Bougainvillea spectabilis is a popular species in gardening. Many people keep them in the garden because they thrive in the sun, grow quickly, and produce wonderful displays of color. Additionally, Bouganvillea glabra seems to be in the bonsai hobby quite a bit.
Since there are so many varieties of Bougainvillea, people keep some variations to focus on flowering colors. While other people focus on leaf variations. The newest 21 Jewel often has more vibrant blooming displays.
Bougainvillea as Bonsai
Frequently, Bonsai keeprs choose Bougainvillea. The Bougainvillea are prolific growers, are fine with pruning, and also survive or thrive in many different climate conditions.
Finally, we are striving for some Bonsai plants, but we also have some in the ground as garden focal points. To each their own I think.
Bouganvillea spectabilis Specifications
- Core Identification & Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Bougainvillea spectabilis.
- Common Name: Bombil (Philippines), Puuti Tai Nobiu (Guam), Paper Flower.
- Family: Nyctaginaceae
- Varietals: buttiana, glabra, spectabilis, peruviana.
- Habitat/Range: Mediterranian, Southern US, South India, Africa, Australia, Asia, South America, etc..
- Morphology & Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Climbing shrub, thorns, with drooping branches.
- Leaves: Alternating, green, variegated?
- Flowers: The flower is the small white center with colorful leaf bracts surrounding it.
- Fruit/Seed: 5 lobed achene.
- Stem/Bark: Large thorns
- Growth: Very Fast
- Bonsai Notes
- Sun Exposure: Full sun 6+ hours daily. This plant can stand the afternoon sun.
- Water Use: Drought tolerant once established, moderate water.
- It can tolerate salt spray in the wild but does not require it.
- Soil Mix: Well-draining sandy or loamy soil.
- Fertilizing: Apply a low-nitrogen and high-phosfate fertilizer every 4 weeks during the active growing season.
- Styling and Maintenance
- Pruning for Ramification: Regular pruning is essentia.
- Defoliation: Partial or full leaf pruning to reduce leaf size, making the tree appear more proportional as a miniature.
- Wiring: Branches wired year-round, but monitor the wire closely may scar if the wire “bites” in during periods of fast growth.
Gallery images
First, we are uploading pictures of our plants to show the parts of a plant that may help in identification. Second, we only have so many plants and my photography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, send us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective.
