To see a pleasantly flowering plant in your flower garden, you need to know the secrets of breeding. Gardeners respect exotic plants. The secrets of caring for many groups of flowers are similar. In this article, the editors have tried to put together a selection of tips to avoid mistakes when growing a rare flower. This rare plant requires careful provision of conditions. To determine the correct action, it is important to determine which group the purchased plant belongs to.

Main types and varieties of bougainvillea

BOUGAINVILLIA (Bougainvillea) - the genus is a very original climbing plant, numbering 14 South American species. They can be in the form of low shrubs, can form a hedge, reaching 5 m. Most bougainvilleas have stems covered with prickly thorns, but some of the newer varieties are almost thornless or have minor thorns that do not pose a danger.

Today, many beautiful interspecific hybrids are grown with small and inconspicuous flowers, surrounded by colorful bracts, reminiscent of colored crumpled paper. Very beautiful varieties with strikingly bright, lilac, lavender, fuchsia, snow-white, orange, yellow or pink-red bracts... (see "Bougainvillea - paper flower")

The photo shows Bougainvillea spectabilis-x-glabra (Bougainvillea x spectoglabra), which is a hybrid of B. beautiful and B. naked. The leaves are small, dark green, the spines are numerous and curved. The flowers are small, almost white. The bracts are mauve or violet. Blooms several times a year. Branches well. Bougainvillea naked and beautiful (remarkable) are very similar in appearance, so it was only in the mid-1980s that they were finally identified as different species. At home, low, smooth (naked) bougainvillea is most often grown.

Wonderful or beautiful bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) Homeland - tropical regions of Brazil; grows on open rocky slopes. In culture since the first half of the 19th century. A lignified liana with spiny shoots and hairy stems, petioles and leaf margins. The leaves are alternate, oval, short-petioled, pointed, entire, and have velvety pubescence. Flowers of this species form long, up to 2-5 cm, single or 2-5, surrounded by 2-3 large purple or pink-red bracts, turning pale as they bloom. The perianth is tubular, yellowish-green. It grows quickly and densely, the length of the shoot can reach 9 m.

In its natural environment, this plant is a powerful vine, shrub or small tree. It is characterized by the presence of small, inconspicuous yellow-white flowers, which are surrounded by three bracts called bracts. Bracts have different shapes and edges. People often confuse bright bracts with flowers. In modern varieties, these bracts have a variety of colors, which determine their decorative value: violet, purple, orange, red, pink, peach, cream, white. There are varieties that have two colors at the same time or change color during flowering, so these homemade bougainvillea flowers will be a wonderful decoration for any home.

Forming and pruning bougainvillea

Bougainvillea has very flexible young shoots that can be easily shaped. Over time, such shoots become woody. This plant can be grown at will in the form of a standard tree, an extensive bush or vine. With the help of various supports it can be designed in the form of a pyramid, sphere or wreath. In summer, bougainvillea can turn into a real waterfall of flowers that completely cover the leaves and shoots. These plants look very beautiful in the form of a tree, which consists of different varieties. Multi-colored flowering can be achieved without grafting skills; you just need to plant different varieties of bougainvillea in one container, which produce flowers of different colors. Young stems should be given support and intertwined as they grow to form a trunk.

At the initial stages of plant growth, there is no need to trim the stems. But very long shoots should be pruned in the fall. Spring pruning promotes proper formation of the bush and active flowering.

The most popular varieties of indoor bougainvillea are represented by two species known and loved by gardeners. The first of them is beautiful bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis). is a fifteen-meter rapidly growing vine, with shoots on which curved spines grow. The foliage of this type of bougainvillea is broadly ovate, pubescent, with a heart-shaped base, very dense, and can grow up to twelve centimeters in length. Paniculate inflorescences of flowers are collected at the tips of the branches. The bracts of the flowers come in all sorts of colors: greenish-pink, red, purple, pinkish-violet, etc. The flowers themselves in the axils of the bract can be either two or three. This type of bougainvillea blooms from mid-spring to mid-autumn. In our latitudes, in open ground, beautiful bougainvillea grows exclusively in the Caucasus.

The next species is naked bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra). Just like the previous species, naked bougainvillea is a vine, but it only grows five meters. There are rare thorns on its branches. The oval-shaped leaves are glossy. The very bright lilac, cream, violet and white bracts of the plant give it an extraordinary picturesque appearance. The flowers themselves are very small and yellow. This species blooms in spring and summer.

For home cultivation, breeders have developed numerous hybrids of these two types of bougainvillea, differing from each other in the size and color of the bracts. The most popular of them are:

Donyo. a plant with soft pink bracts that do not change their color throughout the entire flowering period;

Bois De Roses - bougainvillea with very large orange bracts that turn bright pink towards the end of the flowering season;

California Gold. The bracts are bright yellow at first, but at the end they begin to brighten noticeably;

Glabra (Glabra) has an intense lilac-violet color of the bracts;

Jamaica White - has very large white bracts throughout the flowering season;

Singapore Pink (Singapore Pink) with elongated bracts of lilac-pinkish bracts;

Double Beauty (Double Red). This variety blooms very profusely, its bracts are double, medium-sized and have a fuchsia-raspberry color throughout the entire flowering season;

Thai Gold is a profusely flowering, very beautiful variety. The bracts are double-fluffy, bright orange at the beginning of flowering, then gradually change color to pale pink;

Vera Deep Purple - considered a variety, blooms profusely, large bracts of bright fuchsia-crimson color;

Mrs Butt Compact - blooms profusely. Flowers with large bracts of red brick color initially gradually become bright crimson.

