How do you describe a bougainvillea?

Answer 1

This vivid, bright-red,hybrid bougainvillea is a huge climber that bestows a profusion of the famous tropical bloom to frost-free gardens. Bougainvillea is a hallmark of Mexico and California but can be found thriving in warm climates around the world. The parent species are native to South America where various colors and forms were bred early on to create our garden varieties. A woody vine-like plant, it produces long arching branches decked with dark green leaves. This plant is a heavy bloomer and capable of reblooming year round in mild climates. Excessive litter can result when the current flush of bloom withers and drops.The color is not from a flower but from bracts, which are modified leaves and thus far more plentiful and showy than the tiny tubular flowers among them. The true flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and long-tongued insects, a bonus in the eyes of many gardeners. It thrives in well-drained soils and very warm climates, blooming far more heavily when conditions are dry. If over-watered, even in the desert, it will grow leafy and show insufficient color. It produces a large fibrous root system that resents disturbance, so when planting a nursery purchase, keep the rootball intact. This is among the best of climbers for walls, fences, arbors, shade structures, gazebos, and even thrives climbing onto roofs and into tree tops.