Bougainvillea Bud Within A Day Of Flowering Indoors. Photo Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Our bougainvillea has flowered, a harbinger of the coming spring and of the outdoor flowers it brings.

When Bougainvillea Blooms Indoors, Spring Is Sending A Postcard

In Boulder, we learn patience. Winter can linger, tease, retreat, and then come right back through the door with muddy boots. That is one reason an indoor bougainvillea feels so cheerful. When it begins to bloom inside, it feels like spring has sent a postcard ahead of schedule.

Bougainvillea is one of those plants that looks almost too bright to be real. The startling pinks, reds, purples, and oranges are not actually the true flowers. The real flowers are small and pale. What catches our eye are the colorful papery bracts surrounding them. University of Florida horticulture notes that these showy bracts are what make bougainvillea such a standout, especially in the cooler season when color is scarce. It also prefers plenty of sun and somewhat drier soil rather than constantly wet roots.

The Bougainvillea Only Stays Flowering For Two Days. Photo: Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

That makes bougainvillea an oddly good emotional fit for Boulder indoor gardening. We are sun people here, even in winter. A blooming bougainvillea in a bright window is a small act of defiance against gray days and bare branches.

To me, its indoor bloom is a harbinger. It says the world is waking up. The crocuses are thinking about it. The tulips are loading the trucks. Spring may not be here yet, but it has definitely filed a flight plan.

Shared Knowledge Is Power! 

Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Photo Coaching https://lensworth.photo 720-320=6201

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com