Bougainvillea, Great ‘Raspberry Ice’ unrooted cuttings (3)

Description

Bougainvillea brasiliensis variegata | Great Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice’ variegated unrooted cuttings

Great Bougainvillea, also known as Paper Plant, is a beautiful colorful vine native to Brazil that’s grown extensively as a landscaping shrub and potted plant throughout much of the tropics, subtropics, and warm temperate zones (down to about USDA zone 8b/9a). Most Bougainvilleas that are grown in cultivation are cultivars/hybrids of two of the three primary species available in cultivation.

In warm areas plants may remain evergreen, but in marginal climates may be deciduous. Bougainvilleas will grow in all hot climates, whether humid or dry; but you’ll probably find the finest plants with the heaviest bloom in drier climates. Climates with large amounts of rainfall may not support as much color as is seen in drier, sunnier climates, however some humidity is needed to stimulate flowering activity. Requires full sun and does not do well in the shade. Also does not tolerate cold and wet conditions. In colder areas it makes a good hanging basket and can potentially be brought indoors, however it doesn’t usually make a good house plant because it demands very bright light, but that’s not to say that many folks don’t pull it off anyway.

Bougainvilleas are grown primarily for their amazing and brilliantly colored leaves, called carpals… similar to a Dogwood trees ‘flowers. The tissue-paper thin carpals are often mistaken for flowers, which are fairly diminutive in size by comparison and are solid bright white, making a great contrast against the vivid papery carpals, of which photographs just can’t do justice. The leaves of this ‘Raspberry Ice’ are variegated creamy white with pinkish variegation on the new growth tips, making this vine even more spectacular!  The leaf and flower color combo of bright pink against cream and green is startling and is a site worth seeing. But look and don’t touch, as the vine has thorns growing along its length. Care should be taken to site it where it will not be a danger to children or pets.

Great Bougianvillea are aggressive, fast growers and are fairly easy to form into massive hedges or shrubs, espalier, or even a flowing hanging potted plant.. ‘Orange Ice’ takes more of a shrubby, mounding form, but it may start climbing up any nearby objects using its waxy thorns, allowing the vines to hook themselves onto chainlink, brick, iron etc. If situated up against a residence it is advised to not let it grow onto it and to keep it trimmed back away from the structure every couple years.

Likes sandy, acidic soil. Will tolerate salt spray.

When container growing, Bougainvillea do exceptional when they are root bound, and are sensitive to being moved from one location to another, so when they are brought to a new location the humidity change could cause some of the leaves to fall odd, but do not despair, the plant will adjust and push out new growth.

Fertilize regularly for best performance, although they do seem to do great without much input. Fertilizers should be on the potassium and phosphorous side, rather than nitrogen or you may get a rapidly growing vine and sparse flowers.

Perennial in zones 9+. Annual in all others.

Outdoor light exposure: Full sun

Indoor light exposure: Extra bright

Mature height: 3-4 ft

Mature width: 4-6 ft

Hardiness zones: 9-11