Pots for planting indoor bougainvillea must be deep enough. Bougainvillea is planted exclusively in the spring. There are no special nuances or any special technologies for planting this plant. The only point that experts recommend paying attention to is the integrity of the earthen coma around the roots of the plant. When planting, bougainvillea must be transported using the transfer method.

In indoor conditions, bougainvillea is placed in a well-lit place, not exposed to direct sunlight. It is necessary to maintain a moderate temperature (+20 - +25). It is strictly forbidden to place bougainvillea on a cold floor - its roots may rot. If you want your flower to bloom earlier, then in early spring place it as close to the window as possible. Bougainvillea requires regular replanting (every 2 to 4 years).

Soil for planting:

Indoor bougainvillea is not a very demanding plant; it grows well in any type of soil. But experts still recommend planting bougainvillea in a soil that corresponds to natural parameters, because, as is known in nature, it grows on rocky soils in arid regions. So it would be a good idea to plant it in slightly alkaline, well-drained and dense soil. For planting bougainvillea, ready-made soil for planting tub plants may be suitable, but it is recommended to add a little river sand to it. You can prepare the soil mixture for planting bougainvillea yourself; to do this, mix quartz sand (10%), peat (20%), leaf and turf soil 1:1 (70%). Add some broken shards or superphosphate and charcoal to the resulting soil mixture. In calcium-poor soils, add half a part of lime.

The main types of care for indoor bougainvillea are pruning and proper, regular watering. It is necessary to constantly ensure that the soil in the bougainvillea pot does not dry out too much. But you also shouldn’t allow water to stagnate at the root of the plant - bougainvillea really doesn’t like this. Water the plant as the soil dries and make sure that the water in the pan does not stagnate - drain the excess. In a dormant state, bougainvillea must be watered extremely carefully, taking into account the temperature and humidity of the air, as well as other conditions of its maintenance. In the summer, regularly spray bougainvillea with a spray bottle, and if in winter the air in the apartment becomes too dry due to heating, then this procedure must be carried out while the plant is dormant.

The pruning process for bougainvillea is simply necessary, because this is the main condition for the formation of its beautiful crown. If you do not regularly prune the plant, it will not branch, and its shoots will become very elongated. After the bougainvillea has faded, it is necessary to shorten its young shoots by at least half, this will encourage it to form new lateral branches on which flower buds will develop. It must be remembered that bougainvillea has more flowers on short branches, for this reason the shoots are not cut down to the old wood, otherwise it will not branch at all. Correct and competent pruning of bougainvillea will make it possible to give it the most bizarre, sophisticated and graceful shapes.

It is also worth remembering that bougainvillea does not tolerate moving, especially when it is moved to a place with worse lighting. You should not try to change the orientation of the plant’s shoots; in other words, do not twist them around the support, this will lead to prolonged freezing of the bougainvillea and shedding of leaves. Better to just cut them off.

Bougainvillea must be regularly fed with special complex mineral fertilizers during the active growing season at least once a week. In winter, fertilizing is not needed.

Reproduction:

Bougainvillea is propagated in spring and summer and is done by air layering and mature green cuttings. The cuttings are cut under the buds and treated with a special mixture that stimulates root formation. The lower foliage is removed from the cuttings and planted in a sand-peat soil mixture, deepening it into two internodes. After this, to create high air humidity, the cuttings are covered with a jar or placed in a greenhouse (greenhouse). Place the cuttings in a well-lit area with constantly moist soil. During rooting of cuttings, it is recommended to use heating from below. If everything is done correctly, the cuttings will take root within a month.

To propagate a plant by layering, select a flexible, mature shoot that has not yet completely lignified, and make cuts on it. In the place that is cut, the shoot must be bent and secured with wire in a separate pot with light soil. When the shoot has roots, it is separated and replanted.

Usage:

Indoor bougainvillea is used for decorative decoration of rooms, verandas and covered gazebos. You can also place this beautiful plant on a closed balcony or decorate the terrace.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) of the family Nyctaginaceae is a tropical spreading creeping and climbing plant with thorns on the branches and a long flowering period. Named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729-1811), French man of letters, lawyer, traveler and mathematician. distributed in tropical forests of South America.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvilleas are low trees or, more often, shrubs, creeping, climbing or clinging (vines) with woody stems; sharp spines appear with age. The leaves are alternate, oval, green, with smooth edges, 8-13 cm long. During flowering, they are hidden under bright bracts. Small, inconspicuous yellow-white flowers of bougainvillea are surrounded by three bracts up to 6 cm long. Often it is these brightly colored bracts that people incorrectly call flowers. In modern varieties they come in a variety of colors: purple, violet, orange, red, pink, peach, cream and white. It is not uncommon to see bougainvilleas that are two-colored or change color during flowering. Bougainvillea bracts can be round, heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, triangular with scalloped edges, or wavy. Flowers with bracts are collected in dense clusters.

Bougainvillea

Due to the fact that the long flexible young shoots of bougainvillea become lignified with age, it is easy to form. It can be grown as a standard tree, vine, or bush. With the help of supports, the plant can be given various shapes: pyramids, spheres, wreaths, etc. In a greenhouse or winter garden, bougainvillea is most often planted in a large tub or directly in the soil of the greenhouse near the southern wall, grown as a vine or a large spreading bush.

