Meenu Kumari*, Deepti Singh,

Prospects Paramveer Singh and

Sanjay Sahay

Boungainvillea: An ideal ornamental plant for

landscaping and pollution control

Bougainvilleas have drawn interest of amateurs and garden plant lovers alike.
High degree of variability and diverse uses has made them a plant of choice for
landscape architects. It has also proven to be an ideal plant for green buildings
and greening of wastelands, highways, etc. where landscaping needs to be
promoted for minimizing different types of pollution and greening of extreme
drought prone and marginal areas.

B OUGAINVILLEA is an ornamental perennial shrub

belonging to the family Nyctigenaceae and native
of dry tropical region of South America. It was first
known as paper flower because of its bract, which are
thin and papery, and thus it is the most common and
widely cultivated. Accordingly, on the basis of bract type,
introduced in India from Europe in 1860 and is a versatile the bougainvillea is divided into two groups, i.e. single
plant, which grows very well under the tropical and sub- bracted and double/ multi-bracted.
tropical conditions. This crop requires minimum water,
nutrition and maintenance for its vegetative growth and Single bracted: It has bracts in single layer enclosing
flowering. This plant grows well in saline and alkaline inconspicuous flowers. Cultivars such as Mary Palmer,
soils too, and is drought and pollutant resistant. The Dr B.P. Pal, Shubhra, Partha, etc. are the most popular
quality of hardiness, tolerance to drought, heat, sunshine, single bracted varieties.
soil and water pollution, etc. has led to its great demand
among landscape architects, horticulturists and garden Double/Multi-bracted: These varieties have number
lovers for development of home gardens (indoor and of bracts in a cluster of 20-40. Cultivars such as Cherry
outdoor), factory gardens, airport surroundings, roadside Blossom, Los Banos Beauty, Mahara, Roseville’s Delight
and dividers, newly built township gardens, etc. Like rose, etc. are the popular double bracted types.
no garden is complete without bougainvillea, since it is
very easy to maintain. Global varietal wealth
One of the most important hybrids in bougainvillea
The genus Bougainvillea comprises about 18 species was discovered by Mrs Butt and named after her,
of semi-deciduous Central and South American shrubs Bougainvillea × buttiana. Mrs Butt’s bougainvillea is an
or woody vines with thorny stem and persistent, spine- accidental garden hybrid between the Brazilian species
like inflorescence stalks. Majorly, three species are B. glabra and the northern Andean species B. peruviana.
grown throughout the warm regions of the world and all Later, complex hybrids among the cultivated species,
the popular varieties available in the garden/ research together with natural mutations and variegation, lead to
institutes/ nurseries have evolved from the species like evolution of several varieties. Planned hybridization has
B. spectabilis, B. glabra and B. peruviana. The magnificent also led to evolution of host of bract colours ranging from
showy bract is the modification of leaves. B. glabra is red, orange and yellow through purple to white. Presently,

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Variegated Bougainvillea collection at CPWD Govt Cascading view of bougainvillea
Mehrauli nursery

July–August 2022 25
 Dr H.C. Buck Dr H.B. Singh Lady Hudson

distinctive magenta-coloured bracts of some bougainvillea hardy and grows well in low soil moisture and nutrition
genotypes have also been evolved and several of them conditions.
have been patented.
Propagation
National varietal wealth It is most successfully and commercially propagated
India has over 100 varieties being maintained from 10-15 cm long hardwood cuttings having 2-3 nodes
at different research institutions and gardens. The during July-September. The cuttings are treated with
Bougainvillea Garden at Indian Agricultural Research rooting hormone of Rootex™ powder having IBA to
Institute, New Delhi has the highest number of promote better and uniform rooting. The cuttings should
bougainvillea germplasm. Based on the bract colour, be inserted in well drained coarse medium made as raised
some of the popular varieties are listed hereunder. bed. Only one cutting may be inserted in polybag of size
Pink to deep pink: Pixie, Louise Wathen, Thimma, Kalyani. 20 cm × 10 cm filled with sand and soil mix. Cocopeat
Mauve: Trinidad, Refulgens, Sachidananda. and vermiculite (4:1) can also be used for better rooting
Purple: Sanderiana, Mahara, Los Banos Beauty, Cypheri. when using polybags. After 30-45 days, leaves emerge
White: Shubhra (Highly proliferous), Dr B.P. Pal, Snow and it should remain in polythene bags. However, rooting
Queen, Snow White, Buddhadas. takes about 4-6 weeks. About 30-45 cm long plants with
Orange: Roseville’s Delight, Golden Glow. good foliage and well spread branches are transplanted
Yellow: Lady May Baring, Enid Lancaster, etc. in 8-10 cm pot after 8-12 months. The best time for
Bicolour: Mary Palmer Special (White and Magenta), planting hardwood cuttings is during February-March and
Partha (Orange to Purple). Lateritia (Poppy Red to July-August. Difficult to root varieties of Bougainvillea are
Orange), Begam Sikander (Magenta and White), Cherry also propagated by air-layering. Budding is also followed
Blossom Purple (White and Mallow). in some varieties for their propagation.
Miniature and Compact type: Pixie
Variegated white and green leaf: Glabra variegate, Marieta, Cultural requirements
Dr. Rao, Scarlet Queen variegate, Los Banos Variegata. Bougainvillea grows well in rich, well drained, and
Variegated yellow and green leaf : Thimma, L.N. Birla, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.0) soil. It does not thrive in soil
Spectabilis variegate, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Archana, that is constantly wet. Proper soil pH is essential for the
Louise Wathen Variegated. availability of mineral elements. A soil pH above 6.0
increases the possibility of micronutrient deficiencies,
Climate requirements particularly iron, zinc, etc. Bougainvillea is a drought
Bougainvilleas grow best in full sun. High light tolerant, salt tolerant, and also wind resistant plant.
intensity and warm temperature are required for good For best results, organic based slow release fertilizers
flowering. Bougainvillea remains in vegetative growth are applied. At the time of planting, phosphate fertilizer
under low light and shady places. It is very drought should be applied. Too much fertilizer application

