Bougainvillea Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Miss Manila'
![bougainvillea 'Miss Manila'](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b54f113f9b.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
'Miss Manila' is a vibrant variety of bougainvillea, renowned for its stunning display of color. This plant bears an abundance of richly hued bracts, which are often mistaken for flowers, but are actually specialized leaves that surround the plant's smaller, less conspicuous true flowers. 'Miss Manila' is particularly admired for its brilliant pink to magenta bracts that provide a spectacular, long-lasting show of color. In terms of foliage, 'Miss Manila' has a lush green canvas of leaves that create a dense and vibrant backdrop for the vibrant bracts. These leaves are typically heart-shaped or ovate and have a slightly leathery texture. The edges of the leaves may be smooth or slightly wavy, and they're attached to the stems by slender petioles. 'Miss Manila' has a vigorous, sprawling habit, making it ideal for use as a showy ornamental addition in landscapes. This plant can be trained to grow on trellises, fences, and walls where it gracefully drapes in a cascade of color. The branches of 'Miss Manila' are long and somewhat pliable, allowing them to be easily shaped and supported on various structures. The vibrant display is often complemented by thorns that line the plant's stems, lending a protective characteristic to its beauty. The presence of thorns adds an element of resilience to this stunning variety, although care should be taken when handling or pruning to avoid injury. In summary, 'Miss Manila' presents a dramatic statement with its richly colored bracts, lush green leaves, and vigorous growth habit, all of which contribute to its popularity in tropical and subtropical landscaping. It maintains a continuous kaleidoscope of color when in peak condition, requiring minimal maintenance other than training and occasional pruning.
About this plant
Names
Family
Nyctaginaceae
Synonyms
Paper Flower, Lesser Bougainvillea, Miss Manila Bougainvillea
Common names
Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Miss Manila'.
Toxicity
To humans
Bougainvillea is not known to be highly toxic to humans. However, it may cause mild irritation or discomfort if ingested. The sap can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. Ingesting parts of the plant might result in gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or vomiting.
To pets
Bougainvillea is not highly toxic to pets; however, ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal irritation, including vomiting or diarrhea. The plant's sharp thorns can also cause physical injury to pets if ingested or if they come into contact with the animal's skin or eyes.
Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3-4 feet [0.9-1.2 meters]
Spread
3-4 feet [0.9-1.2 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits
- Vibrant Color Displays: Bougainvillea Miss Manila produces an abundance of brightly colored bracts that add vivid color to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this plant is highly drought-tolerant, making it suitable for arid and water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once settled into its environment, only needing occasional pruning to maintain shape and promote new growth.
- Heat Resistance: Thrives in hot climates, making it an excellent choice for sunny, warm areas where other plants might struggle.
- Versatility: Can be trained to grow as a bush, vine, or even a small tree, providing flexibility in garden design and usage.
- Long Blooming Period: Offers prolonged periods of flowering, which can last much of the year in ideal conditions, providing long-term visual interest.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments and making it a more environmentally friendly option.
- Privacy Screen: When grown as a hedge or on trellises, it can serve as a dense and colorful privacy screen.
- Quick Growth: Exhibits rapid growth under the right conditions, allowing for quick establishment and landscape impact.
- Wildlife Attraction: Attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden, promoting biodiversity.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Bougainvillea can be used in bonsai art for creating miniature landscapes, due to its ability to be shaped and pruned into various forms.
- The thorny branches of bougainvillea can serve as a natural deterrent for small animals and trespassers when planted along property boundaries.
- Dried bougainvillea flowers can be used to create vibrant natural dyes for fabrics or art projects.
- Fresh bougainvillea blooms make eye-catching edible decorations for salads and desserts, although they don't impart much flavor.
- The flexible branches of bougainvillea can be woven into baskets or other craft items, offering an unusual textural element.
- The papery texture of bougainvillea bracts can be incorporated into handmade paper, providing an interesting visual appeal.