Tricolor bougainvillea tree

Bougainvillea- a small genus of tropical and subtropical plants that came to us from South Africa. Botanists classify 14 species of evergreens in this genus, which are small trees, shrubs or vines with long flexible prickly creeping shoots. Bougainvillea has earned its popularity thanks to its lush, long-lasting flowering, which in its homeland and in countries with a similar climate can last all year.

Bougainvillea leaves can be smooth or pubescent (depending on the type of plant), but they are always characterized by an alternate arrangement on the stem. The flowers are inconspicuous, small, cream-colored, collected in racemes. The main decorative value is represented by the brightly colored perianths, whose texture resembles crumpled paper.

Features of growing bougainvillea

Bougainvillea domestica

When growing bougainvillea, do not forget about its heat-loving nature. In warm countries, the flower pleases with continuous flowering and does not have a dormant period, but it is not able to withstand temperatures below +5 ° C. In the subtropical regions of the Caucasus, the plant can sometimes be kept in open ground throughout the year, but even under these conditions preventive shelter is required.

In the middle zone, bougainvillea is a plant of closed ground and is grown in greenhouses, greenhouses and houses.

The flower adapts well to conditions that differ from natural ones. Indoor bougainvillea has a clearly defined dormant period and is not capable of continuous flowering, but with good care it can please the owner with bright colors several times a year. In summer, bougainvillea will feel great in the garden, on the balcony or terrace.

The plant can be called relatively unpretentious. Bougainvillea does not require special maintenance conditions, but it is necessary to know the rules of flower care in order to achieve maximum decorativeness. Even a novice gardener should not have any difficulty caring for the plant.

Proper planting is the main component of good growth and intensive flowering of bougainvillea.

There are 3 main components that should be considered when planting a plant:

• optimal soil composition;
• choosing the right pot;
• choosing a favorable time.

The most common practice is to plant plants in pots and tubs (depending on size).

When growing in a greenhouse, you can dig in plants with a flowerpot or simply plant them in the ground. In the latter case, bougainvillea grows very intensively for the first few years, but does not bloom.

Priming

To plant a plant, you need a nutritious but light substrate with good water and air permeability. You can simply use a universal soil mixture for flowering plants, which is available in any flower shop. But experienced gardeners prefer to prepare the substrate for planting themselves.

To do this take:

• leaf soil (2 parts);
• turf soil (2 parts);
• coarse sand (1 part);
• humus (1 part).

Important! As additional components, a small amount of vermiculite, clay, chalk, ash or other substances is sometimes added to the soil. Soil pH should be between 5.5 - 6.0.

In nature, bougainvillea often grows in a limited space, between stones, so for planting and subsequent transplants you need to choose a small pot. A spacious flowerpot stimulates intensive growth of shoots and leaf mass to the detriment of flowering, and thin roots cannot always quickly absorb a new volume of soil, which leads to its souring.

The new pot should exceed the diameter of the old one by only a few centimeters. The height of the flowerpot should be greater than the width, and a thick layer of expanded clay should be placed on the bottom.

Transfer time

At the beginning of spring, the plant awakens after the winter dormancy period and is ready to expand its underground and above-ground parts. This time is most favorable for planting and replanting bougainvillea.

Caring for bougainvillea at home

Growing bougainvillea is much easier than it might seem at first glance. The main thing when keeping indoors is to bring the conditions as close as possible to natural ones.

Location and lighting

In nature, bougainvillea grows on rocky slopes and receives a lot of tropical sun, so at home you need to choose a place with maximum lighting, at least 5 hours of directed light per day. Even on sunny days the plant does not need shading. The brightness of the bracts and color saturation depend on the light intensity. Bright lighting is also necessary in winter, despite the dormant period.

ATTENTION! Bougainvillea does not like to be moved, so in an effort to find the best place, you should not move it from one room to another and rotate it around its axis. Try to immediately choose a permanent place for the flower.

Air humidity

It is difficult to create the humidity characteristic of the tropics and subtropics at home, but you need to strive for this. Bougainvillea loves high air humidity and regular spraying., especially in the intervals between flowering. During flowering, spraying can be stopped or done very carefully so that water does not get on the bracts. The plant can be placed on a tray with wet pebbles to increase humidity.

Temperature

Bougainvillea is thermophilic and does not tolerate temperatures below 10 ° C. The optimal temperature for summer keeping is considered to be 20-25 °C, winter – 12-16 °C. Lowering the temperature is important for the formation of flower buds and abundant flowering. If bougainvillea is kept in warmer conditions in winter, then it needs to be provided with additional lighting.

Watering

The plant needs abundant watering, especially during the period of active growth. However, you need to maintain a balance between dryness and waterlogging. The earthen ball must be kept moist, but not wet. Bougainvillea stops growing in the fall and prepares for a dormant period, so watering must be reduced and then almost completely stopped. In the autumn-winter period, it is especially important not to over-moisten the substrate and just not allow it to dry out too much.

Feeding

Bougainvillea needs regular feeding with liquid fertilizer from spring to autumn. It is recommended to use fertilizers for flowering and budding as a top dressing, with a reduced nitrogen content and a high content of potassium, phosphorus and iron. Excess nitrogen delays and weakens flowering.

