Bougainvillea - My Collections
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It is interesting to know the Bougainvillea originated from the eastern part of South America i.e. from Brazil to southern Argentina and also west to Peru. Depending on which schools of thought you follow, bougainvillea plants could be narrowed down to between 4 To 18 species. Of course by now with myriads varieties of colours and hybrids there are well over 250 types of plants. The plant was after French admiral Louis Bougainville. Basically the species first identified was B. Spectabilis which deep purple and B.glabra which dark red. The later species that came into prominence would be to he B.peruviana. From there with cross breed and hybrids another species B.buttiana with yellow orange hue, emerged as another species. My attempts in gathering names and attach
these with pictures seem irrelevant. Still it was rewarding for me having
ventured into searching for commercial names Part1 - The normal Bougainvillea colours that we are used to! On his page, as a matter of fun I will attempt to attach names to the colours that I think was destined. Just to show how strong was the craze to enhance the value of collecting odd and specialised species Picture No.1 The colours of the flowers on the trees varies from one tree to another is different shades. Then when the picture is compared, this hue definitely too bright and too light. If I need to attach a name then my choice is "Rosenka"
This plant that I am still having is a very good hybrid. The deep lilac colour is sweet and new flower comes out with a lighter shades petals plus having a glow. I have searched and could not find a match for name! Picture No.2
The colour of this picture is way out. Actually the flowers are bright red. Then the individual flowers quite sparsely separated I would equate this breed to "Red Indian" Picture No.3
Almost the same hue with the above species. this time the flowers are better clustered. I would attach the name "Kristina" Picture No.4
At one time, this was my favourite plant producing multi-hued flowers and a very productive plant. the local called it "Ice-cream" but now looking at my table. I would choose it as "Red September" Picture No. 5
Now comes the even more harder to identify shades - Lilac. This is a prolific blooming plants which given a right profile the bush has immense value as an ornamental piece. Generally stand alone, the flowers fades in shade within a day Picture No.6
This species was among my earliest collection. It is sort of dark pastel pink. But look at it properly It is rather unique pattern They called this species "Mary Palmer" Picture No.7
This flower I have taken here in macro could most likely be the early flowers from an inflorescence of "Ice Cream" Matured flower has pink and white. This one has a pattern on its petal. Picture No.8
This Orange is very brilliant. I could only attach it as "Butterfly Orange" Picture No.9
"Butterfly yellow" isa common species with its sparsely spread bright yellow blooms. Not shown here the species having same shade but the flowers are better gathered is "Yellow Monalisa" Picture No.10
This white has long petals which is diiferent from the normal Bougainville flowers Picture No.11 . The flowers in picture 12 are fairly compact and gathered in clutches This I would called this species "Dania White" Picture No.12
Then the species having their white flowers separated from one another "Butterfly White" Picture No.13
Part 2 - Bougainvillea plants with variegated leaves The second part - colours of flowers from the original plants and their hybrids colours plus a new trend at that time. Just to show examples - the preferred plants this time with variegated leaves Picture No.1
As if the variation in colours was not exciting enough, next came a breed of plants having the same colour but a different kind of leaves Variegated Leaves Bougainville. Picture No.2
This plant with very pale lilac coloured flowers are terrific bloomers It may look a little peachy too. I would give it a name of "Mas Perak" Picture No.3
Part 3 - Bougainvillea plants in my garden We could recalled how the plants were doing in my garden. Once upon a time. But first look at what I am still having right now. Picture No.1
An example where the plant was allowed a very broad head, then leading to a glorious bloom. The full foliages wee still there. When the really dry season comes, and the when the amount of flowers exceeding that of leaves. Would be spectacular. Many growers were left disillusioned about Bougainville as a collection. Problem - the collection were shinny plants with leaves and little flowers. The plants were not covered with flowers. A little spatters here and there. While there were a large selection of colors for the flowers and planning for all of them to bloom simultanously would be giving a myriads of colors. This does not happen!. Bougainville do gives gorgeous bloom. Keeping Bougainville for bloom is a totally different kind of game. Reason - The plants are unable to be nurtured in its full glory in small flower pot. The plants needs space to exhibits its full potentials. Like keeping it separated and allows the plant to develop into a full grown plant. As reference, the plant may needs to be grown till it is at least 5-6feet tall with a spread of about 3 feet diameter. Then,when it blooms, like the picture below, though not overwhelming gorgeous but extraordinary. Picture No.2
At one time, the garden had plants scattered and bloom sporadically. Like this example, diferent bushes full size plant do bloom with significance. Picture No.3
Now this plant at the porch in full bloom -one plant in 2 colours and with variegated leaves as well. Picture No.4
Another example - though not giving spectacular blooms, plants tall enough will have fair good blooms. Picture No.5
In another part of the garden, this series of plants kept in tiny pot and close proximity did produce some effects of multicolored Bougainville. Picture No.6
Once more, like going down memory lane I ventured into a plants that had seen better days. in today's society, gardening enthusiast are going for different types of ornamental plants. Many species or types of plants that I started collecting and nurtured in my garden in 1968 are no longer interesting specimens. Bougainvillea hot favorite at one time, is unfortunately one of those long forgotten plants. Left neglected by roadsides, growing wild and unkempt. Even in nursery, merchandise of Bougainville were displayed in tiny corners as by-products. I pity those who had put in do much efforts creating new hybrids in the past. Exhibitions attended by the few die-hards. I am one of them. Still keeping a few as souvenirs, to have traces or sample plants. They may not be trendy but always beautiful to me. Above all, the plant are comparatively low maintenance and need little effort or following up.
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