Bougainvillea

This genus includes sprawling shrubs native to South America that later spread throughout the Mediterranean basin, with long and sometimes thorny branches. The flowers remain on the plant from June to October; they are small and white but have three colorful bracts that give a very decorative touch. They grow rapidly and are also cultivated in pots in colder climates, kept outdoors in summer and sheltered at the start of the cold season. They grow well in any well-drained soil but prefer siliceous soils. For vigorous flowering, they require full sun or partial shade exposure. They are used for hedges, spheres, cones, and tolerate sea air and pruning well.