Bougainvillea
Genus which includes vigorous climbing shrubs with long branches, some very thorny others less. Alternate, entire leaves and small white flowers which are almost insignificant but surrounded by three, large brightly coloured bracts which are the real beauty of the plant and which last for all the warm months, from June to October. They grow quickly and in just a few years will cover a large area. Native to South America (above all Brazil), they have found a particularly favourable habitat in mild Mediterranean climates but they also thrive in the lake region and in central Italy where they need however to be placed in a sheltered position. They are also grown in pots in colder climates where they can be kept outside in the summer and taken under cover as soon as the weather turns cold. Bougainvillea prefers siliceous soil but will grow in almost any kind of garden soil as long is it is free from stagnation; the position must be sunny or half-shade. In full shade the flowering is less important. Withstands maritime climate, tolerates hard pruning, even repeated pruning, and so is a good support for standard trees, balls, cones, trellis etc.