A Tribute to an
awesum plant Bougainvellia! For the one that has tolerated my whims and fancies
and still stays with us giving us loads of vibrant blooms( I have trimmed them,
cut and thrown so many , got real angry with the thorns, after feng shui
reading wanted to remove all, and still
kept one stub of a stem that is so caring , it still loves me! And am planning to
add some lovely colors this season!)
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| Vibrant Pink Bougainvilleas |
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| Lilac Purple Bougainvilleas in a Plant Exhibition |
A native to Brazil and South America. Heart shaped leaves of
bougainvillea fascinating awesum colors brilliance and glow. From shocking pinks
magentas lilacs to peach to mango colored we see these beautiful plants all
over the world. They are very strong, resistant and forgiving plants! can tolerate
most of the climates and bloom all year round. The bracts are colorful paper thin and inside
we see a tiny tubular off white or white flower.
The name bougainvellia is a tribute to Admiral Louis Antoine
de Bougainvella, a Frenchman, as he was the captain of the ship that travelled
around the globe as an explorer in 1768 in Brazil. (www.classyplaques.com) It was first
noticed by Jeanne Bare’ a woman, expert in botany. Discovered by Philbert
Commerson 1768. Also know as Buganvilla in Spain, bugambilia in Mexico, Veranera
in Columbia Costa Rica, Napoleon in
Honduras, trinitaria in Columbia Peurto Rico, Santa Rita in Argentina,
Papellilo Northern Peru (Wikepedia). Malaysians call it bunga kekwa or paper
flower. Due to the thorns it also has got a nick name devil flower, pua kepalo,
in Hawai.
The name of this genus has gone immense changes and finally
crowned as Bougainvellia. National flower of the Carribbean nation of Granada
and the United States Territory of Guam. Also an official flower of many
countries in Malaysia and Taiwan. In United States this is a floral symbol of
Three California cities Camerillo , Laguna Niguel, San Clementi.
In Hawai it is strung into garlands, Leis, traditional floral
garlands and is a great symbol for welcome. The city of Darwin hosted for many years
a Bougainville festival every year,
Darwin Festival, for this awesome colorful
blooming plant. The Bougainvillea society of India too sponsors an annual
festival.
Bougainvellia is influenced by the Scorpio Zodiac sign. National
flower of Lienchiang country.
The plant is tough and can tolerate snow cold climates as
well as hot ones. Even near sea shores and salt water it can grow happily. What
more they look awesum even as bonsai plants with vibrant blooms and growing
happily in hanging baskets. What we see
today are mostly hybrids of the originals and we see a lot of multi colored, shade
and unique bougainvillea plants. More than 300 over species the plant is often selected
for its attractive vibrant all year round blooms.
Just like they grow outdoors happily these awesum ones can
enjoy indoor too. With the lovely blooms even growing with bonsai techniques
these plants burst into colorful blooms. A thick stem of bougainvillea with
some branches can be grown in a container indoors with indirect sunlight. The
plant grows as vines or climbers and are great as fences, patios and garden
wall covers.
Now for some practical
tips for bougainvillea’s growing an displaying-
When they love you they immensely love you! So I had planted
them in a big container and they just kept blessing me with loads and loads of
stems and blooms.
1) Trimming is an important part of this thorny vine and a difficult
one too. Wear gloves and thick clothes full sleeves, to avoid scratches from
thorns.
2) Place them carefully. Containers must be away from eye level,
that is not in traffic areas where people can get hurt by brushing up against
the thorny climbers.
3) Over watering is one problem, they may not like it. Plant
leaves are loved by pests and birds sometimes gorge on it leaving the plant barren
but still the awesum one gives out blooms!
4) Tie it carefully, they just don’t have any discipline!
Each stem bursts into plenty and plenty of branches, any how, so they need to be shaped and directed in a beautiful
manner.
5) Very very good for protection from animals. Thorns do come
handy. Fences and garden walls covered with vibrant blooms add up to beauty and
act as protection symbols. And privacy from inquisitive neighbors!
6) Growing bonsai with bougainvillea, thick stem with small branches.
Keep it on side of table or choose a corner not frequently used so they can grow
happily and you can enjoy the beauty of the blooms.
7) Higher level
growing with bougainvillea’s is also good, like hanging baskets that do not
come in between traffic areas where you walk.
8) If the plant grows profusely and does not flower, trim them
and add fertilizer. Otherwise most are happy in their own and give out all year
round blooms.
9) Some species or varieties of Bougainvillea’s are more stronger
than other colors. Shocking fuchsia and pinks and great tough ones, practically
experienced.
10) In feng shui thorny plants are to be avoided, but the
awesum tempting blooms are just too much to do away with. Grow them safely at higher
level or areas which can be seen by far, corners, window sills, so that no one feels shar energy from them.
Only happiness!
With the hot summers these awesum blooms are every where enjoying
the majestic beauty and adding up beauty and grace to every space they are grown
in.
Meanwhile a lot happening under the sun! Our Gulmohar/ flame of the forest that was quiet for months has given out so
many buds!!!!! Immense Happiness!!!and Allamanda has given out huge reddish maroon blooms!
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| Allamanda Flowers Large sized blooms |
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| Fresh buds on Gulmohar / Flame of the forest tree in Container |
Hope you enjoy your summers! Have a Great
Colorful Vibrant season from Rizwana!
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