Trimming– one of the most important moments of plant care. Pruning is necessary not only to form a beautiful plant, but also to stimulate flowering. This procedure is carried out several times a year. In the spring, pruning is carried out to remove shoots that have dried out over the winter and are weak. In summer, inflorescences that have lost their decorative effect are cut off. Autumn pruning is carried out to give shape. The shoots are shortened by a third of the length or more, and the excess ones are cut out.

Shaping allows you to give the plant a certain appearance. It can be formed as a single-trunked tree, in bonsai style, in the form of a multi-trunked bush, or on a support, giving any fancy shapes depending on its configuration.

Several plants of different colors look extremely decorative, planted in one pot, the shoots of which are intertwined as they grow. Multi-colored plants can also be created by grafting onto a standard.

IMPORTANT! When pruning, it is necessary to leave 5-7 cm of the current year's shoot, because Dormant buds on old shoots are very difficult to awaken, and new shoots may not form.

Transfer

When choosing a pot, soil and time for replanting, you must be guided by the same criteria as when planting. The new flowerpot should be only a few centimeters more spacious than the previous one. You should not choose a pot that is too large, because... this negatively affects both flowering and plant health. Thin roots are not able to quickly master the earthen lump and the earth may turn sour.

It is advisable not to damage the roots and the earthen ball, but simply transfer the plant into a larger pot and fill the free space with soil. Transshipment is less traumatic for the roots than replanting, so the plant tolerates this procedure more easily.

The frequency of transplants depends on the age and intensity of plant growth. Young bougainvilleas are recommended to be replanted annually or once every 2 years, adults - once every 3-5 years, or as needed.

ATTENTION! Bougainvillea does not tolerate transplantation well, especially adult specimens. Plants may be sick for a long time, lose leaves and not bloom.

There are three main ways to propagate bougainvillea:

• stem cuttings;
• air layering;
• seeds.

The seed method is the most difficult, since it is almost impossible to obtain seeds in the absence of a pollinator. In the wild, pollinators are hummingbirds, which live only in tropical countries. In temperate climates, the hawk moth can sometimes be a pollinator, but ovary formation occurs very rarely.

Stem cuttings are the most popular and easiest method of propagation. For propagation, summer semi-lignified cuttings cut in June are used. Rooting is carried out at a temperature of 20-25 ° C and high humidity in a mixture of peat and sand. To create optimal conditions, you can use a greenhouse or simply cover the pot with cuttings with a plastic bag. Before planting, it is recommended to treat the cuttings with a growth stimulator. The likelihood of rooting will increase if the container with cuttings is heated from below.

Reproduction by air layering can be carried out at any time of the year. To do this, place a pot with soil mixture next to the plant, bend down a young non-lignified shoot, pin it to the ground and lightly sprinkle it. At the point of contact with the soil, it is necessary to cause slight damage (scratches, cuts) to stimulate the formation of roots. When the shoot takes root, you can separate the young plant.

Reproduction by cuttings and layering makes it possible to preserve the variety of the plant. The probability of rooting of cuttings is higher, but this method allows you to obtain only a few copies. When propagated by cuttings, not all planted plants take root, but this method is quite suitable for mass propagation.

This is how flowering happens

Thanks to its bright and long-lasting flowering, the plant has earned popularity among gardeners. The formation of flower buds occurs in winter, and with the onset of spring, flowers bloom on the plant, the main charm of which lies in the bright bracts.

The duration of flowering at home can be 6-7 months (May-November). In this case, the leaves of the plant can be completely hidden under bright bracts.

The color of the plant's bracts may vary depending on the variety and species. They can be white, yellow, peach, lilac, violet, purple, pink. Particularly beautiful is the terry buggenvillea, whose bracts are arranged in several rows.

The flowers are short-lived, but the bracts decorate the plant for a long time. When the bracts lose their decorative properties, the shoot is cut off, leaving 7-8 buds of the young shoot. This pruning stimulates re-blooming on young shoots.

Among the few species of bougainvillea, only a few can be grown at home. The most commonly found Brazilian species are Bougainvillea glabra and Bougainvillea spectabilis. But the plant varieties are amazing in variety. They differ not only in shape, color, number of bracts, but also in the color of the leaves.

Bougainvillea sanderiana with purple bracts and abundant flowering is considered one of the best. The most common varieties include bougainvillea Vera Deep Purple' with large fuchsia-crimson bracts and abundant flowering. Fans of variegated leaves will like bougainvillea ‘Orange Ice’, which amazes not only with the bright orange color of the bracts, but also with variegated variegated leaves. Interesting leaf color is also characteristic of the ‘Mini thai’ variety. Bright green leaf blades are framed by a fugitive border. In addition, the plant is compact and forms a well-leafed crown.

Bougainvillea ‘Double red’ with red flowers looks very impressive thanks to its double bracts. Among the interestingly colored varieties, bougainvillea ‘Snowcap multi’ stands out, the bracts of which are bicolored white and pink.

Diseases and pests

The plant, despite its tropical origin, is resistant to diseases and pests. Most bougainvillea diseases are associated with care errors, due to which the plant loses its decorative effect and sheds its leaves.

The flower is sometimes affected by scale insects, mealybugs and aphids. Measures to combat these pests are the same as in the case of damage to other indoor plants.

Popular questions about the care and problems of maintaining bougainvillea

What is the lifespan of bougainvillea?

When kept at home, life expectancy does not exceed 5-10 years. The plant does not die, but becomes very lignified and stops blooming. In greenhouses, individual specimens can live up to 30 years.

Is the plant poisonous?

