Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea spp.
Brilliant, tough flowering vine — beautiful color, sharp thorns, frost-sensitive.
Needs AE Review
Clint Budd / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 — license
Why AE uses caution: Hidden long thorns, heavy bract litter (especially near pools), and frost dieback that can look rough every winter.
See the full AE Use With Care librarySchedule: Twice-weekly in summer, weekly in shoulder seasons.
Emitters: 1–2 emitters per plant, monitored during heat waves.
Flowering perennials, citrus, and lush accents need more attention than true desert plants.
Arizona yards have very different microclimates. West-facing walls, glass, artificial turf, pavers, travertine, porcelain, and pool decking all increase reflected heat. AE considers these before confirming placement.
- Verify attachment surface
AE verifies pool deck, paver, foundation, wall, and utility clearances before final planting.
Quick Facts
- Plant type
- Vine
- Mature size
- Varies — AE will confirm during design.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water use
- Low
- Bloom season
- Spring–fall
- Flower color
- Magenta, red, orange, white
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Thorns / spines
- Sharp
- Litter level
- Low
- Pool area
- Good with placement
- Pet/kid placement
- Use with care
- Maintenance
- Low
- Privacy value
- Low
- Shade value
- Low
- Native
- Desert-adapted
About Bougainvillea
Starter entry. Final mature size, water use, frost sensitivity, and pool placement will be confirmed by AE during design.
Best uses: Wall color, large planters
AE Designer Opinion
Design Uses
- Will be confirmed by AE based on site conditions
Care & Maintenance
- Final care plan confirmed by AE during design
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