stems and leaves. The bracts are crinkled, fairly large, egg-shaped, and possess colors in the rose, rusty-red, and purple. Flowers are cream in color, slender, with very hairy tubes. Leaves are large, ovate to rounded, leathery in texture and hairy underneath. The bark is pale and corky. Branching is close and short, giving rise to a very dense plant. The first species collected, it was described from dried specimens by Willdenow (1798).

Bougainvillea glabra has thinner branches that spread in many directions and have distinctive pointed triangle-shaped bracts that come in a range of whites, lilacs, mauves, and purples. Thorns are short, thin, and curved at the tips. Leaves are fairly evenly elliptical, widest about the middle. The small cream flowers are relatively big and tube-shaped. The also tend to flower virtually continuously, and often down the entire length of the branch. Originally described and named by Choisy (1849).

Bougainvillea peruviana has a branching habit that is looser and more open. This is a climbing, spiny, spreading shrub with greenish bark. Thorns (spines) are thin, straight in youth and curved when older. Leaves are thin and ovate to broadly ovate. The small roundish bracts, usually in light to dark magenta colors, are quite delicate to the touch, and are crinkly in appearance. Flowering is recurrent after strong vegetative growth in response to dry weather. This species was described and named by Humbold and Bonpland (1808).

Bougainvillea Photo Gallery

2011-11-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

Just a random collection of bougainvillea images! Enjoy!

2011-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

Bougainvillea Flowers originated in Brazil and are popular anywhere that is hot. Bougainvillea Flowers need very little water to thrive and can grow in any sunny area. Bougainvillea Flowers Bracts come in a variety of colors such as pink, purple, red, orange, yellow and white. The Bougainvillea flowers bracts are actually what give the bougainvillea flower its color. This page is for people who love the Bougainvillea flowers. There are videos for care of Bougainvillea flowers, pictures of bougainvillea flowers and bougainvillea flowers gifts.

The actual flowers of the Bougainvillea plant does not come from the flowers themselves. The flower itself is a small white cluster of three flowers surrounded by 3 or 6 bracts which are the actual vibrant colors that you love. Bougainvillea Flowers and bracts are surrounding the Hawaiian island coastal areas because of their beautiful and rich colors. Bougainvillea flowers have a high tolerance to salt, which makes them a ideal choice in beach resort areas.

Bougainvillea flowers will thrive all year long in tropical and warm climate zones.

Video: Bougainvillea Bonsai

2011-09-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Bouganvillea Information

2011-07-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

Bougainvillea Bloom Season in North America

Bougainvilleas' natural habitat is equatorial where day and night lengths are almost equal. Bougainvilleas in these areas tend to bloom year round, but in North America, best blooming occurs when the night length and day length are almost equal (in spring or fall). In winter, blooming is better than in the dog days of August because of night length. Also, some cultivars are triggered to bloom after a rainy season followed by a dry season.

Best Climate for Bougainvillea

Bougainvilleas are tropical and must be protected from frost. In Zone 8 and cooler, you are almost limited to growing them in some kind of container unless you treat them as an Annual (plant a new plant outdoors each year) -- which works fine if you obtain a large plant in the Spring.

Bougainvilleas thrive in full sun. At least 5 hours a day of full sunlight is the minimal light required for good bloom. More hours of direct sun is better. Less than 5 hours and the plant may not bloom very well. In shade or partial shade, you will have nice vegetative growth, but little or no bloom.

A Bougainvillea just doesn't bloom well indoors. If possible, keep your plant outdoors (in the maximum sun available). If placed on a porch, patio or balcony, where the plant receives at least 5 hours of sun each day (afternoon sun is best), then it should bloom just fine.

A bougainvillea likes high humidity just before it comes into bloom. Once bloom has been initiated, then it will tolerate less humidity.

Bougainvillea has two distinct growth cycles:

A vegetative growth period for several weeks -- when new leaves and stems grow.

If the plant receives enough sunlight the plant will form buds during this time. If there is not enough sunlight, the plant will remain in vegetative cycle. A blooming period of several weeks when little or no vegetative growth occurs.

The length of time they will bloom is dependent upon the health of the plant and the environment they are in, the more sun and heat, the better. However, long days and short nights (July and August in Florida) limit a bougainvilleas ability to bloom.

Drainage is Essential

Notice the saucers on the pot and also on the hanging basket. If you use these type containers, I strongly recommend that you take the saucer off -- you will damage bougainvillea roots if the plant stands in water or the water can't drain completely from the pot.

Growing Bougainvilleas

2011-05-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Fertilization

These vines are heavy feeders and respond best to feeding every week or two with ½ strength water soluble fertilizer, e.g., BOUGAIN Bloom Boost from BGI. With high light and consistent feeding, the plants will bloom at least 11 months of the year.

Watering

Bougainvilleas flower best under stress. Keep your bougainvillea slightly on the dry side, and allow the plant to become root bound. In containers they should be watered frequently so the soil feels nicely moist but never soggy. Water thoroughly, then allow to become moderately dry between waterings. They respond extremely well to stress, such as drought and heat, and reward you with excellent bloom. Even with a tolerance for drought, however, you end up watering plants nearly every day because of the small root system. Irrigate enough at each watering so that the water comes through the drain holes in the bottom of the container.

Container Growing

Bougainvilleas do best in large (5-10 gallon) clay containers if grown outdoors (clay containers tend to stay drier, thus stressing the plants) or in large handing baskets. The 10" basket is the commercial standard, but plants will do much better in 12" hanging baskets. Place the containers in full sun, or in a place where they will receive at least ½ day of full sun. If your bougainvillea is not blooming, it probably is not receiving enough sun or fertilizer. These plants thrive in the tropics in areas of low rainfall and intense sun and heat. A well drained bougainvillea potting soil, like BGI Select Quick-Draining Potting & Garden Soil for growing Bougainvillea.

Which Bougainvillea Color "Wows" the Best?

2011-03-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

Here's one for the ages... of all the bougainvillea varieties and colors out there, which color turns the most heads? In YOUR opinion, which is the greatest show stopper? We're providing you with a list of varieties, go visit then come back and comment below!

Video: How to prune and pinch Bougainvillea

2011-01-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

This seems to be one topic many people cannot get enough of... I believe it's 3 parts psychological, 1 part unknowing. You see, the concept of pruning and pinching bougainvillea is about as old as bougainvillea itself. But even as the years elapse, many still don't understand why or how to prune bougainvillea.

The psychological aspect is rather simple to explain: the brains ineptitude to exercise harm, knowingly, is difficult to execute. No one wants to grab shears and hack away at a plant for fear of hurting it or worse, destroying it. But the truth is, is if you want to maximize your bougainvilleas ability to bloom, pinching is essential. Pinching bougainvillea produces leaf-buds, and leaf-buds produce new growth, and bougainvillea only bloom on new growth.

