Bougainvillea is a colourful, blooming plant use for the decoration of fences, walls, gardens, parks, etc. it has tolerance for low water areas and salt conditions. Bougainvillea needs regular pruning to respond well.
Common Types of Bougainvillea
There is, considerably, a large variety of Bougainvillea. However, in Hong Kong, you can popularly find these three:
- Bougainvillea spectabilis
Bougainvillea spectabilis is also known as great bougainvillea. It reproduces sexually by seed and vegetative by cutting and stem fragments; it it grows in the tropical and warm temperate region of the world. Spectabilis prefer well-drained soil and with PH range from 5.5 to 7.0, it can also grow on sandy, loamy and clay soil, keeping them for a long time in temperature below 10 degrees isn't a good idea, it is ideal to keep them under full sun.
- Bougainvillea glabra
Bougainvillea glabra is the most common species of bougainvillea, the flower is smaller compared to spectabilis, even at that, it attracts attention with its colorful and changed leaves; the colour is in shades of purple, red, and pink
- Bougainvillea arborea
Bougainvillea Arborea is thornless, bushy, mass flowering with a sense of pleasant fragrance, it rarely needs much trimming as it naturally keeps a delicate shape.
You may also be able to find some Bougainvillea via online flower shop https://giftflowers.com.hk or at Lunar New Year Flower Fairs in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year each year.
Planting Conditions for Bougainvillea
- Bougainvillea needs a lot of suns; plant bougainvillea where there is full sun
- The soil must be well-drained, rich loamy soil is ideal
- Handle the root ball with care while transplanting in the soil as the root is fragile and can easily break
- Water it with a lot of water when it is first planted but once establish, reduce the watering.