PLATE 8. 
BOUGAINVILLAEA GLABRA SANDERIANA. 
Bougainvilhza glabva, Choisy in D. C. Prod. xiii. II. 437 ; Rev. Hort. 1889, 276. 
The genus Bougainvillaea belongs to the natural order Nyctaginese, 
and commemorates a French navigator called De Bougainville. The 
species best known to gardeners are B. speciosa , B. spectabilis , and 
B. glabra. They are all natives of S. America, chiefly Brazil, and have 
been in cultivation for many years. The)^ are chiefly remarkable, not so 
much for the beauty of their blossoms, which are comparatively incon¬ 
spicuous, but for the large, leafy, and brightly-coloured bracts. These 
are well shown in our plate, which represents a variety of B. glabra known 
as Sanderiana. As the name indicates, this variety originated with the 
famous St. Albans firm, and is chiefly remarkable for the brilliant rosy- 
purple colour of the bracts which surround the cylindrical yellow-petalled 
blossoms in the centre. 
At one time the Bougainvillaeas were treated as plants requiring great 
heat. Experience, however, has proved that they can be grown in the 
comparatively low temperature of a warm greenhouse. They are generally 
trained as climbers over the glass roof or walls, and in a suitable compost 
of gritty loam and leaf soil, produce their coloured bracts and flowers in 
great profusion. B. glabra and its variety Sanderiana, however, are capital 
plants for growing in small pots. Messrs. Sander & Sons proved this 
when they exhibited a large number of bushy specimens grown in 6im pots, 
at the Temple Show, in London last year. The bright green foliage was 
literally hidden by the coloured bracts. Another very fine variety with 
large bracts is one known as “ Maud Chettleburgh,” put into commerce bv 
Messrs. W. Bull & Sons, of Chelsea. 
Culture. —The culture of this plant is by no means difficult. When 
growth commences in spring the plants may be re-potted, if necessary, in a 
compost of sandy loam and leaf soil. This should not be of too rich a nature, 
otherwise strong, sappy, flowerless growths may result. Besides liberal supplies 
of water, according to the vigour of growth and atmospheric conditions, the 
plants should be well syringed two or three times a day until the bracts begin 
to colour. This will keep the foliage fresh and green, and keep such pests as 
scale, red spider, and mealy bug at bay. In the event of these appearing the 
plants should be syringed with “ Abol,” or “ XL. All” insecticides. 
On the approach of winter the plants show signs of going to rest, by 
dropping their leaves. They then require but very little water, only just 
enough, indeed, to keep the stems from shrivelling. 
The simplest way to increase Bougainvillaeas is by means of cuttings. 
These are made about March or April, from the young growths, four to six 
inches in length, each with a “ heel ” of the old wood attached. The cuttings 
may be inserted either singty in small pots, or several round the edge of a 5in. 
pot, in a compost of well-drained sandy loam and leaf soil. They should then 
be placed in a frame with a temperature of 65° to 70° at night. During the 
daytime the temperature may rise about 10° more owing to the sun. The 
cuttings, however, must be kept shaded, and frequently sprinkled, until they 
become well-rooted. This will be in the course of four or five weeks, when 
the plants may then be potted up and grown on. 