One prunes in order to contain growth. If you like a wild & outward growth, don't prune. If you like a contained, stronger growth then consider pruning your bougainvillea on a set schedule.

The video below, will teach you how to prune your bougainvillea:

Wait a minute? How do I pinch bougainvillea? Ahh... you are a sharp student. We do not have a video for you at this time, however, we do have some high-resolution images and a succinct set of instructions on how to pinch your bougainvillea.

Enjoy!

Bougainvillea Trellis - How to Create Your Own - DIY

2010-12-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

A trellis is an architectural structure, usually made from interwoven pieces of wood, bamboo or metal that is often made to support climbing plants. There are many types of trellis for different places and for different plants, such as sweet peas, grapevines, ivy, bougainvillea, and climbing roses or other support based growing plants.

To create your own bougainvillea trellis, we recommend using wood or woven-wood. The reason we suggest wood is because a metal trellis will get very hot and stunt the growth of the bougainvillea. Remember, bougainvillea need lots of sunlight. Sunlight on metal = hot.

To begin, put one or multiple bougainvillea plants per pot to create your own bougainvillea trellis. Place the trellis structure toward the back of the plant, and tie up the branches to the trellis using tie tape to establish "tie points".

That's it! Bougainvillea are vine and will use the trellis you provide it to encroach and grow. Bougainvillea can grow from 1 - 12 meters tall. The time it takes to make a bougainvillea trellis all depends on how tall of a trellis you are making, the time of year, the variety, AND the quality of care and maintenance that you give it.

To make them flower all along the trellis, just remember to trim/pinch after each bloom cycle all along the plant and not just at the top.

Consider using BOUGAIN®, a specially formulated bougainvillea fertilizer.

Winter Protection for Bougainvillea

2010-12-14T12:02:00.000-08:00

2010 is already ending with a cold "BANG"! So what are you going to do about your precious bougainvillea?

Here are some quick tips on "winterizing bougainvillea".

Bring them Indoors - If you have planted your bougainvillea in the soil outdoors and want to dig it up and move it indoors for the winter, expect the plant to go into dormancy sooner than if it had been in a container -- the root damage as a result of digging will be the cause rather than the cool weather -- but the plant should survive this kind of transplanting.
Hard Prune - it's recommended you do a hard prune before bringing them indoors. Bougainvillea is a vine and new growth (after a prune) starts one or more leafbuds below the cut and not up and down the entire branch. By doing a "hard" prune, next spring, when the plant regrows it will be fuller from the base up.
Plant in a Container - Generally, bougainvillea can be grown in anything that will hold soil and allow proper drainage. Some of the more traditionally used containers include terra cotta (clay) pots, plastic pots, hanging baskets, wire baskets lined with sphagnum moss or fibrous liners, concrete planters, planter boxes, and bushel baskets. Just remember that the container MUST have proper drainage.

Landscaping with Bougainvillea!

2010-11-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

Be the envy of your neighborhood with landscaping that makes a bold statement.

Bougainvillea is probably one of the most often desired plants that can add color to any landscape and make it vibrant with life. Bougainvillea vines bear flowers during the spring-summer seasons and has a tropical flora characteristic with exotic colors that effortlessly add beauty (and awe) to any landscape.

Bougainvillea can grow in almost any soil, because they are a true xeriscape plant. This makes it an ideal choice for landscaping, particularly for those that aren't green thumbs or simply do not have the time to upkeep their gardens. Check out the "best climate for bougainvillea".

Like all tropical plants, bougainvillea require a lot of sunlight (or a light-level of at least 4000 f.c.). The more light, the more vibrant the yield of color. You can also add a bougainvillea fertilizer specially formulate to boost growth, color, and bloom.

Jewelry + Bougainvillea = Great Holiday Gift!

2010-10-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

We all know the holidays are around the corner... and we all know we need unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that will certainly be remembered... why not gift "out of the box" this year with beautiful bougainvillea jewelry?

We guarantee that you're gift recipient will absolutely adore any set of bougainvillea earrings or bougainvillea necklace combination. Best of all, if you live in the continental U.S., BGI will ship it to you for FREE.

So let's recap, shall we?

One of a kind great gift
Memorable
Inexpensive
In-time for the holidays
Free Shipping!

A recipe for success. Go. Now. Don't wait another minute.

Bougainvillea Jewelry

Bougainvillea Decor? Yes Please!

2010-10-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

We'll let these pictures do the talking... but don't for one second think that bougainvillea don't provide the wow factor your property may be secretly calling you for.

Bougainvillea Questions & Answers

2010-09-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

When in doubt, ask. When in need, ask an expert.

If you're looking for expert advice from individuals with vast bougainvillea experience, look no further than the Bougainvillea Community Forum.

BGI's community forum is plush with information from bougainvillea blooming issues to how to best extract magnificent color from your favorite bougainvillea variety.

And even if you're not looking for an answer, perhaps you can share your experience and expertise with others seeking to tap into your wisdom.

Don't wait another minute, go create your bougainvillea community account to get started!

Over 20 Bougainvillea Varities & Products

2010-09-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Bougainvillea Growers International (BGI) has over 20 varieties of bougainvillea? They even pioneer a series of hybrids known as "Flavored ICE®".

A quick glance at the history of BGI and one can surely see why they are the nation's leading bougainvillea wholesaler.

BGI was founded in 1994 on 5 acres with a vision of turning a niche market into a global phenomenon, bringing color and beauty to landscapes and bougainvillea lovers everywhere. Today, their wholesale nursuries total a whopping 67 acres.

It's not just variety of species, but variety of product as well. Here's a list of both to get your bougainvillea juices flowing:

Bougainvillea Varieties

Bougainvillea Products

Bougainvillea Growth & Bloom Cycles

2010-08-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

It's important to understand a bougainvillea's growth pattern, as it is not in constant bloom.

The bougainvillea has two distinct growth cycles:

1. A vegetative growth period for several weeks -- when new leaves and stems grow. If the plant receives enough sunlight, the plant will form buds during this time. If there is not enough sunlight, the plant will remain in vegetative cycle.

2. A blooming period of several weeks when little or no vegetative growth occurs. The length of time they will display color is dependent upon the health of the plant and the environment they are in; the more sun and heat, the better. However, long days and short nights (July and August in Florida) limit a bougainvillea's ability to bloom.

Learn More: Bougainvillea 101, Every thing you need to know about Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea Teatime Pixie® Bonsai

2010-07-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

This pink, Bougainvillea Teatime Pixie® bonsai can be grown in its 6-inch ceramic bonsai pot for several years before needing re-potting.

