Bougainvillea White-Pink

Extremely showy, Bougainvillea 'Imperial Delight' is a semi-dwarf, vigorous, evergreen shrub or vine with elegant clusters of white papery bracts suffused with pale pink, surrounding tiny white flowers. Emerging white, the bracts mature to a delicate translucent pink giving it a lovely bicolored look. Blooming periodically throughout the year in warm winter areas, and from summer to fall elsewhere, the colorful blossoms give way to small inconspicuous fruits, 1/2 in. long (1 cm). The flowers are borne on stems clad with sharp spines and oval, pointed, medium to dark green leaves. A favorite of birds and hummingbirds.

Tuck the bougainvillea branches behind these guidance supports at regular intervals. Keep a close eye on growth and adjust as necessary until the bougainvillea starts covering the wall or other surface.

Bougainvillea plants are a beloved addition to many gardens and walls Bougainvillea is a vine-like, thorny shrub that grows rampantly. It can be trained to climb trellises or be planted as an attractive but thornily impenetrable barrier, and it can also serve as a groundcover. Bougainvilleas have beautiful, brightly colored bracts, which are specialized leaves that contain the plant s flowers.

Bougainvilleas are hardy throughout the South but young growth will be damaged by frost. Optimum growing temperatures are warm days.

Caring for Bougainvillea

• Wait for the first colorful bracts to form and fall in spring.
• Once they fall, prune excess growth Fertilize.
• This will cause new bloom on the shorter flowering spurs.
• Repeat during the flowering season as needed.