\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. It's also a survivor plant, known to tolerate drought, salt and winds. Bougainvillea. Rinse out the pot or container with fresh water and remove any remaining debris. This plant likes it dry, so water it deeply every three or four weeks, rather than more frequently. Look up hardiness zones in your area. Bougainvillea can be pruned and trained to grow in containers. Photo by: Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo. Height/Spread: Can climb to 10 to 20 feet tall, or pruned to stay smaller You can stop watering them except during periods of drought. It cascades nicely down the sides of containers too. The bracts are large, crinkled ovals in brilliant shades of rose and purple. In areas where temperatures fall below 30 F. bougainvillea are treated as annuals, and brought indoors to winter-over. Photo by: Garden World Images, Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo. Pinching is a gentler form of pruning that works well for bougainvillea. Bougainvillea is native to arid areas and prefers a site with drier soil and full sun. Lots of green leaves, but little colortoo much water. On the whole, bougainvillea is relatively pest-free. Bougainvillea is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Brazil, Peru, Argentina and other South American countries. This variety can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet, but can be easily maintained to a size of 6 to 8 feet with light pruning. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. These vining shrubs require full sun and high light intensity to thrive and produce flowers. Indeed, the plant can grow up to 40 feet high! Height/Spread: Can climb to 20 to 30 feet if supported Follow label recommendations for the fertilizer you use, but as a rule of thumb, you should fertilize your plant every two to three weeks during the growing season. Gloves and heavy sleeves are necessities when pruning bougainvillea, as most varieties have numerous thorns. The genus was named after the French explorer and military commander, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, in 1736. Giant or full-sized bougainvillea add color and interest to the landscape, but these massive vines need plenty of room to grow. Bloom Time: Spring through summer, nearly year-round in frost-free zones Bougainvillea is hardy to USDA zones 9 to 11. If you wait any later than that and your bougainvillea may not have a chance to grow to maturity. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. These tropical-looking plants can brighten any corners of your garden and add texture and volume to your property. It blooms throughout the year in frost free areas and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. ", over-watered the plants. Even those in zone 9 should come indoors for the bulk of the winter unless they are in a protected location or warmer microclimate of the landscape. Since bougainvilleas are tropical natives, make sure they get plenty of sun! Fertilize the plant monthly during its active growing season. Exposure: Full sun But this doesn't mean. These tropical-looking plants can brighten any corners of your garden and add texture and volume to your property. Tropical Gardens Get planting advice, garden design tips and trends, monthly checklists for your area, product specials and more in our weekly newsletter. However, it's especially effective scrambling up, over, and around the Mediterranean and Spanish . Bougainvillea is a tough tropical vine that is great to grow as an espalier tree. Plus, it should drain fast: these plants dont like to say wet for long. NO feeding should take place until late winter or very early spring. Their vines can grow up to 40 feet tall with support. Bougainvillea 'Sundown Orange' offers bracts that begin deep orange, fade to coral, and mature to salmon pink. These plants will freeze to the ground when temperatures drop to 30 degrees F. (-1 C.) but provided it doesnt get colder, they usually spring right back when warmer weather appears. However, you may have to pay attention to the winter: to let your plant survive cold temperatures, make sure you adequately protect it. Sometimes curled leaves mean you have an insect problem. Bloom Time: Summer to nearly year-round in frost-free zones As soon as temperatures drop below 20F, move your plant inside to protect it from the cold. In the garden, this plant performs best when the temperature is at least 60F, and it tolerates temperatures as high as 95F. You can train bougainvilleas around the trellis, fences, or other structures. Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Nearly year-round in frost-free zones Low-growing, shrubby varieties only get a few feet tall and can be grown in containers. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'gardenloversclub_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',804,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'gardenloversclub_com-leader-1','ezslot_11',804,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-804{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Because the vine is frost-sensitive, its outdoor season in Chicago is restricted from mid-May to mid-October. They are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 and must be grown in containers in cooler regions. This takes some special bougainvillea winter care and preparation for the plant to slumber during the cold season. Hydrangeas in zone 4: Which Variety to Grow in Zone 4, What Planting Zone is Illinois in? Bougainvillea Care Gardeners caring for bougainvillea in the garden don't need to worry much about water once the plants mature. The good news is that this showy and stunning plant thrives in warm weather. Continue caring for your bougainvillea plant by watering sparingly, fertilizing every few months, pruning at the end of the season, and training it the climb a nearby wall or trellis. This dwarf bougainvillea produces brilliant pink or magenta bracts and continues to bloom throughout the summer. These plants, native to Central and South America, are a common sight in Texas, Southern California, Florida, and Arizona. If a range of zones, for example, zones 4-9, is indicated, the tree or perennial is known to be hardy in zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The versatility of this plant may surprise you. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The most common, especially in tropical areas where plants are hardy, is to allow these plants to climb walls and trellises. If your plants are getting out of hand, pruning and maintenance are best done in the fall before a new growth cycle. Try dwarf varieties. As spring nears, gradually increase water. The hardiest species is B. spectabilis , which is known to withstand temperatures down to about 20F. Most bougainvillea gardeners go with a 1:1:1 or a 2:1:2 fertilizer for regular fertilizing, not the high-phosphate fertilizer used at planting. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Because these plants don't have tendrils, they need some coaxing, but no training is necessary as a hanging basket plant. You can find bougainvillea plants in several colors, sizes, and shapes. Bloom Color: Bronze-orange. ", home here in Texas. It produces creamy white bracts and blooms from early spring through summer and grows to heights of 1 to 3 feet with a 2-foot spread. Suitable for growers in Zones 6 to 9, even the thorns on this tree have thorns! Bougainvillea thrive in Hardiness Zone 9 and up. If the soil is dry to this point, then it is time to water. A frost will kill most of the branches, but . Bougainvilleas ( Bougainvillea species) are tropical and subtropical woody vines of the Four-O'Clock family (Nyctaginaceae). The Common Diseases Found in Bougainvillea, The Best Time to Transplant a Mature Bougainvillea, University of Florida IFAS: Bougainvillea, Clemson Cooperative Extention: Bougainvillea, North Carolina State Extension: Bougainvillea, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests, Difference Between Mandevilla & Bougainvillea. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. This is the simplest way to display the wonderful blooms of bougainvillea. Just the Facts, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide. Bougainvillea is a perennial only in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Of the many species of bougainvillea in nature, only three have been widely cultivated. Festive seasonal color in pots or long-term groundcover. This fast-growing shade cover is ideal for planting on trellises, arbors, and pergolas because its reddish-pink flowers are ideal for shade.