Bougainvillea has become a very colorful and popular plant for spring and summer color. Bougainvilleas are perhaps the most popular and one of the most widely grown tropical vines. The Bougainvillea often has spiny, cascading stems which end with colorful bracts of red, orange, purple and other shades to shield small white, inconspicuous flowers. Bougainvillea will thrive in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained and fertile. Soils that work for other plants you grow will be fine for your bougainvillea. For the best results put your bougainvilleas in full sun. If you want good blooming give them at least 5 hours a day of full sunlight as a minimum. More hours of direct sun is better. Your plants will thrive in shade or partial shade, but only have nice growth with little or no blooms.