- **Type**: Evergreen shrub (in warm climates); semi-evergreen in cooler zones

- **Height**: 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) as a bush; up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) if supported

- **Width**: 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm)

- **Growth Habit**: Compact, upright, bushy; less vining than typical bougainvilleas

- **Foliage**:

- Dark green, oval leaves, 1 to 2 inches long (2.5 to 5 cm)

- Glossy texture, evergreen in frost-free areas; may drop in cold winters

- **Flowers**:

- Clusters of vivid red papery bracts (assuming a red variant) surrounding tiny white true flowers

- Bracts about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across

- Bloom season: Spring to fall (April to October), nearly year-round in mild climates

- Mildly fragrant, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

- **Fruit**:

- Small, dry capsules, about 0.5 inches (1 cm), not ornamentally significant

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering; tolerates light shade

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5)

- Tolerates average soils but benefits from organic matter

- **Watering**: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, blooms best with periodic drying

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 9 to 11 (20°F or -6°C; may regrow from roots in Zone 9 with protection)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts pollinators (butterflies, hummingbirds); not deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain bushy shape

- Fertilize lightly with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Water sparingly once established to boost blooming

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Generally pest-free; may see aphids, scale, or caterpillars

- Susceptible to root rot in soggy conditions

- **Uses**: Containers, borders, mass plantings, low hedges, or small accent shrub

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate; grows 12 to 18 inches per year under good conditions

- **Special Features**:

- Part of the Vera series, bred for compact habit and prolific flowering

- Patent USPP15403P2; a mutation of 'Vera Deep Purple' with thornless stems

- Hypothetical red bracts would make it a bold standout