(A Bougainvillea Bonsai)
These hardy perennial flowering bougainvillea plants are the most common sight everywhere you go. Yes, the bougainvilleas. However most of these plants that you will see will have few flowers, if any at all. Strange as it seems, we need to know something about the local culture. Most people simply planted the bougainvilleas and left them at that, without fertilizers and pruning. These plants won't die because they are by nature very resilient and very hardy. All they need to survive are water and sunshine; and there plenty of them in tropical countries. But don't expect a burst of flowering abundance, without proper trimming and regular fertilizing.
Bougainvilleas come in numerous colourful shades of flowers. The leaves can be grouped into 3 types; green, green with yellow, and light green with yellow. As for the flowers, they are a sight to enjoy. From the very brilliant red to purple, pink, orange and pure white. The bougainvilleas come in different shapes and sizes. They are so hardy that you can do whatever to them. Plant them in pots, which is the usual and most common practice. Or plant them on the ground and they will grow into big trees. You can even create a flowering hedge with them. And the most fascinating treat is creating a bonsai bougainvillea, like the photo above.
As an amatuer garden potter, my first choice of flowering plants is the bougainvillea. The bougainvilleas are so easy to take care. If the bougainvilleas die on you each time, something must be seriously wrong with you. I would suggest that you then change your hobby to "flower watching"!
Ok. I shall sign off now for this very first posting of mine. I shall write much more on this hardy and fascinating plant in due course. Everything you need to know as an amatuer garden potter on the bougainvilleas will be revealed in interesting stages. Just like gardening, it takes time and patience to harvest the fruity and flowery rewards, with a little knowledge to give our plants the special touch of our tender loving care.
In the meantime, be healthy and be happy.
