Bougainvillea is famous for its papery, brilliantly coloured bracts in magenta, pink, orange, white and red, which cover walls and balconies in a blaze of colour. It flowers heavily for many months, particularly in dry, sunny weather, and it often rests briefly after a big flush. It needs lots of sun, little water once established and a light hand with fertiliser, since too much nitrogen gives leaves instead of colour. Prune after a flowering cycle to encourage another, and wear gloves, since the stems are thorny.