This variety of bougainvillea hardly needs any trimming or maintenance to stay colorful and showy. Frost-sensitive, potted bougainvillea can be wintered over indoors during cool weather. For best blooming, bougainvillea must be grown outdoors and receive at least 5 hours of direct sun per day. Water at the first sign of wilt, and when re-potting, use only bonsai soil in a pot with excellent drainage.

Botanical Name : Bougainvillea Teatime Pixie®
Variety/Cultivar: Teatime Pixie®
Tiny, pink bracts and compact foliage
Height of bonsai will remain approximately 6-7 In. tall
Needs minimal water once established
Can be wintered-over indoors in cooler climates
Fertilize monthly with BGI's Bougain® for best blooming results
Trim after each bloom cycle for best branching and blooming
Enjoyed as a perennial in the Southern states, flowering most heavily October through June
Enjoyed as an annual in the Northern states, flowering most heavily April through July

Visit Bougainvillea Growers International for all your Bougainvillea needs!

Bougain® Bougainvillea Fertilizer now at Home Depot

2010-07-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Bougainvillea bloom better with Bougain®, the best-selling bougainvillea fertilizer in the country. Specially formulated for the distinct growing and blooming needs of bougainvillea is now available at your local Home Depot!

Great for both young and mature bougainvillea, and in all sizes and varieties. Each jar includes a measuring scoop. Sold as a 2-pack, so you will receive two (2) 2lb. jars.

Ideal for all varieties of bougainvillea
Achieve maximum color and vibrancy on your bougainvillea plant
Easy to use - no mixing
Quick results
Guaranteed not to burn when used as directed
Once a month application
MFG Brand Name : Bougain®
MFG Model # : F26842-2
MFG Part # : F26842-2

How long do Bougainvillea Blooms last?

2010-06-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Bougainvillea Growth cycles

The bougainvillea has two distinct growth cycles:

1. A vegetative growth period for several weeks -- when new leaves and stems grow. If the plant receives enough sunlight, the plant will form buds during this time. If there is not enough sunlight, the plant will remain in vegetative cycle.

2. A blooming period of several weeks when little or no vegetative growth occurs. The length of time they will display color is dependent upon the health of the plant and the environment they are in; the more sun and heat, the better. However, long days and short nights (July and August in Florida) limit a bougainvillea's ability to bloom.

Watering Bougainvillea, are you doing it right? How to!

2010-06-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Watering bougainvillea is as simple as looking at your plant.

Wilting is the best indicator that watering is needed. No need to check for soil dryness or count the days that you previously watered. Just look at the foliage or bracts...and if they're starting to droop a little, then it's time to water. If you let them droop, then wilt, and then wait a couple more days to water, then it may be too late and the plant will start to drop foliage. Take care not to let your bougainvillea get bone-dry, as this will cause bracts and foliage to drop. When it is time to water, do it thoroughly – making sure that every inch of root gets watered.

The amount of watering needed is directly related to the climate, soil type, plant size and weather conditions. However, there are some guidelines you can use.

Bougainvillea are drought-tolerant plants, and require very little water once established. Bring the soil to visual dryness between waterings.

When choosing an area to plant your bougainvillea, remember that higher ground is best - as this makes water drain AWAY from the roots. Avoid constant, light, and frequent watering as this will promote a weak and shallow root system and prevent any major coloring on your bougainvillea. Be careful not to allow your bougainvillea to sit in water as this may cause bracts to drop or stop blooming altogether.

If your bougainvillea is grown in a pot – make sure drainage holes are unobstructed, and toss that water dish... bougainvillea do not like wet feet! Also make sure you are using the right fertilizer for your bougainvillea plants.

Ambiance is Right

2010-05-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

When you think of ambiance, you think of an environments surrounding influence. An influence that sets the mood just right. She said, "there was an atmosphere of excitement!"

If setting the mood is what you are good at, then consider pairing your gardening approach with Ambiance (she's also known as James Walker). Ambiance is a very fast grower and her buds are deep orange at first but matures to a brilliant hot pink as you can see in the collage above.

Her bracts are large, pointed, slightly iridescent and grow in massive clusters.

Sundown Orange

2010-05-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

Three shades of hot color distinguish this vigorous bougainvillea, with orange, coral and pink blossoms combined on the same tropical vine - she's adequately known as "Sundown Orange".

Her unique bracts open as deep orange, then turn to coral, and finally mature into a salmon-pink. Her tri-coloring works so well with the color schemes of Floridian homes and architecture; she’s quickly becoming the favorite among weekend gardeners and landscape designers.

Her low water usage is key to water-conscious landscapes.

Vera Deep Deep Purple! (P.P. #10950)

2010-04-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Vera Deep Purple P.P. #10950 is a patented variety from Europe that is an exquisite neon fuchsia color. It’s unlike any bougainvillea you’ve ever seen - you have to see it to believe it! Best of all, it’s thorn-less and dwarf! Bracts are compact, and grow in a torch-like effect. Stunning as a mass-planting for bougainvillea ground-cover.

White Bougainvillea

2010-03-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

What do Penn State football games & Miss Alice have in common?

Miss Alice and Penn State football games are well known for their ability to "white out". Although, Penn State usually reserves its white-outs for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Miss Alice has no reservations.

Miss Alice is hands-down, one of our personal favorites. How often do you see the crisp and clean feeling of white bracts in landscaping? Not to often... picture a community entrance engulfed with Miss Alice; breath-taking.

She’s a giant-bract (meaning the white, flowering part is very large compared to other bougainvillea bracts), semi-dwarf, thorn-less (sort-of) variety due to her compact, slow-growing habit, and extremely low thorn count.

Pure white bracts pour out and can be enjoyed year-round, and can be maintained to stay bushy and low to the ground. Her bright white bracts grow in large clusters and are very large, long, and elliptic. Leaves are medium to dark green, long, and tapering to a point.

At full maturity, she's 2-3’ tall and wide. Although you can prune her to stay small and compact.

Miss Alice is a great candidate for xeriscaping, as with most bougainvillea variety, she requires minimal water once established. She's evergreen and flourishes year-round in the Southeastern U.S.

Miami Pink Bougainvillea

2010-03-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

Want an explosive color? Miami Pink-it.
Want eye-catching vibrance? Miami Pink-it.

Miami Pink is a vigorous grower with deep hot pink bracts. It's leaves are mid to dark green and ovate.

Because of its vigorous growth, its best suited for use with trellis, and also in standard-form. With periodic pruning, this variety can be trained into bush and hanging baskets.

When it's mature, it can grow to 20-30’ tall X 6-9’ wide. However, you can prune to keep it smaller.

After each blooming cycle (approximately every 4-6 weeks), trim or pinch the soft tips of young plants stems to encourage new growth. Pinching means removing the growing tip. This will create multiple offshoots, thicken the plant’s appearance, and yield a more colorful bougainvillea.

