HOW TO GROW BEAUTIFUL BOUGAINVILLEA

Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.

look for a vivacious low - upkeep ground masking ? postulate a bright and fast climber for a treillage or structure ? Want to spice up up a irksome hanging basket or container ? Bougainvillea is the answer !

These tropic vine - alike shrub are quite drouth large-minded , make out the sun , and pack a huge punch of color . They raise effortlessly in balmy wintertime areas of California , Florida , Texas , Hawaii , and along the Gulf Coast , and can be grown in container elsewhere . Bougainvillea plants are vigorous growers that can become overgrown if not kept in chit ; but they offer a bedazzle color show nigh year - bout in warmer climate .

Photo by : Gill Copeland / Shutterstock .

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Zones:

Perennial in 9 - 11 ; can be grown as an yearly in colder zones , or brought indoors over winter .

Height/Spread:

Most varieties of bougainvillea acquire 20 to 30 feet tall and wide with living . If grow as groundcover , they will be 1 - 1/2 to 2 feet improbable and spread 8 to 10 feet wide . There are dwarf varieties which will mostly grow to be 3 - 6 feet tall and wide .

Exposure:

Bougainvillea thrives in full sunshine . Some afternoon shade in extremely live weather may be beneficial .

Bloom time:

In zone 9 - 11 , bougainvillea will bloom on and off all year . In colder zone , it will go dormant when take in for winter and will bloom mainly in summer .

Color:

The true flowers on bougainvillea are quite little , unremarkably white , and are surrounded by colorful bracts . The bracts are the real showstopper and come in shade of red , purple , magenta , hot garden pink , light garden pink , orange , apricot and white . The bracts , often called “ false efflorescence , ” are what attract pollinator to the genuine flowers hidden within their brightly colored backdrop .

When to plant:

It is good to implant your bougainvillea in spring or other summertime to allow its rootage to become established before cooler weather sets in .

Where to plant:

Bougainvillea should be institute on higher earth or hillside , not in pee - logged or low areas where water might collect . They will raise best when given enough space to spread out , and should be embed in an area that will allow for them a minimum of 5 - 6 hours of sunshine every sidereal day . Without enough Dominicus , bract formation and florescence will be diminished . Some good afternoon nicety can be helpful in very live weather .

Soil:

Well - drained acid soil is best for bougainvillea . If soil is too alkalic , chlorosis ( pallid leave of absence ) can occur .

How to plant:

Bougainvillea shrubs have frail , fibrous etymon systems , so be careful not to damage the source when planting . Do not beleaguer or loosen the roots as you would with other plants . labour the planting hole astray enough so that the root are n’t crowded and can establish easily .

Pruning:

Pruning your bougainvillea back after blooming will keep it in shape and stimulate more flowering . Bougainvillea vines show their colour on unexampled growth , and frequent pinching will not only promote fuller growth , but also more color . off dead branches in outpouring to keep your bougainvillea healthy . Gloves and clayey sleeve are necessities when pruning bougainvillea , as most varieties have numerous irritant . Some gardeners also experience skin irritation from the foliation .

Amendments & Fertilizer:

Bougainvillea are overweight feeder and favour small amounts of nutrient available constantly , making a slow - release fertilizer a good selection . They should be fed regularly during their florescence time of year .

Watering:

irrigate your bougainvillea with a salutary soaking and then have it dry out . If they are left with wet ft , it may cause their bracts and leaf to drop . Frequent , curt lachrymation can leave in a shallow and rickety root organization . The amount and frequency of lachrymation should be adjusted for your climate . R&G Bougainvilleagives this ready to hand rule of thumb for watering : “ Few leaves , but some decrepit bracts — not enough piddle . Lots of green leaves , but little coloring — too much water system . A compounding of sizeable leaves and bracts — just right . ”

Diseases and Pests:

Although in the main quite disease insubordinate , bougainvillea works may be disruptive byaphids , leafminers , scale , snails & sluggard , wanderer mitesandwhitefly . The best path to keep your bougainvillea healthy is to keep the foliage and country around the plant life ironic and allow respectable air menstruum . Promptly get rid of any damaged , dead or infected branch and foliation .

Training:

Bougainvillea wo n’t naturally attach itself and may need assistant climbing . Use soft straps to tie and train bougainvillea to its supporting structure . The prickle on some type are hook - shaped and will assist in securing the plant to chain link or other fencing material or social organization .

BOUGAINVILLEA IN THE GARDEN

8 BOUGAINVILLEA PLANTS TO GROW

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

Bougainvillea‘Moneth ’ or Purple Queen

Zones:10 - 11Height / Spread : Up to 15 invertebrate foot tall if supported ; 1 - 1/2 feet tall and 8 foot wide as groundcoverExposure : Full sunBloom Time : Summer to closely year - round in icing - free zonesBloom Color : majestic bract with deep green foliage