5 Ideas for Pairing Bougainvillea

In a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere

In the Mediterranean dream of the gardener, the bougainvillea reigns supreme! A liana reserved for gardens along the Mediterranean coast due to its sensitivity – at least in open ground – it has its rightful place in a southern garden. Bougainvillea glabra ‘Sanderiana’ will display its full splendour against a wall exposed to full sun, where it will be adorned with a thousand fuchsia pink flowers from May to September. At its base, beautiful clusters of Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’ will flourish from July to September on dense, lush foliage, and as groundcover, Delosperma cooperi will give a little nod to the bougainvillea with its similar hue. Let’s add lovely lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ for an unparalleled summer fragrance, planted at the foot of a beautiful Orange tree, and we find ourselves in a true southern atmosphere!

Clockwise: Bougainvillea glabra ‘Sanderiana’, Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’, Citrus sinensis, lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ and Delosperma cooperi

In a garden evoking exoticism

Many plants can create an exotic atmosphere while withstanding winter temperatures slightly below 0°C. The Bougainvillea ‘Violet de Mèze’ is hardy down to -5°C. You can showcase it alongside beautiful agaves and New Zealand Flax: for example, the very bright Phormium ‘Golden Ray’, variegated with light green and yellow, which withstands temperatures of -10°C. Plant in the background or as a standalone the Trachycarpus wagnerianus, a perfectly hardy species that is compact enough to fit even in the smallest spaces, as it will reach an adult height of about 6m. The low-growing Cycas revoluta, with a hybrid appearance between a palm and a tree fern, will happily complete the exotic look of the ensemble, along with the Aloe striatula, which has bright yellow flowers in May-June.

Clockwise: Trachycarpus wagnerianus, Phormium ‘Golden Ray’, Bougainvillea ‘Violet de Mèze’ and Agave Americana, Cycas revoluta and Aloe striatula

To flower a wall or a pergola

Whether you want to create a green cocoon in a walled garden or patio, hide an unsightly wall, or add colour to your façades, you can pair bougainvillea with other climbing plants that also love the sun. Adorn the walls in regions that do not suffer from frost with the magnificent Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘Purple Violet’. Intertwined or juxtaposed with Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides, which flowers from June to August, it will be a pure delight, wonderfully fragrant! For a spring flowering, you can combine them with Banks’ Rose ‘Rosea’, blooming from May. The branches of these plants can intertwine against the wall or on the trellis where they will be planted: the small fragrant flowers of Star Jasmine will illuminate the darker silhouette of the Bougainvillea, and its evergreen foliage on voluble branches will add charm to the space all year round.

Banks’ Rose ‘Rosea’ in bloom in spring, Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘Purple Violet’ and Trachelospermum jasminoides both flowering in summer

In an acid border

The return of vibrant colours is the perfect opportunity to create a border full of this sweet energy. Less common than the pink-purple varieties, the Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘Orange’ boasts a generous bright orange flowering in summer. This generosity doesn’t stop there, as it has a more significant growth than other species, climbing up to 8m high with a spread of about 6m. You can pair it with the Cassia floribunda, which has an incomparable and long canary yellow flowering from June to September. This bush is a bit tender, but it pairs very well with the bougainvillea, which requires the same growing conditions. A touch of salmon colour will be provided by the Salmon Pink Calla or Arum Zantedeschia Auckland. Complete the picture with the Oleander ‘Provence’, which is in salmon flowers from June to October.

Cassia floribunda, Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘Orange’, Zantedeschia Auckland and Oleander ‘Provence’

In a composition with soft tones

When talking about Bougainvillea, one thinks of its vibrant colours, which are certainly beautiful but not necessarily suited to all tastes or situations. The Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘White’ is a species of a lovely bright white, allowing for soft-toned combinations with flowering bushes such as Hibiscus syriacus ‘Pink Chiffon’ and theAbelia ‘Edward Goucher’. Plant at the base of masses of easy, floriferous perennials like Gaura lindheimeri ‘Freefolk Rosy’ and the Bowles Mauve Wallflower Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’.

Bougainvillea spectabilis ‘White’, Hibiscus syriacus ‘Pink Chiffon’, Abelia ‘Edward Goucher’, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ and Gaura lindheimeri ‘Freefolk Rosy’

For further reading

• Discover our stunning varieties of bougainvillea
• Get inspired to dress your walls and pergolas with an original climbing plant!
• Our collection of Mediterranean climbers features the best species and varieties, discover them!
• Find our tips on how to prune and train a bougainvillea
• Need help with your choice? Follow the guide to find out which bougainvillea to plant according to your region