Climber
Paper flower
Bougainvillea glabra
A vigorous thorny climber with papery magenta bracts surrounding tiny flowers. It needs strong sunlight and frost-free conditions; cooler climates call for container culture and protected wintering.
- Size
- 4–8 m high · 2.5–4 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Frost sensitive
- Seasonal form
- Semi-evergreen
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Provide a sturdy support, space for thorny shoots and a bright frost-free wintering place in cold climates.
Why choose it
- Papery bracts create a striking display during warm, sunny growth periods.
Care
- Let the substrate surface dry between waterings and never leave roots standing in water.
- Train shoots and prune to manage size; wear gloves around thorns.
Good to know
- Foliage retention depends on temperature and moisture; partial leaf loss does not make it a frost-hardy climber.