Bougainvillea is not a poisonous houseplant and is safe for humans and pets.

Why doesn't bougainvillea bloom?

There are several reasons for the lack of flowering:

• temperature reduction during the rest period is not ensured;
• insufficient lighting;
• excess nitrogen in the soil.

Why do bougainvillea leaves fall?

Leaves may naturally fall off as the plant prepares for winter. In summer, leaf falling may be due to the plant moving from place to place or due to a draft.

Why do the leaves turn yellow (dry)? Yellowing of leaves most often occurs when the plant is flooded.

How does the plant overwinter? In winter, it is recommended to lower the temperature. Bougainvillea partially sheds its leaves and this is normal. During this period, you need to water and spray the plant less.

In the tropics and subtropics of South America, where bougainvillea grows, the crop can climb to a height of many meters and entwine the walls of houses. Some varieties of this spectacular plant take the form of lushly flowering trees, covered with the thorns of powerful vines or modest shrubs.

In warm climates, the tops of the shoots are covered with flowers almost all year round. True, the corollas of real bougainvillea flowers can only be seen close up, and the multi-colored caps in which the foliage and stems are buried are modified leaves. Bracts vary in color, shape and size. There are two-color varieties, as well as plants in which the color of the bracts changes in intensity or tone over time.

Of the bougainvillea species existing in nature, the most popular among lovers of ornamental plants are beautiful bougainvillea and naked bougainvillea. In addition, there are a lot of interspecific hybrids, as well as cultural forms and varieties of the most amazing colors.

This type of plant is characterized by an incredible growth rate and often looks like a large vine, up to 15 meters high. Like all types of bougainvillea, the leaves of this variety have a heart-shaped, pointed shape. The back side is covered with a small pile, the autumn leaf plates are dense and durable. In the photo of bougainvillea, in addition to leaves and curved thorns, bright bracts are clearly visible. Bougainvillea flowers, opening from April to mid-autumn, are collected in paniculate inflorescences at the ends of the branches. A group of two or three stipules surrounds 1 to 3 true flowers.

This type of bougainvillea, in the photo, is much smaller. Its maximum height is only five meters, which makes it possible to use the plant as an indoor crop. This is facilitated by the fact that the plant tolerates pruning almost painlessly and can be shaped at the owner’s request.

An example of this is the Bougainvillea Sanderiana shown in the photo, an old variety tested by gardeners around the world.

Unlike beautiful bougainvillea, this species has completely smooth leaves, and blooms in spring and early summer. The range of colors is incredibly wide, which is facilitated by active breeding work. It was bougainvillea glabra, cultivated back in 1861, that became the basis for obtaining a great variety of hybrid and varietal plants that today decorate gardens, parks and window sills.

Another variety is bougainvillea Alexandra, ideal for compact indoor compositions and creating original garden sculptures. True, in Russian conditions in open ground this beautiful vine takes root only in the southern regions, since it does not tolerate frosts below -8 °C.

This species is not so often found in ornamental plantings, but bougainvillea, discovered in 1810, became known for its hybrids with other varieties of the plant. Breeders were attracted by the crop's unusual ability to bloom several times a year after a natural or artificial drought.

In nature, plants of this species are extremely reluctant to branch, so bougainvillea, as in the photo, often forms spectacular cascading shoots.

Most modern varieties of bougainvillea are obtained from a hybrid accidentally noticed in the garden. The plant was named after its owner Bougainvillea × buttiana and classified as a hybrid of Bougainvillea glabra and Peruviana.

Varietal bougainvilleas differ strikingly from each other in size, shape and color of bracts.

The simplest, but very effective and popular among gardeners are varieties of bougainvillea with ordinary monochromatic bracts and rich green foliage.

One of the most common varieties, bougainvillea sanderiana pleases the eye with lush purple bracts, lends itself well to shaping and is quite unpretentious at home.

The bougainvillea variety Vera Deep Purple shown in the photo matches it. The plant stands out with dense crimson bracts that densely cover the ends of young shoots. No less impressive is the appearance of the flowers of bougainvillea varieties Glabra Donker and New Violet, which also reveal large violet-purple bracts.

Bougainvillea varieties Cypheri, Australian Pink and Donya are a godsend for the gardener who prefers plants with pink bracts. Moreover, in the latter case, flowering does not stop almost all year round.

The Crimson Lake, Black India Red and Tomato Red bougainvillea varieties shown in the photo are captivating with all shades of red, purple, crimson and burgundy.

The flowering looks unusually sunny against the background of green foliage. b Uganvillea Golden Tango with large yellow bracts and very small true flowers.

The group of bougainvilleas with simple white bracts is represented by the variety Jamaica White, which is distinguished by the abundance and duration of flowering, as well as Mrs Alice and Penelope.

The original variety of bougainvillea Lateritia cannot be missed thanks to the bright salmon color of the bracts, shimmering in the sun with all shades of orange and pink.

Terry varieties are famous for their particularly dense caps at the ends of the shoots and exceptional decorativeness. Photos of bougainvillea from the Double varietal group, which includes plants with white, salmon, pale pink, purple, red and orange stipules, are always a reason for the admiration and envy of many gardeners.

The bougainvillea variety Double Lilarose has amazingly sensual shades of pink, salmon and lilac combined with a long flowering period and relative unpretentiousness. Also interesting is Boogervillea Double Pink, which differs from the first representative of the group in more delicate tones and a slightly greenish base of the stipules.

