Bougainvillea Are A Hardy Burst Of Desert Color

12.16.2010 - Bougainvillea (pronounced BOO-GAN-VEE-YAH) can be found everywhere in the desert landscape and there's good reason for it. These bushes grow like crazy and summer heat doesn't bother them in the least. I have these guys growing up a very hot south-facing wall that gets full sun all summer and it looks gorgeous. They are a fast-growing vine that thrives with very little water.

Bougainvillea are available as a vine or a bush. They also grow in tall, spikey rods called "Torch Glow".

Winter isn't kind to the boungainvillea and when frost hits much of your unprotected plant could die off. Fortunately unless you just planted it the roots will still remain strong and intact, which means your plant will grow back quickly when it warms up. If your bougainvillea has frost damage, leave it alone. When the weather warms up you can trim it back significantly, but not until you start to notice a bit of new growth.

I wouldn't suggest growing these near water features. While it looks beautiful unless you want to skim out your pond or pool a couple of times a day plant them a bit away. The fuschia bracts (no, they aren't the flower) fall off constantly creating a layer of pink on the ground. It actually looks quite elegant in the right area.

Bougainvillea are available in a variety of colors, from reds to oranges to gold to white.