In the Southeastern U.S., Miami Pink flowers most heavily from October through June, but can flower sporadically year-round if dry conditions exist. Evergreen.

Helping plants cope with heat

2010-02-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

One thing we should never take for granted is that a garden keeps growing. While current dry climatic conditions may restrict some garden tasks, life in a garden goes on. And so our gardens call us to continue, as there is still so much we need to do.
l Take steps to save your most valued plants. Be they gifts from friends and relatives, collectable rarities, or your favourite flowers, etc, you may consider moving them to pots, or giving them preferential mulching and watering to survive.

l Insert watering tubes next to important shrubs. These can be made from two litre cold drink bottles or sawn-off sections of PVC pipe. Water poured down the watering tubes reaches the root zone without running away from the plant.

l By pruning or lightly trimming shrubs and fillers, you regain a balanced ratio between roots and foliage. Less water will be needed for a slightly smaller plant. Don’t cut back too much, as this will stimulate too much new growth (which requires more water).
l Keep your plants in good condition. It is still the growing season, so you should still be feeding. Starving plants will be under even more stress, which makes them susceptible to diseases. Make use of slow release fertilisers like Bounceback, Sudden Impact, organic 3:1:5 or chemical 3:1:5 (26) SR. Bonemeal is a great fertiliser for hardening off plants, without making them shoot out too much. You can also use soluble fertilisers such as Seagro or Nitrosol, which are not as strong as standard granular feeds.

l Cover large tracts of exposed soil in beds. Exposure to wind, and the baking effect of sun damages surface roots, and leads to evaporation of valuable water. Plant water- wise ground covers such as portulaca, verbena, aptenia or felicia close together, to help shade and shelter the soil around your plants. Alternatively, make use of a thick mulch of bark chips, gravel, pine needles or dry grass clippings to cover exposed soil.
l Construct ridges, rises and berms around plants or whole beds to trap water around your plants. These “dams” encourage water to soak into the soil directly around the roots.

l Add some joy to life in your garden. A small pot on the patio or at the front door is easy to maintain. Use some water-wise flowering plants to colour your life.

Pelargoniums, bougainvillea and lavender will bring a smile back to your garden.

Bougainvillea, Indoor Performers

2010-02-10T13:33:00.000-08:00

Exotic orchids, the neon Bougainvillea and Rex Begonias are certain to brighten winter days

Don't despair if your green thumb turns a nasty shade of black when it comes to caring for indoor plants. You will be gratified to know that it's often not your fault -- it's more likely the tricky requirements of the plant or the inhospitable winter conditions within a Canadian house that cause your plants to shrivel and die.

Then again, it could be your fault because the natural tendency is to overwater and drown unhappy plants. Like people, plants' roots that are constantly wet or bone-dry either get mouldy and rot or become dehydrated and shut down.

Which means if you are a cursory gardener then many but, happily, not all indoor plants are for you.

You may already know that the most seductive flowering plants, including gardenias, exotic orchids (like the Lady slipper or Cattleya varieties), azaleas, hibiscus, oleander, mandevilla and bougainvillea need experienced and dedicated care.

Some need very consistent conditions. Gardenias are famous for dropping their buds and flowers if temperatures fluctuate and azaleas will droop and sulk almost immediately if inadvertently exposed to direct sun. Others need brutal mid-winter haircuts. All flowering tropical plants cannot sustain their summer abundance through our meagre indoor winters, while all need owners who are not faint of heart when it comes to insects, especially the most common of sunny pests -- spider mites and scales.

But the news is not all bad. The tropical plant world has responded to the needs of indoor gardeners by producing more plants with outstanding foliage, indestructible constitutions and reliable blossoms.

Flowering plants, including clivia, streptocarpus, the phalaeonopsis orchid, hoya and stephanotis, citrus plants and the ubiquitous African violet are all easy to care for and relatively dependable bloomers.

While the African violet, streptocarpus and phalaeonopsis will flower for relatively long periods of time throughout the year, others are less productive, but still spectacular.

The clivia (named after Lady Clive, so pronounced clive-ia) has big strappy leaves that give way to one or more single stems that bear a cluster of striking orange blooms once a year. And if you ever see a yellow one, grab it -- it's very rare and as beautiful as it is expensive. This plant likes to be root-bound, so don't repot it. And when you do, only move to a slightly larger pot, keeping it there until the container is about to bust.

The streptocarpus has soft, fuzzy leaves, much like its relative the African violet, with flowers that come in various colours, including dark purple, blue and pink. In a bright window, the dancing, orchid-like blooms are held high above its arching leaves and flowering seems to go on and on. If you keep it deadheaded, carefully watered (avoid the leaves and water from below) and moderately fertilized, I guarantee that this gem will become one of your favourites.

Some of the newest and most interesting foliage plants on the market include the newer forms of philodendron, including autumn (copper new leaves with red stems) or moonlight (chartreuse young leaves that darken to green as they mature). Philodendrons are great low-light plants, requiring some support as they grow vertically and regular wiping to keep their broad leaves shiny.

If you love chartreuse foliage, you could also try the so-called neon pothos. This is a trailing plant very similar in form to the philodendron, but would rather trail than climb. It has bright neon yellow leaves and will thrive under the most inhospitable of conditions and care. If you love the golden sweet potato vine, and grow it as an annual, this tropical version of summer sunshine is for you.

My personal favourites among easy-to-grow indoor plants are rex begonias. Unlike the tuberous or fibrous begonias, that are grown mainly for their colourful flowers. The rex varieties are superstars because of the kaleidoscopic colours of their leaves.

With names like escargot or chocolate cream, you'd think they were good enough to eat. All you need is moderate light (an east or north window; no direct sun please), some humidity (try a humidifier or place your pot on a pebble tray -- a saucer with a layer of pebbles that acts to raise your pot above a constant supply of evaporating water) and good air circulation to avoid mildew. You have instant colour in the middle of the winter blahs.

Florida plants and gardens are brown and crispy after the cold

2010-01-26T07:56:00.000-08:00

In the grim bloodbath that was Florida vs. Cold, Florida lay gasping in a pathetic shambles. Drive around, look out your window, sniff the putrid burn, and you'll know the carnage.

Grass, once green and lush, looks like dry fettucini. Palm trees have all the vitality of a paper lunch bag sprayed with starch. Leaves have the audacity to crunch under our shoes.

"It looks pretty sad," said Irene Liporto, whose pink and orange hibiscus plants are crispy and angry at the universe. Her crown of thorns have no will to live. Her pink and white bougainvillea — the prettiest thing in history — is a shadow of its former self.