The luxurious caps of juicy crimson bracts on Double Red bougainvillea will be a discovery for beginning gardeners and will not leave connoisseurs of this tropical crop indifferent.

Double flowering is not the limit of the possibilities of a unique flower.

Today, lovers of indoor and garden floriculture have at their disposal varieties that fully reveal the ability of the bracts of this plant to change color over time.

The bracts of bougainvillea variety Bois De Roses are orange at first, but gradually change color, becoming deep pink. A similar picture is observed during flowering of the Thai Gold variety. This bougainvillea shown in the photo appears golden-orange in the first days, but as the bracts fade, they become completely blush-pink.

Similar metamorphoses occur with many plant varieties and hybrids. Initially white bracts take on pink tones, red-orange ones become crimson or purple. By skillfully combining specimens with such extraordinary properties, you can turn your garden into something constantly changing, but always beautiful.

Even more surprising are bougainvillea varieties on which two-color bracts appear simultaneously or on different branches their shades differ significantly.

Strawberry Lace is a plant with white and pink stipules that can only be compared to fresh strawberries and cream. On the stipules of bougainvillea Mary Palmer the shades are more delicate and blurred. On a basic white background, strokes of lilac and lavender look very beautiful.

A special place is occupied by varieties that, in addition to bright and sometimes multi-colored bracts, also have two shades combined on the foliage.

Most of these plants are the result of a spontaneous mutation, so offspring can only be obtained from them vegetatively using cuttings and layering.

Bougainvillea San Diego Red Variegata has red bracts that appear even more striking and provocative against the background of light golden-green foliage.

The salmon or golden bracts of Delta Dawn bougainvillea look like real gold against the bluish-green foliage with bright white edges.

In addition to golden or white spots on bougainvillea leaves, you can also see pink tones. An example of this is the beautiful Raspberry Ice variety with carmine bracts and decorative foliage, as if toasted along the edges.

The southern beauty Bougainvillea is as spectacular in our apartments as in its homeland in Brazil. Among flower growers, Bougainvillea is famous for its flexibility, originality, magnificence of colors and lush flowering, which lasts almost all year round. Due to the fine texture of its leaves, similar to multi-colored crumpled paper, Bougainvillea has another name - “Paper Flower”. In this article we will introduce you to the colorful species of Bougainvillea and its varieties, including hybrid ones.

The flower received its melodic name in honor of the French navigator Louis Antoine Bougainville, who was the leader of the first French expedition around the world. The flower was found on the rocky expanses of South America by the scientist botanist Commerson, his compatriot, who was part of this expedition. Commerson brought a previously unknown flower to Europe and gave it the name Bougainvillea.

Description of the flower

Bougainvillea belongs to the Noctiflower or Nyctaginaceae family. In its homeland, in South America, Bougainvillea is found everywhere in the form of flowering shrubs or trees with flexible creeping, climbing and clinging branches - vines. Their shoots are covered with sparse but sharp spines, with the help of which the plant clings to the supports and stretches upward. Breeders have not yet been able to remove the spines of domestic varieties of Bougainvillea. The shoots grow very quickly, reaching a length of five meters or more. At home, with good maintenance, the bush can also grow up to three meters in height. Its growth is controlled by regular pruning.

Bougainvillea leaves

The leaves are bright green on the outside and light green on the inside. Sometimes, variegated specimens are found. The edge of the leaf is smooth and even, the tip is pointed. The leaves are oval or ovoid in shape and small in size. Sometimes smooth, sometimes pubescent (depending on the type of Bougainvillea). The leaves are arranged alternately on the stems.

Bougainvillea's flowers are tubular, inconspicuous, white-yellow in color, collected in racemes. They quickly wither and fall off. But the bracts amaze with their splendor. To the touch they look like the thinnest crumpled paper. The bracts are colorful, brightly, in all shades of red, crimson, white, orange, purple and other colors. And the bracts are no less amazing in their shape. They can be round, arrow-shaped, heart-shaped and even triangular. They reach a length of 3–5 cm. Unlike flowers, bracts remain on the plant for a very long time.

Bougainvillea flowers and bracts close up

In Brazil and countries with a similar subtropical climate, where winters are mild and the air temperature does not drop below five degrees, Bougainvillea continues to bloom all year round. Due to this, and its extraordinary decorativeness, it gained enormous popularity. It is grown everywhere - in gardens, squares, parks, decorating the territories of private households and tourist hotels, and used in landscape design.

The plant is not poisonous. Keeping it in an apartment is not dangerous for children or pets.

In our latitudes, Bougainvillea is grown by pruning in the form of a shrub, vine or bonsai tree in indoor spaces or greenhouses, and only in the summer is it taken out into the garden. It blooms here from May to November. Under comfortable conditions during flowering, the green leaves of Bougainvillea are hidden under the bright multi-colored caps of its stipules. The lifespan of domestic Bougainvillea does not exceed five to ten years. The flower does not die, it simply stops growing and gradually becomes woody. It is known that in greenhouses some specimens of Bougainvillea live up to 30 years.

Types and varieties of Bougainvillea

There are about 15 species of Bougainvillea in the world. Only three of its species from Brazil - Naked, Beautiful and Peruvian - succumbed to selection. Only they and their hybrids can be grown at home. New varieties are distinguished not only by the variety of colors of the bracts, but also by the leaves, which are decorated either with variegated veins or with an original edging. Bougainvillea without thorns and with blue bracts remains the dream of breeders.

