I don't remember very much of my time in Antigua (ages 3-6) except for my dad fishing for lobsters in our backyard, donkey rides, having an incredible allergic reaction from biting into a lime, and the bougainvillea plant. Ah yes.. the gorgeous bougainvillea
The bougainvillea plant is named after a French navigator, Louis de Bougainville, who took a specimen back to France in 1768. Merci Louis.. what a beautiful name for a beautiful plant. I have grown up with the bougainvillea my whole life.. Antigua, Philippines, South Florida, and South of France. Now living in Newnan, I don't see much of this plant except for in the nursery's around Spring time.
my potted bougainvillea
Although it is frost-sensitive and hardy in U.S. Hardiness Zones 9b and 10.. Newnan is an 8, so I thought I would try it this year as potted plant around my pool. A major plus is that it is drought tolerant.. remember my post here??
bougainvillea in Antigua
beautiful fuchsia leaves
One day I will be back to a zone 9 or 10 and will have this lush fuchsia plant blooming all around me! In the meantime, I found this wonderful artist on Etsy that can preserve the bougainvillea leaf in resin. What a wonderful way keep the plant with you always!
Happy Mosaic Monday
For Mosaic Monday I have linked up with Little Red House. Images were found on Pinterest, Google, JCrew, and the House of Turquoise blog. Have a wonderful Spring Break!!
Enjoy!!
I love the bougainvillea too, We had a plant growing in our house for a long time. The leaves are such a pretty color. I loved your post and the photos. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThey are so showy with their bright blooms. We have them here in Florida and they are beautiful! Happy Mosaic Monday! ♥
ReplyDeleteIf I lived in a warmer climate I would be sure to grow this beautiful plant. Lovely mosaic with that rich raspberry colour. V
ReplyDeleteI love bougainvillea, too! the fuchsia color is real eye candy! Wonderful, fun mosaic and post!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had a large bougainvillea plant growing in her living room. I remember the flowers looked like paper.
ReplyDeleteThis plant always signals a romance novel to me because it's the only time I ever hear about it. It does not grow here. It is certainly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI too love the Bougainvillea! It can only be grown as an annual in my zone 5-6 home. Your mosaic is gorgeous! Love that pop of color. The petals on the stairs is wonderful also. Now a new follower.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jann
What a gorgeous plant! I wonder if we get enough heat to grow it on the Island?
ReplyDeleteLove that plant. I have been in the Caribbean countries a lot and it is every where there. Have had good luck in Ky. in the summer in pots. Love your blog. This is my first visit. I will be back. Blessings
ReplyDeleteQMM
Gorgeous colours!
ReplyDeleteOur home is surrounded by these and as beautiful as they are, the dropped buds can drive me crazy! lol There are so many other variations. One of my favorites is a blush pink. Did you know you can clip these and easily dry them? The trick is it has to be a hot/sunny and dry day. They can't have any moisture on them or in the air. They dry out indoors in 4-5 days and look exactly like they were on the bush! We do this in the summer and bring them inside the shop. There's a picture of one on our blog at the very bottom of the page. Hope you warm up enough to grown them sometime!
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