Lady Mary Baring Mahara Mary Palmer Special

26 Indian Horticulture
 Perfusion Pixie Variegata Potted bougainvillea

will promote vegetative growth and inhibit blooming. support is given. It is used in mass planting, as shrubs or
Bougainvillea needs regular fertilizing with formulations bushes, hedge and as ground cover on banks as well as for
having NPK ratios of 1:1:1 or 2:1:2. Applications of slope coverings. Bougainvillea provides hedges, barriers,
soluble minor elements help prevent leaf chlorosis. For and slope coverings. For large, difficult-to-maintain areas,
reclaiming alkaline and saline soils, mixing of gypsum bougainvillea is an excellent ground cover. It can cover an
(1.0 kg/m2) is desired. To avoid termite attack, addition of entire hillside and thus would supress weed growth. Dwarf
100 g neem cake powder in polypots is required. In plots, cultivars make colourful ground covers. Bougainvillea can
soil is drenched with Chlorpyriphos @ 2 ml/l during dry be trained as a ‘standard’, a small flowering tree with a
period and repeated after a fortnight. single trunk, over arbors, into espaliers, onto walls, or to
cascade down a slope. Bougainvillea is used as an accent
Pruning plant, a specimen plant, in hanging baskets, in containers,
Bougainvillea responds very well to pruning. If it is and for bonsai. This sparkling bougainvillea is used as one
left unpruned, the plant grows wild and becomes climber of landscape elements in the garden as focal points and as
initially and later become self-stemmed liana. To give avenue trees to create different types of vistas. This makes
proper canopy shape, stature and form to the plants, it ideal for year round cultivation. Variegated cultivars such
pruning is necessary. One has to prune the laterals and as Bhabha, L.N. Birla, Thimma and Rao having attractive
old shoots back within two or three buds of the main foliage of cream and green colour bracts serves as suitable
stems. This will encourage the formation of new flowers and hardy plant in garden and roadside plantation too.
and colourful bracts. In Northern India, pruning is done
during May-June. Role of Bougainvillea in Pollution control
Regular pruning is necessary to shape the plant and Bougainvillea has been identified as one of best
direct its growth because the shoots often grow vigorously. drought hardy plants for roadside and divider planting
This plant is also suited for making topiary and gateways. to reduce sound, air and heavy metal toxicity. It has
Flowers are borne on new vegetative growth, hence been recommended as pollution tolerant plant and can
pinching back and pruning are necessary to induce new help in the mitigation of air pollution (greenhouse gases),
growth. Pruning should be done after flowering is over soil and water pollution, and also noise pollution. On
(end of May-June), as this encourages the new growth on the basis of previous research, it has been proven that
which the next flush of flowers will occur. For making bougainvillea has dust mitigation properties and it can
bushy and thick bougainvillea in pot, soft pinching may also adsorb the pollutants from the environment where
be done. Pinching off the tips of the new vines that are it grows. The main pollutants released by the vehicles
growing from the main branch is done. The vine would include carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, sulphur dioxides,
give several new side shoots from the leaf bud close to hydrocarbons, lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), etc.
the pinch point. in addition to the suspended particulate matter (SPM),
which have deleterious effects on the human health.
Use in landscaping Therefore, it is highly recommended for plantation in
Bougainvillea’s growth habit, beautiful ornamental urban and industrial areas, where suspended particulate
bracts and its attractive foliage make it the most loved matter is a problem. For estimating Air Pollution
plant for landscaping. In peak summer, bougainvillea Tolerance Index, Bougainvillea glabra plants have been
becomes one of the best choices for landscapers due to its recommended in urban landscaping. Studies have shown
strong architect and multi-dimensional uses, because of its that bougainvillea can be effectively utilized to reduce
good hardiness and floriferous nature. Hardly few flower heavy metal pollution through absorption and adsorption
plants come to bloom in summer, when this versatile plant in soil and air, respectively. Hence, it can thrive well in
blooms in different range of colour of bracts. There is a lot varied conditions of environment and soil. It can grow in
of fascinating variations in leaves that add to the beauty most well-drained soils, and even in small pockets of soil
of the plants. This crop is maximum planted in stretch on in between rocks. Its roots grow deep into the ground,
both roadside plantations, on dividers, as well as trained on become self-supporting, and require very little care and
wall/ fence of road side with different bloom of bracts to attention. Bougainvillea is thus a pollution tolerant plant
avoid the monotonous effect of dry wall. It can be trained and can help in the mitigation of air and soil pollution
into different shapes and growth habits, as long as proper besides its immense ornamental value.

