Bougainvilla

The deep red Bougainvilla by the house has been blooming since April ...




... with Oleander blooming ...


... but the pink one over the entrance gate has just started ...

 

There is something odd with the pink one this year ... it has developed a red sport ...

 

Prune around that bit then and see if it comes back next year.

 

Meh, not jealous......much

 

When I first saw that beauty I just had to double check what I already knew....that you aren't in the UK, and indeed I was right! I see Bougainville all the time when holidaying abroad, beautiful plant.

Believe it or not they sell these in my local garden centre, along with Callistemons too (bottlebrush plants). Why they think that these kind of plants can survive, let alone thrive, in our bleak climate I'll never know.

 

I've tried and failed to grow Bougies outside in the ground here, but Callistemons thrive, even after very cold or very wet winters.

 

The bougie I have is Violet de Meze I believe, its one of the hardiest and grows pretty well when growing on walls in the London area, so should be ok in similar situations.

I agree Bottle brush if you get the right species or variety is pretty hardy.

 

We don't have named varieties here .. almost with everything. I am serious and go to the two best GCs in Algarve and am not shy of paying for I want. The "common" ones are the best with everything here, seriously ... and are the hardest to find. A dear friend of many years owned an exotic garden center (actually the first n Algarve inherited from his father) will agree with me. I have bought lots from him. He has asked ME for advice.

 

Off topic, but the more specialised (aka precious) my choices have been - especially bonsai and acers - the worst they have fared. For years now, my preferences have been Mediterranean and prairie plants, which have done very well (in Berkshire). If I had to choose a favourite, it is red valerian, which is basically a wildflower. I love it, and it has naturalised all over England.

 

The Pink one is still blooming over the gate ...

 

Lovely @Victoria !

 

I took the plunge and bought a 'Violet de Mèze' earlier this year. It's been planted near the pool but not in the most sheltered spot, so will be wrapped up for this, it's first winter.
I'm going to have to exercise iron self-control come January when we go to India. The Bougainvilleas cost the equivalent of £1 out there...so tempting to accidentally find a couple in the suitcase on the way back

 

@noisette47 - won't they notice them at customs?

 

I have visions of a suitcase going through customs with leaves poking out the sides.
I think the bougie I have is violet de meze.

 

When I brought them back to UK, they were washed in mild insecticide solution (no soil) and wrapped in beach towels to protect them from the cold in the hold. Along with loads of cuttings of various beautiful shrubs and climbers. No problems Times and technology may have changed, though, so it's a gamble. One worth taking for a few rupees, although now I think of it, do I really need any more pots? The answer to that is a definite 'no'