One of the favorite hobbies of many people, especially after the pandemic confinement period, is the creation of private gardens. Whether in an apartment or at home, taking care of little plants earns many people the affectionate title of “mother” or “father” of a plant.
For those who like the practice, the bougainville it is the ideal species to help compose this space of relaxation and contemplation.
And there’s no one better to give tips on how to grow it than the landscaper. Luciano Zanardowhich signs the Terraço Hélade, in the CASACOR São Paulo — project that uses the brazilian native flower to delight and inspire visitors.
Also known as Spring, Three Marys or paper flowerthis rustic genre is famous for its vibrant colors and its ease of adapting to various climates.
It is, of course, a kind bindweed — a feature that made the French, when they found it in Rio de Janeiro around 1767, call it a “wonderful vine”.
An excellent option for anyone who is still a beginner in the world of gardens, Bougainville requires low maintenance. According to the professional at the head of Zanardo Paisagismo, the watering must be performed in Every other daybetween two and three times a week, depending on the season.
At these times, an attentive look can help to understand the flower’s need. For example, if the buttons are falling off, the caregiver is probably not providing enough water. Now, if the number of flowers is smallthe opposite is the case: the owner is overwatering.
Fertilization should be done once a month and the expert’s tip is to use NPK 4-14-8 fertilizer.
“Bougainvilles need full sun for its development. At Terraço Hélade, we can see that they are exposed in an open area with no roof. In semi-shade environments, I don’t recommend growing it”, Zanardo advises when addressing the design process for his space at CASACOR, where the delicate flowering in bunches marks the exhibition.
In addition to simple care, the beauty of Bougainville is the possibility of growing it both in outdoors as internal. However, in apartments, attention needs to be redoubled to guarantee exactly the high incidence of sun, essential for its development, that the landscaper recommended.
Another important point to take into account is the vase dimension: Zanardo recommends a large piecewith resistant material, such as Vietnamese or wired cement.
In direct planting in the ground, the flower must be grown in fertile soil, previously prepared with chemical or organic fertilizers — always remembering to favor environments in full sun.
“It is essential to emphasize the importance of light, as one of the most common mistakes in the care of Bougainville is precisely the lack of sunlight, together with excess water and the lack of fertilization and cleaning of dry leaves and branches”, points out Zanardo .
When it comes to color, the most traditional is pink Or the lilac. In fact, the intense purple hue, which blooms in the winter period, was chosen by the landscaper to compose CASACOR’s Mediterranean-style terrace.
However, the white, red, yellow and orange pigmentations, whose flowering occurs in spring and summer, also make up the repertoire.
Now it only remains to find out where to get the “wonderful vine” and what is the best stage for buying it. According to the landscaper, Bougainville can be found in the main garden centers and on Company of Warehouses and General Warehouses of São Paulo (CEAGESP), where they are usually sold in plastic vases.
Although they are available in several formats, the ideal is to prioritize one already with flowering. And there’s no reason to worry: even after the fall, with proper care, the buds return in a few months.