Bougainvillea is my favorite tropical bloom.  After multiple attempts to incorporate the flower into my home landscape, we finally have the two flowering columns on either side of the garage beginning to meet on top. The ultimate goal: an arch of glorious fuchsia above the garage door.

Apart from my personal bougainvillea dreams, the flower plays a prominent role in my daily drives through the Gables and Grove.  The colors are varied and the blooms somewhat temperamental, they need less water than you think and are a favorite of nibbling pests.

Beyond what I see each day in tropical Miami, bougainvillea is a prominent feature in Mykonos, Greece.  During a trip last year for a dear friend’s wedding, my son and I were treated to the bloom in doses large and small.