"Oh, yeah, that's one of my favorites, and it looks terrible," said Liporto, who lives in St. Petersburg's Old Northeast neighborhood. "Right now, I sort of want to blindfold myself so I don't see it. It's kind of sad. I garden. I put in a lot of work."

Her pruning pal and neighbor Sue Skaggs commiserates. She has lived on Bay Street for 40 years. Her garden hasn't done this kind of death march since the 1970s, when she lost her orchids and mango trees.
Some people are frantically hosing down the brown with off-limits water.

"We've had an increase in violations in the last couple of days," said Terrie Grace, who is in charge of Pinellas County's water restriction program. The rules still apply. Same goes in other Tampa Bay area counties.
Overwatering your plants is bad anyway, experts say. For now, it's best to stand by. Don't massacre dead leaves with shears or drown them in a fit of panic. Have faith that life springs eternal.

The Old Northeast pals did a scratch test on a bougainvillea, running a fingernail over the gross brown branch. Underneath: a miraculous streak of green.

Bougainvillea: Top 5 Questions

2010-01-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

Bougainvillea is a perennial vine that can grow to 30 feet, depending on the variety. It needs full sun, is root hardy and will regrow in spring. Its bracts "bloom" May-December on new wood. Heavy pruning, lack of water and fertilizer low in nitrogen encourage blooming.

Q: When can I prune my bougainvillea?
A: You can prune hard most any time. I've known gardeners to prune bougainvillea to the ground, but you might remove 1/3 to 2/3 of the stems instead. Then snip the branches in the future to keep it in bounds.
If a freeze threatens, protect tender new growth and mulch the roots.

Many grow bougainvilleas in containers and prune hard in winter before bringing the potted plants indoors for protection. Others prune hard in spring and then prune back to the edge of the container/basket after each flowering cycle to shape the plant. Or they pinch the soft tips after a flowering cycle to encourage branching.
Bougainvillea blooms on new wood. The more you prune and pinch to encourage growth, the more color you get.

Q. How do I prune my bougainvillea?
A. Bougainvillea is a vine that drops its leaves in winter and puts on new foliage when warm weather returns in spring. Some grow this plant in containers or baskets; others grow it as a large vine with support.
You can prune the plant when and how much you like. Pinch the soft tips of young plants to promote a bushier form. After flowering, prune branches back hard, to the edge of the container or basket, to shape.

Q: I didn't cover my bougainvilleas during the freeze. Should I prune them back now or wait until the threat of freezing temperatures is past?
A: I like to wait to prune, since it usually means I start the growing season with a larger plant. Freeze-damaged wood provides some protection for live wood further down the stems. If you don't care about this, you can prune now; but mulch well to protect the roots during future cold snaps.

Q: When can I transplant a bougainvillea?
A: It is safe to transplant in winter if it can be protected during a freeze. To play it safe, transplant in spring. Be careful with the fragile roots. Mulch.

Q: Why won't my bougainvillea bloom?
A: Bougainvillea, many say, color best when somewhat pot-bound. Those planted in the garden have plenty of space for roots to stretch, giving you lots of green growth. But eventually it should color.
Most agree that the bracts color best when the plants are subjected to dry periods.

To force bougainvillea into bloom for nursery sales, growers often withhold water for up to three months. The poor plant thinks it's dying. Then the grower waters heavily, the plant thinks it has one last chance to propagate itself, so it produces a volume of flowers to launch seed for future plants.

To encourage flowering: Water and fertilize, but not heavily, during spring and summer. If a plant wilts because it is too dry, give it some water. Use a high-potash fertilizer, such as a bougainvillea fertilizer, rather than a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

Apply about a tablespoon of hibiscus fertilizer every three to four weeks. Or use a specially formulated bougainvillea fertilizer. A tablespoon of Epsom salts when you fertilize can be beneficial, too.

Stop fertilizing during late fall and winter; water only when you see a slight wilt. Large, container-grown plants can be pruned so they can more easily be stored in the garage to protect the roots from below-freezing weather. Or prune plants in early spring. Return potted bougainvillea to a full-sun location in spring and resume monthly fertilizing.

Prune long trailing stems back 20-30 inches to encourage more color — the flowers and bracts form on new wood.

Plants will flower for weeks, then rest before blooming again.

Some bougainvillea varieties benefit, too, from long nights and short days and bloom best in fall. Those gardeners who have exhausted all tricks to encourage color should make sure the reluctant plant is not exposed to light at night. You might just have a variety that is a fall performer.

What you see aren't actually the flowers. You see the colorful bracts or petal-like leaves. They hold their color for an extremely long time, which is why they are such great sale plants.

BGI Bougainvillea Soil

2010-01-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

BGI Select Soil for Bougainvillea

BGI Select Bonsai Soil 2lb

Professional Bonsai Soil Mix 2lb

Tropical / Subtropical Mix for Bonsai 2lb

Conifer Soil Mix for Bonsai 2lb

Red Akadama Japanese Bonsai Soil 2lb

Brown Akadama Japanese Bonsai Soil 2lb

Kyoto Moss Spores

More Bougainvillea Jewelry! Bougainvillea Earrings - WHITE

2010-01-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

Bougainvillea bracts are carefully pressed at the peak of their vibrancy, encapsulated in clear resin, and polished to a supreme finish, making them water-proof and durable.

Each set of earrings is a unique work of art reflecting a personality of their own, and adds an air of playfulness and natural beauty to any individual.

Earrings are lightweight and vary in size, but are on average 1.5"H X 1"W.

Color is White.

Each set of earrings arrives boxed in a decorative silver-foil box, so it's ready to send immediately as a gift! A thoughtful, uncommon gift for anyone who loves flowers, nature, or unique jewelry.

Handcrafted by jewelry artisans in Montreal.

Ships FREE USPS Priority Mail.

Bougainvillea Earrings in White - Order Now

Care & Maintenance: Helen Johnson Dwarf Problems

2009-12-29T13:29:00.000-08:00

With support from Bougainvillea Expert: Kellie P.

Question/Concern
Several weeks ago I purchased 15 BGI Helen Johnson Dwarfs for planting in South Florida. At the time of purchase the leaves were intensly green with heavy blossoms. I have planted them in a row, hoping for a colorful and manageable hedge. They receive direct sun for 60-70% of the day. I have watered them every other day, trying not to either under or over water. For the most part the blossoms have all dropped. In several cases the leaves have also dropped exposing bare stems. In two plants the leaves are turning yellow and dropping. What I am doing wrong?

Answer/Solution
It sounds like you're over-watering them. Reduce the watering to only "as needed". If you live in South Florida, you'll remember that we had heavy, frequent rains for the past week. During those rainy spells, there's no need to water your bougainvillea. Check out our watering section of our website for details. In addition to the rains, the cooler weather is also playing a part in the thinning of bougainvillea plants. With night time temperatures in the low 40's and 50's...it's bound to have an effect on new plantings - especially smaller plantings like your 2 gallons. It looks like better weather is ahead so your bougainvillea should come back soon. Fertilize with Bougain, water only as needed, and if we get some better, dry weather, you should start to see new buds in 2-3 weeks.

