Bougainvillea spectabilis is a magenta-flowering plant, but has been found in a variety of shades - reddish-magenta to a blueish-magenta. Bougainvillea is generally given support, typically provided with a large trellis or something else for it to climb. It is covered in blossoms during late spring and summer and really makes quite a colorful display.

Butterflies have been sighted feeding on red-flowering variants of this plant. Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) seem to prefer red-blooming Bougainvillea over the yellow-blooming cultivars. We have them growing side-by-side. We recommend this plant to attract and feed the adult Gulf Fritillary.

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Bougainvillea is a woody, climbing vine that produces thorns and usually blooms in summer. It grows well in Zone 9 and Zone 10. Normally Bougainvillea are treated as a vine and given support, even if that support is a nearby bush. Two novel treatments are worth a try: grow in a container as a topiary specimen or grow as a ground cover. As a container plant it can be positioned on a patio. If trimmed aggressively during the growing season it will both maintain a compact shape and be covered with a riot of blossoms in whatever shade you have selected. As a ground cover it may die back in a frost; perhaps plant in a protected spot or grow in a semi-tropical zone.

Bougainvillea cultivars abound as do the assortment of flower colors. Select a plant when in bloom if you are looking for a specific shade, as cultivar names are numerous and might even be confusing, as some of the names have not been registered. Unregistered plants may produce unreliable blooms.

This is what we know:
Bougainvillea 'James Walker' is slightly pinker than Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst', and Bougainvillea spectabilis can be a bit bluer than either of those. Bougainvillea 'Moncliff' is yellow-blooming. Bougainvillea 'Monio' is redder than the others. Bougainvillea buttiana comes in several shades including yellow. Bougainvillea with variegated leaves are also available. Try Bougainvillea buttiana 'Raspberry Ice'