Grow Bougainvillea; add color and beauty to the landscape

Bougainvillea tree, the very name reminds you of the fuchsia flowers delicately hanging from the boughs of a thorny creeper. Whether the fragile beauty of the pink bougainvillea flowers or the white patina of the bougainvillea blooms, it is the very delicate sheen of the plant, which diffuses the magic of dream and joy amidst its color and beauty.

A native of Brazil, the bougainvillea was first spotted by the French botanist Philibert Commerson in the year 1760 and named it bouganvillea after his friend and captain, Louis A. de Bougainville, a noted lawyer, mathematician, and explorer from Canada. Hence began the journey of bougainvillea tree as one of the most sought after plants for decorative purpose.

Bougainvillea with crisp, paper like flower is easy to grow. Being a tropical plant , sunshine and plenty of water are two important factors, needed for its growth. Neither frost nor chilly wind is welcome by the bougainvillea plant. Warm climate is therefore the ideal season to plant the bougainvillea.

Although, bougainvillea loves the dry and warm climate yet do not fail to water them daily. Regular watering and 5-6 hours of constant sunshine will make your bougainvillea to bloom better.

Supply your bougainvillea plant with a phosphorus, iron and magnesium enriched fertilizer, depending upon the soil type. For a healthy growth you need to prune your bougainvillea during the end of the winter or latest by the early spring. If you have a healthy flowering bougainvillea, then start making more plants from the mother tree.

Cut sections of around 6 inches long and immerse them in rooting hormones. Strip off the bottom leaves and also moisten the section before you plant it into small pots, filled with fertilizer and sand. Keep an eye to the growth and only after they visibly develop the roots transplant the bougainvillea plant to a sunny spot in your garden. However, ensure not to disturb their cantankerous root whilst replanting.

How to replant your bougainvillea

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the pot.

• Set the bougainvillea shrub in the hole and now gently slide the pot from around the root area

• Do not drop the plant while replanting. Also do not tamp on the planted area with your boot.

• Gently handle your bougainvillea vine to add that little extra to your landscape with the delicate shimmer of the bougainvillea flowers.