Yippee, my stunning magenta Bougainvillea is back in bloom after loosing all its leaves and sleeping during the coldest winter months. While Bougainvillea is a tropical plant it does do well in climates that have cool nights, like even San Francisco and my Northern Israel mountain location that is colder than San Francisco by quite a bit but somewhat similar. It turns out, that the only color of Bougainvillea that actually can live in pots generally around here, is this color, but not complaining! I have seen white and orange thrive as trees in the ground however, but that is not the general rule. So if you are planning to give bougainvillea a try, and you absolutely should, do ask which color is the hardiest in your location. And for those of you with snowy winters, you can grow bougainvillea as a houseplant, or get yourself a little greenhouse, my dream actually!
The great thing about Bougainvillea is that it literally blooms for months and months. Right now the entire plant are the blooms, or bracts, so the color is especially dense. At some point these blooms will fall off and the plant will then grow green leaves and another cycle of blooms. I think I'll just have to keep track this year!
Bougainvillea is a climber by the way, and can be trained to grow over an arch or arbor, especially if planted in the ground wherein growth is much more abundant. What can I say, Bougainvillea is a winner all around, though it does have some thorns, but maybe that is good!
