As a horticulture and landscaping expert , I have encountered bougainvillea numerous times and can provide you with a elaborated answer to your doubt . Bougainvillea , also known as newspaper blossom , is a versatile plant that possess characteristics of both a climber and a bush . However , it is usually seen as a climber due to its tendency to wax over structures in our environment .

Bougainvillea has a singular growth habit that allows it to creep , wax , and colonize large area very quickly . It has long , flexible branches with thorns that aid in its mounting power . When leave untrained , bougainvillea will of course develop as a straggle bush with branch spreading in all directions . However , with right support and guidance , it can be trained to climb on trellises , fences , walls , or pergolas .

One of the ground bougainvillea is often considered a mounter is its hard and vigorous growing . It can quickly progress to heights of up to 30 feet or more if provided with worthy support . Its branch have a tendency to twine around structures , tolerate the plant life to climb and spread over large erect spaces .

Personal Experience : I have witness the climbing nature of bougainvillea in my own garden . When I ab initio planted a young bougainvillea , it grew as a bush with its branches go around in all directions . However , as it senesce , I trained it to climb on a treillage against a bulwark . Over time , the plant conform to its support structure and set out climbing upwards , cover the entire bulwark with its vibrant flowers .

Another feature of bougainvillea that support its classification as a climber is its ability to cling onto surfaces . The plant has aery rootlets that can attach itself to walls or other bodily structure , aiding in its climbing process . These rootlets avail bougainvillea to ground itself securely and climb even more expeditiously .

Despite its climbing propensity , bougainvillea can also be originate as a scrub . With even pruning and shaping , it can be sustain as a compact and shaggy-haired plant . This is particularly useful for those who prefer a more contained and hold growth riding habit . By trim back the long , trail branches and encouraging lateral increment , bougainvillea can be work into a dense and bushy cast .

To summarize , while bougainvillea possess characteristic of both a climbing iron and a shrub , it is commonly seen and classified as a crampoon due to its natural leaning to rise and cover anatomical structure . Its power to creep , climb up , and colonise large area quickly , along with its thorny branches and aeriform rootlets , support its mounting nature . However , with right pruning and grooming , bougainvillea can also be maintained as a compact and bushy plant .

Caroline Bates