Tuesday, August 18, 2015

In a Vase: Bits of Bougainvillea

I haven't had too many blossoming flowers during our scorching 100+ degree F days in Central Texas to be able to clip for pretty summertime bouquets.  However, one heat-loving plant did start to put on a hot and showy summertime display - my bougainvillea.


The bougainvillea is native to South America and thrives in the heat and sun.  In Central Texas, it dies back to the ground in the winter, but always returns late summer with a beautiful display of flowers on new growth.


To help promote flowering, once the plant starts putting out blossoms, I snip back the limbs to stimulate the growth of more flowers.  I didn't want to throw the pretty papery flower clippings into the compost pile, so into a vase they went - and are really quite long-lasting and great looking cut flowers.  I just wish I had more going on in the garden right now so I could add some complimentary blossoms to the vase.  I suppose the simplicity of a single type of bloom in a vase has its own unique elegance.


Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting the In a Vase meme every Monday.

6 comments:

  1. Bougainvillea is such a fantastic plant in this weather, isn't it? I've sometimes had difficulty with mine wilting too quickly when cut unless I condition the stems in just-boiled water. Yours look great - if you have any secrets, please let me know ;-)

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  2. This is such a gorgeous colour Rebecca and it deserves to be shown off like this! How long will it last in the vase? I am now in the habit of popping flowering trimmings or accidents into a pot so have quite a collection on my kitchen windowsill! Thanks for sharing some of your Texas summer :)

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  3. I grew up with bougainvilleas when I was young. There are so many beautiful colours now. I love this bright pink, and with the leaves and speck of white, they make a lovely vase for your home.

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  4. They are so exuberantly pink, those flower surrounds. They never fail to make me smile.

    Honestly, I like it when an arrangement is all one type of flower. I think it gives a chance to properly appreciate the form and colors when something is spotlighted this way.

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  5. I don't envy your temperatures (though this year ours have been not far behind) but would dearly love to be able to grow such splendid Bouganvilleas.

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  6. Somehow I missed this stunning vase....glad I found it!

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