Bougainvillea — the drama queen of the garden. Bright, bold, and endlessly showy, these vining shrubs bring big colour with relatively low fuss once you know their moods.
A genus of thorny, woody vines and shrubs native to South America. What you think of as “flowers” are actually colorful bracts (modified leaves) surrounding small, inconspicuous true flowers. Colors include magenta, purple, pink, orange, red, white, and bi-colors. Heat- and sun-loving, moderately drought-tolerant once established, and happy in warm climates (USDA zones ~9–11 outdoor; can be container-grown elsewhere).
Full sun is essential — at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering. Well-draining soil only. Bougainvillea hate wet feet. Use sandy loam or an airy potting mix with grit/perlite. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is fine. Young plants need regular watering to establish; established plants prefer drier conditions and will bloom better with a bit of drought stress. Prune after a heavy bloom to shape and encourage branching. Bougainvillea flower on new growth, so timely pruning promotes more bloom cycles. Remove dead wood and thin out crowded stems.
Train it up a trellis, pergola, or wall for dramatic vertical color. Tie in new shoots loosely; let some long canes trail for a wild look. Train a single trunk and prune to create a lollipop tree — great in pots on a patio or lining walkways. Cascading over walls or containers: Let canes tumble over a garden wall or large container for a Mediterranean, relaxed vibe. Hedge or shrub: Keep pruned and dense to form a flowering hedge — thorny but effective as security and color.
Bottom line Give Bougainvillea sun, good drainage, and a little tough love (less water, light pruning, and low nitrogen). Pick a sunny, warm aspect and then unleash it where colour and drama — watch the thorns!
Call for availability
Bougainvillea — the drama queen of the garden. Bright, bold, and endlessly showy, these vining shrubs bring big colour with relatively low fuss once you know their moods.
A genus of thorny, woody vines and shrubs native to South America. What you think of as “flowers” are actually colorful bracts (modified leaves) surrounding small, inconspicuous true flowers. Colors include magenta, purple, pink, orange, red, white, and bi-colors. Heat- and sun-loving, moderately drought-tolerant once established, and happy in warm climates (USDA zones ~9–11 outdoor; can be container-grown elsewhere).
Full sun is essential — at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering. Well-draining soil only. Bougainvillea hate wet feet. Use sandy loam or an airy potting mix with grit/perlite. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is fine. Young plants need regular watering to establish; established plants prefer drier conditions and will bloom better with a bit of drought stress. Prune after a heavy bloom to shape and encourage branching. Bougainvillea flower on new growth, so timely pruning promotes more bloom cycles. Remove dead wood and thin out crowded stems.
Train it up a trellis, pergola, or wall for dramatic vertical color. Tie in new shoots loosely; let some long canes trail for a wild look. Train a single trunk and prune to create a lollipop tree — great in pots on a patio or lining walkways. Cascading over walls or containers: Let canes tumble over a garden wall or large container for a Mediterranean, relaxed vibe. Hedge or shrub: Keep pruned and dense to form a flowering hedge — thorny but effective as security and color.
Bottom line Give Bougainvillea sun, good drainage, and a little tough love (less water, light pruning, and low nitrogen). Pick a sunny, warm aspect and then unleash it where colour and drama — watch the thorns!
Call for availability
