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Krohn Conservatory Bonsai #6 - Bougainvillea

Scientific Name:

  • Bougainvillea buttiana

Species

  • Bougainvillea

Type of Tree

Bonsai Style:


This Bougainvillea was a demonstration tree for the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati in 2007 and was originally styled by bonsai artist Erik Wigert.  It was donated to the Krohn Conservatory by the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati in 2008. 

The pot is round, unglazed, brown in color, and is 6 inches deep. 

Bouginvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees belonging to the four o' clock family, Nyctaginaceae. It is native to eastern South America and found from Brazil, west to Peru, and south to southern Argentina.  This is Grenada's national flower.

The "flowers" are modified leaves, called bracts, that are long-lasting and bright. The colorful bracts outshine the plant's true (but tiny) flower, much like a poinsettia.

Bougainvillea requires full sun and performs better when its soil is left a little dry, making this a perfect plant for the drought-tolerant landscape.

Germination Year
1960 (Age: 62 years)
In Training Since
2008 (15 years)
Acquired in
2008
Insect Control

It appears to be insect resistant.