Saturday, November 26, 2011

Barbara Karst Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

(boo-gan-VIL-lee-uh)


This variety of Bougainvillea is one of the better ones for cultivation in our area. We have had it in a pot for several years now. It usually blooms during the winter and invariably needs to be dug out of a corner when it starts to bloom. I don’t try and use it during the summer anymore since it usually only has a couple of scattered blooms. It is nice to have and I am jealous of the people that can grow it outdoors year round. This specimen is kept in control by occasional shearing because in a container the natural kind of wild growth habit wouldn’t be acceptable. Other than that it takes virtually no maintenance except a handful of granular fertilizer once in a while.


This photo shows the actual white flowers of Bougainvillea. The colorful parts are bracts, which are modified or specialized leaves. It is one of the showiest examples of bracts that I know of. They help in attracting pollinators.

2 comments:

ramblingwoods said...

You have some wonderful photos here.. Sorry to hear you have to be on blood-thinners as it makes life more challenging with the cold and in preventing too much bleeding...Michelle

Helene Orskaug said...

Wow! Bougainvilla is one of my favourites!
Thanks for sharing this georgeous photo:o)

Helene