| The bougainvillea is often referred to as the paper | | | | This plant will tolerate different types of soil. |
| flower. Once you see the woody vine up close | | | | However, for best results use a well-drained and |
| you'll immediately understand where it got the | | | | loamy type of dirt. The plant loves direct sunlight |
| name paper flower. The bougainvillea is a member | | | | and is somewhat drought tolerant. |
| of the Nyctaginacea family of plants. | | | | The bougainvillea is best used along fences and |
| This vine-like plant was named after Louis de | | | | walls because of their spreading growth and |
| Bougainvillea, a fine Frenchman who traveled the | | | | beautiful colored flowers. The flowers come in |
| world around 1767. During the winter it will | | | | many colors including pink, red and purple. The |
| temporally shed its leaves. Because of this fact it | | | | plant can also be grown in large container and |
| is considered a semi evergreen plant. | | | | placed on a patio deck in the sun. |
| With its distinctive woody type-vine, watching it | | | | You need to consider a few things before |
| develop can be amazing. When new growth | | | | growing this plant at home. First, if you have |
| sprouts, it usually does so in completely different | | | | young children this is not a good plant to keep. |
| directions. The leaves are heart shaped and soft | | | | Why? The thorns of this plant can easily puncture |
| to the touch. The plant has nasty thorns that will | | | | their skin and cause them to bleed. On the other |
| pierce your skin if accidentally touched or bumped | | | | side of the coin you have the issue of security. |
| into. | | | | Once it has reached maturity the bougainvillea will |
| It can grow to an impressive height of 40 feet or | | | | become a great deterrent to burglars. |
| more. It is routinely found in South America, | | | | Camouflaged behind its beautiful flowers are large, |
| Florida and California They can also be found in | | | | stiff thorns that make it almost impossible to get |
| Asia, Australia and France. | | | | through without serious harm. |