- In frost-free regions, bougainvillea can be trained to grow over arbors or pergolas, providing a shaded area while displaying its colorful blooms.
- The plant's rapid growth and dense foliage can be used for creating living sculptures in gardens or parks.
- Bougainvillea branches can be used as natural, decorative stakes for supporting other plants in the garden.
- Used in photography and film, bougainvillea provides a vibrant and exotic backdrop for various types of visual media.
Interesting Facts
Feng Shui
The Bougainvillea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Bougainvillea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Beauty: Bougainvillea is often associated with beauty due to its bright and vibrant bracts that come in various colors.
- Passion: The intense colors of the bougainvillea's flowers symbolize passion and strong emotions.
- Resilience: Bougainvillea can thrive in tough conditions, representing resilience and the ability to persevere.
- Welcome: In some cultures, bougainvillea planted near the home is seen as a sign of welcome and hospitality.
Water
Bougainvillea should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch; this typically means watering once every week or two, depending on climate conditions. When watering, use approximately 1 gallon of water for each watering session to ensure the roots receive enough moisture without becoming waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, watering frequency may need to increase due to quicker soil drying. In contrast, during the cooler months, water less often, as the plant's water requirements decrease. Always make sure the plant has good drainage to prevent root rot.
Light
Bougainvilleas thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to promote strong growth and vibrant blooms. A south-facing outdoor spot or a sunny window if grown indoors is ideal for Bougainvillea to receive adequate light. Avoid placing it in low-light conditions, as this can reduce flowering and lead to leggy, weak growth.
Temperature
Bougainvilleas prefer warm temperatures and do well in environments where the temperatures range from 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods, but frost can damage the plant. The ideal temperature range for robust growth and flowering is between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Pruning Bougainvillea helps to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more blooms. The best time to prune is after the plant has finished a flowering cycle, typically in late winter or early spring. Pruning can be done every few months to remove dead wood and control size; however, avoid over-pruning as it can reduce flowering. Light trimming can be done throughout the year to shape the plant and remove any unwanted or overgrown branches.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Bougainvillea requires well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.0. A mix of equal parts perlite, peat, and pine bark is ideal. This provides aeration, moisture retention, and drainage, crucial for Bougainvillea's health.
Repotting
Bougainvillea should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it becomes root-bound. Younger plants may require more frequent repotting, while established plants can be repotted less often.
Humidity & Misting
Bougainvillea prefers moderate to low humidity levels, as too much humidity can lead to fungal issues. It thrives in typical household humidity conditions, making it quite adaptable.
Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright sunlight, keep slightly root-bound for better blooms.
Outdoor
Full sun, warm location, protect from frost and strong winds.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Miss Manila', commonly known as Bougainvillea, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in well-draining soil and warm conditions. Seedlings emerge and grow into young plants with characteristic thorny stems and heart-shaped leaves. As the plant matures, it produces vibrant, papery bracts in a range of colors that surround the small, white true flowers, with the most active growth and blooming occurring in the warm season. After pollination, the plant may produce small, inconspicuous fruits containing seeds, but propagation is more commonly achieved through cuttings. Bougainvillea requires a period of reduced water and cooler temperatures to encourage blooming, emulating a dry season. The life cycle can continue for many years, as Bougainvillea plants are perennial and can survive for decades with proper care.
Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Bougainvillea x buttiana 'Miss Manila', commonly known as Bougainvillea, is best propagated through stem cuttings. The most popular time to take cuttings for propagation is during the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches long and taken from semi-hardwood, which is mature wood that is not too old or too green. The leaves at the bottom half of the cutting should be removed and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone for better success. These cuttings are then planted in well-draining soil and kept moist but not waterlogged. It usually takes several weeks for roots to develop, during which time the cuttings should be kept in bright, indirect light. Once rooted, the plants can be transplanted to their final location where they can be nurtured to grow into the vibrant, colorful flowering shrubs that are characteristic of Bougainvillea.