Bougainvillea Jewelry

2009-12-22T06:42:00.000-08:00

Hand-crafted by artisans in Montreal, each bougainvillea is a one-of-a-kind work of art. As unique as a snowflake or fingerprint, each bougainvillea varies as found in nature.

Bougainvillea bracts are carefully pressed at the peak of their vibrancy, encapsulated in clear resin, and polished to a supreme finish, making them water-proof and durable.

Each pendant is a unique work of art reflecting a personality of their own, and adds an air of playfulness and natural beauty to any individual.

Pendants are lightweight and vary in size, but are on average 1.5"H X 1"W.

Color ranges from pink (both dark and light), fuchsia, and purple.

Pendant has silver hardware, and hangs on a 17" silver thread-like chain that is almost invisible when worn, so it appears that the pendant is "floating". The chain is adjustable to 18.5" length.

Each pendant necklace arrives boxed in a decorative silver-foil box, so it's ready to send immediately as a gift! A thoughtful, uncommon gift for anyone who loves color, flowers, nature, or unique jewelry.

Order Your Bougainvillea Jewelry Today!

DVD, Bougainvillea Magic

2009-12-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

This highly informative DVD was filmed on location at BGI. It contains all the care and maintenance secrets you need to grow incredible, blooming bougainvillea.

Video Length: 19 min, 35 sec
Buy DVD: Bougainvillea Magic

Brighten Up Your Life with Bougainvillea

2009-12-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

This soft cover book of 98 pages is sure to influence your love for bougainvillea, once more.

American Nurseryman Review

“This book is designed not only for the specialist horticulturist but for the weekend occasional gardener as well. It has a step-by-step approach that encourages rather than intimidates the average casual gardener who likes to potter around.

Eric Simon provides an abundance of colored photographs of these versatile plants set around the house and in public places. This is an imaginative approach to demonstrate that with some creativity, a house can be transformed into a home and a public place, a park. These photographs from his own collection, taken over the years, add a personal touch to this book, compiled and written with patience, knowledge and good humor.

This book is not so much about the physiology or the history of the bougainvillea. It is rather a book that is dedicated to helping the keen tropical gardener get the very best out of his collection, from plant selection to planting, pruning and all the maintenance work necessary to promote new growth.”

Book Contents:

Foreword
Introduction
History
How to Grow
Climate/Site Conditions
Soil Preparation
Planting
Ground Planting
Watering
Fertilizing
Beware of Wandering Roots and Watershoots
Pruning
Propagation
Stem Cutting
Wedge Grafting
Root Grafting
Tip Layering
Practical Tips & Interesting Observations
Making a Successful Living With Bougainvillea
Landscaping With Bougainvillea
Where to See Bougainvillea
The Common Varieties
Acknowledgments

Written by Eric Simon, horticultural consultant to the property development sector in Kuala Lumpur, President of the Selangor and Federal Territory Gardening Society, and active committee member of the Orchid Society of Malaysia.

Buy The Book: Brighten Up Your Life with Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea Standard

2009-12-08T07:07:00.000-08:00

A bougainvillea standard or bougainvillea tree is great for is great for landscaping. Bougainvillea standard have strong, twisted (braided) trunks that make it durable and straight. For an optimal look, ensure your bougainvillea standard is a minimum of 3 to 4 feet in height before planting.

In some cases, a good stake is needed for support until the trunk is thick enough to support the crown - this may take several years.

You can purchase bougainvillea standard from Bougainvillea Growers International.

Bougainvillea Availability by Video

2009-12-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

Bougainvillea Growers International is revolutionizing the way wholesalers, landscape architects, and garden centers buy wholesale bougainvillea.

The days of spreadsheets and static data are virtually gone, instead, get a live video representation of what is available for you to buy. Judge your purchasing power by the quality of the inventory, not by the name or price.

Learn more about BGI's Bougainvillea Availability videos.

You can also learn more about bougainvillea by watching their product profile videos.

Rid Common Pests & Diseases from your Bougainvillea

2009-11-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

A part of the bougainvillea’s appeal is that they are relatively disease and pest-free plants. It is NOT common for your bougainvillea to be affected by these pests and diseases if you follow simple rules for bougainvillea plant care, and fertilize with Bougain® which contains a significant amount of micro-nutrients – vital for healthy, blooming bougainvillea. Visit this page which contains most (but not all) common pests/diseases that may affect your bougainvillea.

Aphids (Greenfly, Blackfly, or Plant Lice)
Caterpillars (Bougainvillea Looper)
Leaf Miners (Moths, Flies, Beetles, Wasps)
Scale Insects (Parasites, Mealybugs)
Snails & Slugs
Mites (Spider Mites)
Thrips
Whitefly
Common Diseases
Deficiency Signs

On the rare occurrences that your bougainvillea experiences pest problems or disease, always try the least toxic method of pest control as your first step. If you use chemical pesticides to control insect pests, you will also kill natural predators. If you choose a chemical control, follow directions and guidelines closely and always wear protective clothing and safety gear including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, neoprene gloves, goggles and a respirator. Chemical pesticides are not recommended for use inside the home.

Bougainvillea History

2009-11-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

History

A native to coastal Brazil, the bougainvillea was discovered in 1768 in Rio de Janeiro by French naturalist Dr. Philibert Commerçon (also sometimes spelled Commerson). The plant is named after his close friend and ship's admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who commanded the ship La Boudeuse that sailed around the world between 1766-1769, and in which Commerçon was a passenger.

Twenty years after Commerçon's discovery, it was first published as 'Buginvillea' in Genera Plantarium by A.L. de Jusseau in 1789. The genus was subsequently split in several ways until it was finally corrected to 'Bougainvillea' in the Index Kewensis in the 1930s. Originally, B. spectabilis and B. glabra were hardly differentiated until the mid 1980s when botanists recognized them to be totally distinct species. In early 19th century, these two species were the first to be introduced into Europe, and soon, nurseries in France and England did a thriving trade providing specimens to Australia and other faraway countries. Meanwhile, Kew Gardens distributed plants it had propagated to British colonies throughout the world. Soon thereafter, an important event in the history of bougainvillea took place with the discovery of a crimson bougainvillea in Cartagena, a Spanish port in the Mediterranean, by Mrs. R.V. Butt. Originally thought to be a distinct species, it was named B. buttiana in her honour. However, it was later discovered to be a natural hybrid of a variety of B. glabra and possibly B. peruviana - a "local pink bougainvillea" from Peru. Natural hybrids were soon found to be common occurrences all over the world. For instance, around the 1930s, when the three species were grown together, many hybrid crosses were created almost spontaneously in East Africa, India, the Canary Islands, Australia, North America, and the Philippines.

