Isn’t this the most amazing bougainvillea you’ve ever seen? It’s more of a tree than a shrub – just look at that trunk!
It’s located on the grounds of a local school – which is currently remodeling. Honestly, I was worried about its fate. I couldn’t imagine anyone involved in the construction process caring about whether or not they chopped it down, and if you’d ever seen the way they go about pruning trees around here you’d understand. There’s really no telling how old it is. Probably not as old as I would guess, given the long growing season here. 
An acquaintance of mine whose husband is an architect involved in the project told me that there are plans to attempt to move the tree to a new location. I suppose time will tell whether it survives being uprooted and moved – and whether it likes it’s new location as well as it obviously likes this one! – but I am pleased to here that they are going to make the effort.
Just take a look at all those flowers. How can you look at that and not be amazed?