Brazilian species

Bougainvillea glabra

Bougainvillea Naked(Bougainvillea glabra) is a tall shrub (up to 5 m) with white, yellow, purple, pink and red bracts. Glossy dark green leaves are pointed. Their length is 10–15 cm and width 4–6 cm. The branches are covered with small spines. The plant easily tolerates pruning, allowing gardeners to obtain the desired shape. It grows in dry areas of Brazil on rocky hills with carbonate soils. First described in 1850 by Swiss botanist Jacques Denis Choisy.

Bougainvillea Beautiful or Wonderful (Bougainvillea spectabilis)

Bougainvillea Beautiful is a vine that reaches a height of 15 m. It has larger bracts that are red, pink or purple. With the help of flexible shoots and numerous thorns, it clings to the support and stretches upward, entwining supports, gazebos, and house facades along the way. The vine has pubescent, dense, heart-shaped leaves. From April to October it forms inflorescences in the form of panicles. As they bloom, the bracts turn pale. The homeland of Bougainvillea Beautiful is the tropical forests of Brazil, its open rocky slopes.

Peruvian bougainvillea (Bougainvillea peruviana)

Bougainvillea Peruvian(Bougainvillea peruviana) was first discovered in 1810 by the German naturalist Humboldt. Distributed in Colombia and Peru. It is a climbing shrub with yellow flowers surrounded by round pink or purple double bracts. The leaves are ovoid, thin, and not drooping. The spines are short and straight. This variety does not branch well. Long shoots do not produce lateral shoots, and to give the bush splendor, it should be pruned. This is the most stable variety and can bloom several times a year if there are dry periods between blooms.

These three natural species successfully cross with each other, forming all sorts of spectacular varieties that differ from each other in size, color and shape of bracts.

Hybrid varieties of Bougainvillea

Variety Sanderiana has lush purple bracts. Blooms profusely, unpretentious, lends itself well to molding. It is considered the best variety for home cultivation.

Vera Deep Purple

Variety Vera Deep Purple has large bracts of raspberry fuchsia color and blooms profusely.

Bougainvillea Glabra Donker- a similar variety, with violet-lilac bracts densely covering the tops of young shoots.

Bougainvillea Donyo

Bougainvillea Donya(Donyo) is a very showy variety with pink bracts. Blooms almost all year round.

Variety Jamaica White has simple white bracts. Valued for its abundant and long-lasting flowering at home.

Bougainvillea White Cascade- distinguished by ivory bracts. Some plants of this variety have pink edges on the bracts, which gives the plant great elegance. The leaves are large and dark green.

California Gold- has golden bracts that turn beige at the end of flowering. Sometimes, when developing at home, a plant confuses its dormant time: it blooms not in summer, but in winter.

Bougainvillea Golden Tango has large yellow bracts and small inconspicuous flowers. Bougainvillea blooms look surprisingly sunny and unusual against the backdrop of bright green foliage.

Bougainvillea Tomato Red- captivates with burgundy bracts.

Variety Lateritia- valued for the original color of the bracts. It is a bright salmon color, and in the sun it shimmers with all shades of pink and orange.

Terry varieties

Terry varieties of Bougainvillea with white, salmon, purple, red and other shades of stipules are especially envied and admired by many gardeners. Let's get acquainted with some of them:

Double Red has bracts of a beautiful raspberry fuchsia color, which does not fade throughout the entire flowering period. Refers to varieties with double bracts. A very popular and sought-after variety of Bougainvillea.

Variety Double Pink differs from the previous one in more delicate tones and a slightly greenish base of double stipules.

Varieties that change color

Breeders have developed Bougainvillea varieties whose bracts gradually change color as the plant blooms. Here are some such varieties:

Bougainvillea Bois De Roses at the beginning of flowering it has orange bracts, which gradually change their color to deep pink.

Bougainvillea variety Thai Gold has golden-orange bracts, which at the time of wilting become completely pink with a blush.

Bicolor varieties

Bougainvillea varieties with bicolor bracts are no less surprising.

Bougainvillea varieties Snowcap Multi And Strawberry Lace They are similar to each other, have white-pink bracts that can be compared to the color of strawberries and cream.

Mary Palmer has similar stipules of more delicate, slightly blurred tones. Against a basic white background, strokes of lavender and lilac stand out beautifully.

Variegated varieties of Bougainvillea

San Diego Red Variegata

Bougainvillea San Diego Red Variegata It is distinguished by the variegated color of its foliage. It is light, golden-green. Against its background, the red bracts of the plant glow brightly, attracting all eyes.

Salmon or golden bracts of Bougainvillea Delta Dawn against the background of bluish-green foliage with a bright white edging, they glow golden in the sun.

Variety Orange Ice boasts not only the bright orange color of the bracts, but also variegated leaves.

Bonsai varieties

Let us introduce you to some varieties of Bougainvillea that readily lend themselves to pruning.

Bougainvillea Alexandra Ideal for compact indoor arrangements. In open ground, this flower is used to form original garden sculptures. True, this is possible in the southernmost regions of our country, since frosts are below 8 degrees. This Bougainvillea does not tolerate.

Variety Butiana valued for its willingness to tolerate any pruning. The bush can be given almost any shape - a small bonsai tree, a wreath or a heart.

By skillfully combining different varieties of Bougainvillea, you can turn the southern corner of your home into a colorful, constantly blooming magical garden. This can only be achieved by following certain rules of agricultural technology.