Scientific classification

Kingdom - Plantae
Division - Magnoliophyta
Class - Magnoliopsida
Order - Caryophyllales
Family - Nyctaginaceae
Genus - Bougainvillea
Species - Bougainvillea spectabilis
Bougainvillea glabra
Bougainvillea peruviana
Cultivar (or variety)

Note about Species: Many of today's bougainvillea are the result of interbreeding among only three out of the eighteen South American species recognized by botanists.

Note about Cultivars: Currently, there are over 300 varieties of bougainvillea around the world. Because many of the hybrids have been crossed over several generations, it's difficult to identify their respective origins. Natural mutations seem to occur spontaneously throughout the world; wherever large numbers of plants are being produced, bud-sports will occur. This had led to multiple names for the same cultivar (or variety) and has added to the confusion over the names of bougainvillea cultivars.

Bougainvillea Cultivation and Uses

2009-11-23T05:39:00.000-08:00

Bougainvilleas are popular ornamental plants in most areas with warm climates, including Indonesia, Aruba, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the Mediterranean region, the Caribbean, Mexico, South Africa, Kuwait,and the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and southern Texas.

Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been selected, including nearly thornless shrubs. Some Bougainvillea cultivars are sterile, and are propagated from cuttings.

Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. They grow best in moist fertile soil. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water to flower. As indoor houseplants in temperate regions, they can be kept small by bonsai techniques. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay.

When should bougainvillea be repotted, and with what?

2009-11-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

Repotting Bougainvillea

A bougainvillea blooms best when pot-bound. So, do not be tempted to repot unless you must. I have found that it is best to leave the bougainvillea plant in its original container until the roots have replaced all of the soil and you can't keep the plant well watered.

Soil suitable for Bougainvillea

Bougainvilleas will thrive in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained and fertile. Soils that work for other plants you grow will be fine for your bougainvillea. It is important to select a growing medium that drains well but that will also help keep plants from drying out between waterings. Keeping containers moist yet well drained is the most important key to successful bougainvillea culture in containers.

Field soils are generally unsatisfactory for growing bougainvillea in containers. This is primarily because soils do not provide the aeration, drainage and water holding capacity required. To improve this situation several "soil-less" growing media have been developed.

The best growing mixture is one that is soil-less. Soil-less media are free of any disease pathogens, insect pests, and weed seeds. They are also generally lightweight and porous, allowing for a well-drained yet moisture-retentive mix. Premixed growing media are available from garden centers. However, be careful not to use peat or peatlite mixes alone. By themselves, these media tend to become compacted, too lightweight, and hard to wet. My greatest problem with peat/peatlite mixes is when the soil dries completely, the rootball will pull away from the side of the pot, and it is almost impossible to completely wet the soil again -- the water simply runs down the side of the container and drains out the bottom. If your plant dries out and you use this type of mix, to re-wet it, let the pot sit in a pail of water until the soil ball is completely wet.

Mix Your Own Soil

You can create your own blend of soil mix by using peat moss, vermiculite or perlite, sterile potting soil or composted soil mix, and coarse builder's sand. Note: Ph of the soil is very important. If you mix your own soil, then you should consider the following: Bougainvillea plant prefer a pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range.

Some commercially prepared growing mixtures have an added wetting agent which is a great help when it comes to planting and watering. You may also consider adding water-absorbing polymers or "gel" that absorbs and retains up to 400 times its weight in water. Polymers are nontoxic and last for a number of years before breaking down in the environment.

Here is the mix I used in my nursery for bougainvillea:

70% Horticultural peat moss
20% Pine Bark (old bark) - In North Florida, pine bark is a cheap and readily available ingredient.
10% River Sand.

The amount of lime added was always based on soil testing and it varies.

A commonly used soil-less mixture:

1 part garden soil (not clay)
1 part washed builder's sand, perlite, or pumice
1 part horticultural peat moss
1 quart steamed bonemeal per bushel (8 gallons) of mixture
1 pint dolomite lime per bushel of soil mix

Mix all ingredients thoroughly by shoveling them from one pile to another at least three times. Pulverize any large lumps or clods as you mix. When thoroughly mixed add sufficient water to moisten the mixture and store in a sheltered spot until you are ready to use it. A garbage can, wastebasket, or large bucket makes a handy storage container.

This general potting mixture provides a suitable growth medium for most container plants, including vegetables, bedding plants, geraniums, begonias, fuchsias, and ivies. But, for bougainvillea I found that the 70%peat, 20%pine bark and 10%sand with the amount of dolomite lime always depending upon soil testing -- however, you should be able to use the above mixture with excellent results for your bougainvillea.

Before using your mix to repot plants, be sure it is damp. Totally dry soil mixture is difficult to handle and may damage tender roots before the plant is watered.

Table 1. Commonly used soil-less mixtures.

Volume Ratio Components

2:1 Peat, Perlite
2:1:1 Peat, Perlite, Vermiculite
3:1:1 Peat, Perlite, Vermiculite
2:1:1 Peat, Bark, Sand
2:1:1 Peat, Bark, Perlite
3:1:1 Peat, Bark, Sand

Bougainvillea Fertilizer

2009-11-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

BOUGAIN® is quickly becoming the favorite plant food among bougainvillea enthusiasts. Not only is it formulated to dramatically increase blooms, it addresses the bougainvillea’s Achilles heel - their thin and brittle root system. It is our pleasure to introduce BOUGAIN®, the only bougainvillea-specific fertilizer on the market today. Ten years of research and testing led to perfecting our patented specialty food that dramatically increases blooms, strengthens roots, increases color vibrancy in both foliage and bracts, and produces an all-over healthy bougainvillea.

Scent-sational: An evening surrounded by tropical splendour

2009-10-13T07:23:00.001-07:00

By Steve Whysall, Vancouver sun

Walking into Umberto Garbuio's garden at night is like walking into a perfume shop: the garden is drenched in the most heavenly fragrances.

At this time of year, Garbuio's garden in Burnaby is probably the most fragrant garden in Canada. It is, after all, almost October and yet his garden is brimming with some of most heavily scented plants on the planet.

And it is not merely the rare and exotic nature of the plants that make this garden unique, but the size of them: they are, by any standards, very large, mature specimens indeed.

There are towering angel's trumpets (Brugmansia) everywhere. Peach-coloured ones. Yellow ones. And an enormous white variety, that is at least four meters (13 feet) high and is weighed down with dozens of super-fragrant blooms.

The scent of these frost-tender plants, which are native to South America, is so intense it spills over into the street and often stops people in their tracks as they walk along the sidewalk.

