By Jim McCausland, Sunset senior garden writer

Though most bougainvilleas have a rampant, lanai-covering habit that makes them most useful outside in frost-free parts of the country, there are a few shrubby, draping, drop-dead-beautiful varieties that you can grow in any climate in containers. Just put them outside in the sun during the warm season, and overwinter them in a sun room or frost-free garage when the weather cools off.

Byron Martin, co-owner of Logee’s Tropical Plants, has three favorites among these more well-mannered varieties.

‘Vera Pink’ and ‘Vera Purple’ are Vera Blackman hybrids that were improved in Europe and sent back to North America, where ‘Vera Purple’ is new this year.

‘Firecracker Red’, also new this year, is a consistent, summer-long bloomer whose orange flowers don’t fade as the season advances (most orange bougainvilleas do).

You can order all online from Logee’s Tropical Plants.