July–August 2022 27
Uses of Bougainvillea
plants
Potted bougainvillea:
There is a big demand
of different coloured
bougainvilleas grown in
different sizes of earthen
and cement pots during the
months of April to June. This
is the only flower which is in
bloom to tolerate scorching
sun and hot wind. For potted
Rosea Fuschia Shubhra
bougainvillea, planting can
be done in the months of
July to August. Potted plants require more irrigation and Table 1. Different bougainvillea varieties and their
it should be stopped 10 days prior to blooming. However, purposes
irrigation should be regulated during flowering period,
otherwise flowering bracts will drop early. Purpose Suitable varieties
Multi-grafted bougainvillea: In recent time, there Shrub Flame Sonnet, Spring Festival
is also a growing demand of multi-grafted potted Hedge Dr R.R. Pal, Campbell, Mary Palmer
bougainvillea in which different coloured bracts bloom
Potted bougainvillea H.B. Singh, Dr R.R. Pal, Lady Mary Baring,
on one plant. Different sparkling coloured bougainvillea Shubhra, Chitra, Thimma, Mahara, Mary
cultivars are grafted onto a single rootstock plant. For this, Palmer, Sonnet
2-4 different coloured scion sticks (5-7 cm length and 5 cm Bonsai Thimma, Golden Glow, Tomato Red
diameter) collected from different plants are side-grafted
Topiary Parthasarthy, New Red, Lady Richard
onto two-year-old rootstock followed by covering with
polybags and maintained in shade. After bud sprouts, Cascade Begam Ali, Dog Star, Green Smith
the cover is removed and all the sprouts taking place Climber Chitra, Dr R.R. Pal, Lady Mary Baring
below the graft points are removed meticulously. Such Arch/ Pergola Mahara, Partha, Mary Palmer, Magnifica
pots are sold at a higher price and accordingly are in
Umbrella Shaping Dr R.R. Pal, Trinidad
great demand.
Bonsai: For this, cuttings of 15-20 cm length are used Hanging Basket Scarlet Queen variegated, Dr H.B. Singh
and grown in shallow pots. The plants are then pruned
continuously after 3 months, and rolled with metallic feature in smaller landscape. Some very dwarf genotypes
wires to give different shapes following the established are Helen Johnson, Sunvillea™ Rose, Sunvillea™ Cream,
bonsai making techniques. Being an ornamental plant, Pink Pixie, etc. Similarly, semi-dwarf bougainvilleas are
bonsai made in bougainvillea are very costly and have ideal for locations with moderate amount of space. They
high entrepreneurial value. typically are well suited for growing in the soil as they may
In the present day lifestyle, bougainvillea has multi- be too large for containers. If one is looking for a medium-
faceted uses in landscaping. The different varieties of sized bougainvillea variety, Imperial Delight, Miss Alice,
bougainvillea suitable for different purposes are given etc. can be good options. For selecting variable colour of
in Table 1. bracts, type of bracted, etc. bougainvillea varieties, one
should buy from reliable sources.
Availability of plants It can be concluded that bougainvillea is an important
Garden lovers, amateurs, landscapers, nurserymen landscape plant, which plays a diverse role in the gardens.
and individuals can collect wide range of sparkling The availability of different forms in flower (bracts) and
genuine and named bougainvillea plants from different plant habit makes bougainvillea popular among the garden
sources like ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, lovers. The diversity in bougainvillea cultivars has been
New Delhi; ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural evolved through natural mutations (bud sports), whereas,
Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka; CSIR-National Botanical induced mutation and hybridization have also given
Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; CPWD significant contributions in the development of novelties.
Government Sunder Nursery, Nizamudddin, New Delhi; Garden lovers, amateurs, landscapers, nurserymen, etc.
Government Mehrauli Nursery, Delhi; Government Plant can collect wide range of sparkling coloured varieties and
Nursery, Chandigarh; Government Nursery, Jaipur; etc. make their effective use in landscaping.
The current trend is that garden lovers require diverse
genotypes of desired vigour. Dwarf bougainvillea are
ideal for small spaces or for containers (bonsai), multi- For further interaction, please write to:
storied flats and typically reach a height and spread to Meenu Kumari (Assistant Professor), Department of Vegetable
3 to 5 feet. They are easy to maintain and marketed as Science and Floriculture, Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur,
Bihar 813 210. *Corresponding author email: meenubhu08111@
mini bougainvilleas and can be pruned to a shrub rather
gmail.com
than rambling vine. Dwarf bougainvilleas are important

28 Indian Horticulture