In the back yard, along with exotic plants, such as blue plumbago and the Congo Cockatoo plant (Impatiens niamniamensis), Garbuio has at least half a dozen pots filled with the massively fragrant night-scented jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum), which also goes by the name Lady of the Night.

Indigenous to the West Indies, it has beautiful, white tube-shaped flowers that are bunched together in dense, loose clusters. These flowers release the full-strength of their fragrance at night. The sweetness of the scent is described as "intoxicating" by Gardino, a Florida nursery specializing in rare and unusual plants.

In some parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand and parts of the southern U.S., cestrum has become an invasive, nuisance plant and is regarded as a weed.

But here in Canada, it is a tender specialty, much sought after by collectors of exotic plants, and needs to be brought into a frost-free place for winter. Garbuio keeps his in a heated greenhouse during the cold season.

Later this month, Garbuio's Queen of the Night plant (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) - also known as the Dutchman's pipe cactus - will burst into flower.

These large, white flowers also have a sensational fragrance.

Native to South America, the plant blooms just once a year, producing extraordinary flowers, which can measure 20 cm (eight inches) across.

They open at night, usually after 8 p.m. Enthusiasts say it almost always opens on a night with a full moon. Once open, the flowers, which are made up of a dense ruffle of soft white petals, breathe an unforgettable honey-like fragrance into the air.

In past years, Garbuio has organized special Queen-of-the-Night parties, so friends can be present to witness this once a year spectacular.

And being Italian, he supplies his guest with his home-made wine to toast the beauty of the blooms.

To complete the tropical feel of his garden, Garbuio also grows dozens of fuchsias, bougainvillea, pelargoniums, canna lilies, hardy banana trees, windmill palms, cactus and succulents.

He also has one of the largest Italian fig trees in B.C. plus grape and kiwi vines that produce bumper crops.

"My grandson once told me I had too many plants, so I told him he had too many toys, and he said, 'No, I don't' and I said, 'Neither do I."

It is true, however, that many of his plants have to be carefully packed away in a warm greenhouse for winter. That is a lot of work every October.

Still, Garbuio, 77, who has been garden all his life, says the pleasure he gets from his fantastically fragrant garden is worth all the effort.

swhysall@vancouversun.com

Grow Bougainvillea; add color and beauty to the landscape

2009-10-08T22:51:00.000-07:00

Bougainvillea tree, the very name reminds you of the fuchsia flowers delicately hanging from the boughs of a thorny creeper. Whether the fragile beauty of the pink bougainvillea flowers or the white patina of the bougainvillea blooms, it is the very delicate sheen of the plant, which diffuses the magic of dream and joy amidst its color and beauty.

A native of Brazil, the bougainvillea was first spotted by the French botanist Philibert Commerson in the year 1760 and named it bouganvillea after his friend and captain, Louis A. de Bougainville, a noted lawyer, mathematician, and explorer from Canada. Hence began the journey of bougainvillea tree as one of the most sought after plants for decorative purpose.

Bougainvillea with crisp, paper like flower is easy to grow. Being a tropical plant, sunshine and plenty of water are two important factors, needed for its growth. Neither frost nor chilly wind is welcome by the bougainvillea plant. Warm climate is therefore the ideal season to plant the bougainvillea.

Although, bougainvillea loves the dry and warm climate yet do not fail to water them daily. Regular watering and 5-6 hours of constant sunshine will make your bougainvillea to bloom better.

Supply your bougainvillea plant with a phosphorus, iron and magnesium enriched fertilizer, depending upon the soil type. For a healthy growth you need to prune your bougainvillea during the end of the winter or latest by the early spring. If you have a healthy flowering bougainvillea, then start making more plants from the mother tree.

Cut sections of around 6 inches long and immerse them in rooting hormones. Strip off the bottom leaves and also moisten the section before you plant it into small pots, filled with fertilizer and sand. Keep an eye to the growth and only after they visibly develop the roots transplant the bougainvillea plant to a sunny spot in your garden. However, ensure not to disturb their cantankerous root whilst replanting.

How to replant your bougainvillea

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the pot.

Set the bougainvillea shrub in the hole and now gently slide the pot from around the root area.

Do not drop the plant while replanting. Also do not tamp on the planted area with your boot.

Gently handle your bougainvillea vine to add that little extra to your landscape with the delicate shimmer of the bougainvillea flowers.

Bougainvillea bonsai; keeping your miniature bougainvillea alive

2009-10-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

Small flowering bougainvillea sitting at the corner of your room or hanging from the balcony is indeed the most sought after item for decor. Whether to decorate your living room, or to add a woody touch to your study corner, or to create a dramatic ambiance to your terrace a bougainvillea bonsai is indeed a must choice. .

Bonsai trees normally does not bear flower and the only difference is the bougainvillea bonsai, which is sure to amuse you with its color and beauty. Belonging to the Nyctaginaceae family, which is part tree and part vine, bougainvillea bonsai can be kept almost anywhere and everywhere. Be it indoor or outdoor, your bougainvillea bonsai with its parade of color will definitely silhouette the ambiance for you.

However, proper care is indeed necessary to maintain the health of your miniature bougainvillea. Issues like watering, lighting; feeding, temperature, re potting and styling are all important factors in determining the health of the bougainvillea bonsai.

Temperature and lighting for the bougainvillea bonsai

Bougainvillea is a tropical plant and quite ideally therefore the bonsai also likes to be in direct and adequate sunlight. However be careful of not letting your bougainvillea bonsai to experience sunburn. This will in turn damage its freshness. Bougainvillea bonsai should be kept in a temp ranging from 49-54 degree F.

Watering of the bougainvillea bonsai

Bougainvillea bonsai does not require regular or continuous watering rather , the miniature tree likes it dry for most of the season. However, during the flowering period an increased amount of watering ensures better result.

Fertilization of the bougainvillea bonsai plant

Supply your bougainvillea plant with a phosphorus, iron and magnesium enriched fertilizer, depending upon the soil type

Pruning and styling of the bougainvillea bonsai

One technique that will help your bougainvillea bonsai to look good throughout the year is proper pruning. Prune this bonsai at any point of time of the year. Cut the new growth every month when the plant is young. This will indeed help in promoting a bushy plant. Cut back the branches if you feel that the bonsai has overgrown.

Pruning the Roots

Apart from pruning the braches if you find that the roots are getting bigger then you need to prune the bonsai to replant it in a larger pot. You may then even cut a small portion to start making smaller bougainvillea bonsais.

Keeping your bougainvillea bonsai alive is easy and fun. All you need is your love and care, attention and your personal touch, for which the little plant crave for. Give it your little time and your bougainvillea bonsai will gift you back a fusion of dream, beauty, color and joy.