You’ve probably seen them on Instagram, with their bright pink leaves contrasting with the white and blue homes in the Cyclades — a symbol of summer in Greece. Now that I have a home in Greece, should I buy a bougainvillea? Is it easy to take care of a bougainvillea? Where do bougainvilleas grow best, and how do I take care of one?
What is a Bougainvillea?
Bougainvilleas are known best for their colorful leaves. They come in brilliant white, yellow, gold, purple, and pink, most commonly – althrough there are other colors. In reality the bright colors are not flowers, but are the plant’s leaves. The leaves have a texture like paper and this is why the bougainvillea is also called the “paperflower”.
The flower of the bougainvillea is in fact white. It’s just hard to see the flower because of the explosion of color which surrounds it.
The plant is tolerant to salt and loves the Mediterranean sun, which makes it ideal for the Mediterranean climate.
Why Buy a Bougainvillea?
As soon as you own your new property, you may want to plant a bougainvillea. A mature bougainvillea can add up to 50k in value to the property when you consider selling in the future.
Why is it Called a Bougainvillea?
No, it’s not a Greek name (although some Greeks will claim that words in every language have a root in Ancient Greek.)
The name of the bougainvillea plant comes from French marine admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. In the mid-1700s, he offered his ship to a French botanist who traveled abroad (likely with many of his seeds.) The plan was to sail around the whole globe in a trip called the “Bougainville Expedition”.
After stopping in Brazil, the French botanist found a plant with shockingly bright leaves, and decided to name it after his friend, Bougainville.
Where Can I Plant Bougainvilleas?
Bougainvilleas have shallow roots, similar to an olive tree (which is one reason why they both grow well in Greece’s rocky island terrain). As a homeowner, know that the roots are more likely to travel outwards as opposed to down. This may affect where you choose to plant your bougainvillea, so that it doesn’t affect the foundation of your home.
Make sure to choose an area with full exposure to the sun at least eight hours per day. Do not keep the roots wet for a long period of time. The plant’s sign of protesting is dropping its leaves and blossoms.
Where Can I Find Bougainvilleas in Greece?
You will find variations of the bougainvillea plant in Greece in the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands. Naxos, Santorini, Paros, and Amorgos are known for their bright bougainvillea colors against the pristine white houses and the blue of the sea.
It is also possible to find the plant as far as Rhodes and Symi, in the towns of the Peloponnese, or in the streets of Plaka, Athens, under the Acropolis. The colors of bougainvilleas are usually seen in Greece from May all the way until the winter.
