HOW TO GROW BEAUTIFUL BOUGAINVILLEA

Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.

Looking for a vibrant down - maintenance background binding ? call for a shiny and fast climber for a treillage or structure ? require to zest up a deadening hanging hoop or container ? Bougainvillea is the answer !

These tropic vine - like shrubs are quite drouth liberal , love the Lord’s Day , and load down a Brobdingnagian punch of people of colour . They acquire effortlessly in mild winter areas of California , Florida , Texas , Hawaii , and along the Gulf Coast , and can be grown in containers elsewhere . Bougainvillea industrial plant are vigorous cultivator that can become overgrown if not continue in check ; but they pop the question a dazzling color show most year - beat in quick climates .

Photo by : Gill Copeland / Shutterstock .

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Zones:

repeated in 9 - 11 ; can be grown as an annual in colder zones , or brought indoors over wintertime .

Height/Spread:

Most varieties of bougainvillea produce 20 to 30 feet marvellous and wide with accompaniment . If grow as groundcover , they will be 1 - 1/2 to 2 foot tall and unfold 8 to 10 foot wide . There are dwarf varieties which will mostly grow to be 3 - 6 feet marvellous and wide .

Exposure:

Bougainvillea thrives in full sun . Some afternoon shade in extremely red-hot weather may be beneficial .

Bloom time:

In zones 9 - 11 , bougainvillea will blossom on and off all twelvemonth . In colder zona , it will go dormant when brought in for wintertime and will bloom mainly in summer .

Color:

The honest flowers on bougainvillea are quite small , normally white , and are surrounded by coloured bracts . The bracts are the real showstoppers and come in spook of carmine , purple , Battle of Magenta , hot pink , light pink , orange , apricot and white . The bracts , often called “ imitation blossom , ” are what draw in pollinator to the true flowers hidden within their bright coloured background .

When to plant:

It is best to plant your bougainvillea in spring or other summer to allow its roots to become found before cooler atmospheric condition sets in .

Where to plant:

Bougainvillea should be planted on higher background or hillsides , not in water system - lumber or depleted area where water might collect . They will develop well when return enough blank to pass around out , and should be planted in an area that will allow them a minimum of 5 - 6 hour of sunlight every day . Without enough sun , bract formation and blossoming will be belittle . Some afternoon shade can be helpful in very live atmospheric condition .

Soil:

Well - enfeeble acidulous soil is best for bougainvillea . If soil is too alkaline , greensickness ( pale leaves ) can go on .

How to plant:

Bougainvillea shrubs have delicate , fibrous theme system , so be careful not to damage the origin when planting . Do not cod or loosen the roots as you would with other plants . turn over the planting hole astray enough so that the roots are n’t crowded and can set up easily .

Pruning:

Pruning your bougainvillea back after blooming will keep it in shape and stimulate more flowering . Bougainvillea vine show their people of colour on young growth , and frequent pinching will not only boost total development , but also more gloss . Remove bushed branches in outflow to keep your bougainvillea healthy . glove and heavy sleeves are requisite when pruning bougainvillea , as most varieties have legion thorn . Some gardeners also feel cutis irritation from the foliage .

Amendments & Fertilizer:

Bougainvillea are heavy feeders and opt humble amount of nutrient available perpetually , make a slow - release fertiliser a good pick . They should be fed on a regular basis during their inflorescence season .

Watering:

Water your bougainvillea with a expert soaking and then let it dry out . If they are result with wet feet , it may make their bracts and foliage to drop . Frequent , short watering can lead in a shallow and weak ascendant arrangement . The amount and frequency of watering should be adjusted for your climate . R&G Bougainvilleagives this handy guideline for lachrymation : “ Few leaves , but some watery bract — not enough water . Lots of green leaves , but little colouring — too much water . A compounding of healthy leaves and bracts — just right . ”

Diseases and Pests:

Although generally quite disease resistant , bougainvillea plant life may be tumultuous byaphids , leafminers , weighing machine , escargot & slugs , spider mitesandwhitefly . The best elbow room to keep your bougainvillea healthy is to keep the leafage and area around the plant dry and provide good air menstruation . quickly bump off any discredited , dead or septic branches and foliage .

Training:

Bougainvillea wo n’t naturally attach itself and may necessitate help wax . Use soft strap to tie and coach bougainvillea to its endorse social system . The spine on some types are hook - shape and will assist in securing the plant to strand link or other fencing or structures .

BOUGAINVILLEA IN THE GARDEN

8 BOUGAINVILLEA PLANTS TO GROW

photograph by : Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .

Bougainvillea‘Moneth ’ or Purple Queen

Zones:10 - 11Height / cattle ranch : Up to 15 feet tall if supported ; 1 - 1/2 feet tall and 8 understructure wide as groundcoverExposure : Full sunBloom sentence : Summer to nearly year - round in frost - free zonesBloom Color : Purple bracts with deep unripe foliation