Conclusion

Bougainvillea is an amazingly beautiful indoor plant. Despite some difficulties in growing, Bougainvillea is the dream of many exotic lovers. If you want to create, you can form a plant of any shape - in the form of a bonsai, a heart, an arch or a flowering ring. We are sure that Bougainvillea will inspire you to great deeds and decorate not only the interior of your home, but also your life.

- an unusually attractive plant native to Brazil. People like to decorate gazebos, apartments, and greenhouses with this plant. It is powerful, evergreen, with thorns on the vines. Reproduction occurs only by cuttings, and with proper care, bougainvillea rewards with abundant flowering.

Did you know? It can mutate, creating different types of plants without producing seeds.

In this article we will look at what bougainvillea is and highlight the most popular varieties and varieties.

Bougainvillea spectabilis

The remarkable bougainvillea gained popularity back in the 19th century; it was found on rocky slopes in the tropical regions of Brazil. However, in southern countries this plant was used as decoration for gazebos and greenhouses. This type of bougainvillea has large bracts and velvety leaves that turn pale when flowering.

Did you know?The plant grows unusually quickly and can reach up to 15 meters in height.

Bougainvillea remarkable has fairly durable, pointed, heart-shaped leaves, slightly covered with hair on the back side. Remarkable bougainvillea has beautiful flowers; in this variety, at the ends of the branches they are collected in inflorescences, which open from April to mid-autumn. Flowers are up to 5 cm long. Around the flowers there are usually up to three bracts of pink, purple or red hue. Every year the color of the stipule fades. The perianth is tube-shaped, yellow-green in color. The shoots of the plant are covered with thorns and can reach up to 9 meters.

Bougainvillea glabra

Bougainvillea naked can grow up to 5 meters, unlike bougainvillea remarkable, so most often this plant is used as a houseplant. It tolerates pruning painlessly, so you can shape the bush as you please. Bougainvillea glabra blooms from spring to early summer. Thanks to breeding work, the plant has a wide palette of colors.

Did you know?It was this type of bougainvillea that became the basis for the creation of hybrid varieties.

Its stem is branched, bare, and sometimes has thorns. The leaves are bare, glossy, oval with a sharp end, up to 15 cm long, dark green. The bracts are pink, white, orange, yellow or purple. Blooms thickly and for a long time. Bougainvillea naked grows at an average pace and is quite often used for bonsai.

Peruvian bougainvillea (Bougainvillea peruviana)

Bougainvillea peruviana was discovered by Alexander von Humboldt of Germany in 1810. The leaves are long, thin, without pubescence, and have a pronounced ovoid shape. Unlike other varieties, the plant has green bark on the branches. The shoots have short and straight thorns. Bougainvillea Peruviana flowers in yellow shades. The bracts are purple or pink, round in shape, and have a leathery surface. Flowers are usually arranged singly, or in a group of up to 3 units.

Did you know?Bougainvillea peruviana blooms a couple of times a year, while other species bloom only once.

This species grows quite vigorously, while being slightly bushy.

Every year more and more forms of bougainvillea appear, obtained through selection. At exhibitions this plant is presented in new decorative forms and colors. The most common hybrid species was obtained by crossing Peruvian bougainvillea and beautiful. The resulting species has leaves that are quite large, emerald in color, and ovoid in shape. The branches have strong, straight thorns.
When the bracts bloom, they are copper-red in color, and as they age, they change color to pink or purple. The flowers of this plant are in cream shades. Another, no less common hybrid species of plant was obtained by crossing bougainvillea glabra and Peruvian. The leaves are dark green and ovoid in shape. Small white flowers are located on the stems of evergreen vines. The flowers are in clusters surrounded by three thin bracts of bright pink color.

Bougainvillea varieties

Today there are a large number of bougainvillea varieties that are intended for home cultivation. They differ in color, size of bracts, shape. There are oval, triangular, double and non-double varieties of bougainvillea.

The most popular varieties:

• glabra "Sanderiana" - the plant blooms profusely and has purple bracts;
• glabra "Cypheri" - pink bracts;
• "Maud Chettleburgh" - purple-pink bracts;
• "Tomato Red" - rather large, non-double bracts of red color;
• "Double Red" - double, red bracts; and many others.

Terry varieties of bougainvillea have very beautiful shades of flowers. So, for example, the variety “Double Pink” has transitions in pink colors; "Double Lilarose" has lilac and dark pink shades; "Lateritia" has delicate shades of pink and salmon, they bloom for a long time and are easy to care for. In the "Surprise" variety, thanks to a bud mutation, there are branches whose bract colors differ from the branches of the mother plant. Pink bracts, at the same time, can be marbled white and pink. Propagation of such varieties can only be carried out vegetatively. Terry varieties of bougainvillea are distinguished by their rather dense caps, which are located at the ends of the shoots.

Variegated varieties of bougainvillea

Variegated varieties of bougainvillea can be obtained vegetatively through layering and cuttings. Branches, thorns, leaves, veins - everything is green. The colors of the bracts are quite varied; they can be either multi-colored or monochromatic. The 'Raspberry Ice' variety has a cream stripe at the ends of its leaves. 'San Diego Red Variegata' has golden-green leaves and red bracts. The 'Delta Dawn' variety has bluish-green leaves with white edges and golden and salmon-colored bracts. On the leaves of variegated bougainvillea varieties you can often see pink spots, not just white or gold.