The Bougainvillea - Ti Plant - Powderpuff Great Tropicals
The Bougainvillea, Ti, and Powderpuff plants
are three very unique tropical beauties. These
three plant specimens are found in tropical
paradises throughout South America, Europe,
as well as the sub - tropical climates in the
United States.
A warm climate plant is considered
tropical where there is no frost and temperatures
are in the 70's and 80's during the day and high
humidity. The nights range in the 60's to near 70
degrees.
rain forests
and will do well indoors with higher humidity.
Most of these tropical specimens will grow and
mature in zones nine through twelve. Some of them
can survive in zones seven and eight if brought indoors
in the colder months. The
ginger plant is one plant that needs to be brought indoors in zones seven and eight.
The
Bougainvillea is a very popular
plant in zones ten and eleven and native
to South America, particularly Brazil.
This specie will also survive in zone nine.
This plant is considered an evergreen and
one of its features is being drought tolerant.
Many tropical locations have long periods without
rain. Many locations also have a rainy season
where the monsoons or tropical rainstorms will
be prevalent. The Bougainvillea can handle
both dry and wet conditions. It will mature
anywhere from fourteen to thirty five to forty
feet tall and also as wide. You can prune the
plant into a shrub form or let it grow naturally
as a vine. It is great on a trellis or decorative wall.
The dwarf form will do well in a container garden.
Many tropical plants thrive in
The flowers range in color of red, orange yellow,
purple tones, white and fuchsia.
In a garden, the Bougainvillea can create a splendid look
as a border or hedge row. It looks great
combined with some varieties of palms.
In a subtropical location you can plant a
Loropetalum in the same garden as a Bougainvillea to enhance color.
The Bougainvillea plant needs full sun and will do well in sandy and well drained soil. There are some varieties that
have thorns and I don't recommend planting
this plant near walkways or entrance ways.
The Ti Plant is native to Eastern Asia
and is a popular plant specimen for a container
garden as well as foundation planting. The Ti plant
is great for zones ten and eleven and will survive
in zones nine.
This plant specimen has many varieties
and the size will vary. It can mature anywhere from three
feet to fourteen feet high and three to eight feet wide.
The Ti likes part sun to partial shade and is medium
drought tolerant. This is considered an upright plant
and is noted for its long and full leaves.
The leaves are rich in color and can be a ruby red tone or
variegated yellow and green. This is also considered
an evergreen in tropical locations. A great accent
plant in any style garden and striking with the Silver
Buttonwood. Pruning the Ti will help produce new branches.
These branches can be planting in soil for multiple
plants. The Ti does well in most soil conditions.
The Powderpuff plant is one of my favorite
tropical specimens. One of the reasons I like
the Powderpuff is this plant attracts hummingbirds
and butterflies. It loves full sun and will also
grow in most soil conditions.
The Powderpuff thrives in zones
nine through eleven and is native to Brazil and other
South American countries. This plant will do well in warmer
climates in Europe as well as the United States.
The Powderpuff can grow eight to ten feet high
as well as eight to ten feet wide. It is an evergreen
and also a fast grower.
The flowers on a Powderpuff
present a unique appearance. This is another
great plant specimen to accent around solid
evergreens and Palm trees. The Powderpuff can
be planted as a hedge row, privacy screen, along
a bank or slope and also mass planting in
a particular garden area. The flowers also
have a nice aroma. Putting a bench near the
the Powderpuff will add hours of enjoyment
all year long.
The Bougainvillea, Ti, and Powderpuff are only
three examples of colorful accent plants in
a tropical garden.