Bougainvillea plants are vigorous growers that can become overgrown if not kept in check; but they offer a dazzling color show nearly year-round in warmer climates. Most varieties of bougainvillea grow 20 to 30 feet tall and wide with support. There are dwarf varieties which will generally grow to be feet tall and wide. Bougainvillea thrives in full sun. Some afternoon shade in extremely hot weather may be beneficial. In zones , bougainvillea will bloom on and off all year.
In colder zones, it will go dormant when brought in for winter and will bloom mainly in summer. The true flowers on bougainvillea are quite small, usually white, and are surrounded by colorful bracts. The bracts are the real showstoppers and come in shades of red, purple, magenta, hot pink, light pink, orange, apricot and white. It is best to plant your bougainvillea in spring or early summer to allow its roots to become established before cooler weather sets in. Bougainvillea should be planted on higher ground or hillsides, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect.
They will grow best when given enough space to spread out, and should be planted in an area that will allow them a minimum of hours of sunlight every day. Without enough sun, bract formation and flowering will be diminished. Some afternoon shade can be helpful in very hot weather. Well-drained acidic soil is best for bougainvillea. Cacti love it but the bougainvillea appreciates the extra boost. Plus, the compost helps to hold in some of the soil moisture once the temps creep above 90F.
Bougainvillea, once established and if growing in the sun and heat it loves, is a fast grower. Stay tuned for more on bougainvillea plant care. I bought a bougainvillea shrub on clearance. It has no leaves but the bark and limbs are green. There are a couple of green shoots. How do I get it to resurrect? Or is it too far gone. I want to save it if I can. Thanks Bev Burton.
You can topdress it with a bit of compost. They can be white as well as lilac and purple. The third cultivated bougainvillea species is Bougainvillea peruviana, noted for its green bark and yellow true flowers.
The leaves of this species are thin, and the bracts are magenta, fairly small and delicate. The shrub's branching habit is looser and more open. With its almost year-round color from its beautiful bracts, bougainvillea is favored by gardeners as one of the best creeping plants or climbing plants in a landscape.
It's extremely popular in warm, dry climates where it can be used in a wide variety of ways. The versatility of this plant may surprise you. Perhaps the most popular use for bougainvillea is as a climbing plant. Planted near a wall or a trellis, bougainvillea can rapidly cover the surface in a burst of bright bracts.
But those same qualities make it useful as a ground cover in difficult-to-maintain parts of a property. It can cover entire slopes, and it's tough enough to choke out weeds. Bougainvillea also trains well and accepts pruning happily. It can be shaped into hedges, upright bushes or as a "standard," a one-trunk, flowering tree. It also is beautiful growing over arbors, into espaliers, or in hanging baskets. It cascades nicely down the sides of containers too.
Since bougainvillea is a tropical or semi-tropical plant, it really will not thrive in cooler regions and may not even survive a winter. However, if your heart is set on bougainvillea, you can grow it in many areas as an annual, planting it in spring for one season only. Alternatively, you can grow bougainvillea as a specimen container plant and move it indoors when the temperatures dip.
Some gardeners install bougainvillea in greenhouses. Bougainvillea is named after the 18th century French admiral and explorer, Comte de Bougainville. Grow bougainvillea in a frost-free place such as a sunny room, in a conservatory or a greenhouse that is heated in winter, so temperatures never fall below freezing. Regular pruning and seasonally adjusting watering and feeding are key to success with bougainvilleas.
Tie them into their support regularly to keep their growth in check. Bougainvillea needs full sun and can be grown by a window, in a conservatory, or a heated greenhouse. Those in pots that can be moved will benefit from spending the summer outdoors in the garden where they should be given a sunny and sheltered spot.
Soak the roots in a container of water for an hour or so before removing the old pot and planting the bougainvillea in its new home. Use a good quality, peat-free multi-purpose potting compost. Part fill the container and place the plant so the top of the compost will be a couple of centimetres below the rim of the new pot. When filling around the roots with compost, only firm it very gently.
Water thoroughly so the compost settles and top up if necessary if any of the root ball is exposed. In this Golden Rules video, Charlie Clarke of Westdale Nurseries reveals his three top tips on caring for bougainvilleas:.
Seasonally adjusting the level of watering and feeding is important for success with bougainvilleas. In spring, increase the frequency of watering to twice or three times a week, depending on outside temperatures.
Take care not to over-water bougainvilleas as they dislike having waterlogged roots. In autumn, reduce the frequency of watering as growth slows.
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