Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea
Aka: Paper flower
Size: Up to 30 feet in warmer zones
Lighting requirements: Full sun
Seasonal interest: Summer to fall blooms
Winter: Perennial in zones 9-11. It may come back if it is protected.
The flowers on these plants are actually quite small. The colorful bracts are what we grow them for. We certainly don't grow them for their thorns (unless you have a daughter...then plant one right outside here window!).
These plants do well when left to dry out between watering. They seem to like having their roots pretty tight, so don't plant them in a huge pot right away. Bougainvilleas love their special fertilizer blends. Look for NuriStar Bougainvillea.
