\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The first bougainvillea to be identified (in 1798) was given the botanical name Bougainvillea spectabilis. Good bougainvillea winter care can ensure a healthy plant that will produce copious quantities of brightly colored flower bracts. Some people can get a skin rash from pruning bougainvillea, similar to that from poison ivy. Zones: 9-11, Bougainvillea 'California Gold' is one of the best-performing yellow-flowering bougainvillea varieties. Festive seasonal color in pots or long-term groundcover. Bougainvillea are heavy feeders and prefer small amounts of nutrients available constantly, making a slow-release fertilizer a good choice. When bougainvillea is grown as a houseplant, it likes high humidity of about 50 percent during the blooming period and lower humidity during the winter. Bougainvillea glabra also flower almost continuously up and down the length of the branches, but the flowers are slightly different. 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. Bougainvillea. Bougainvillea thrives in full sun. However, it's especially effective scrambling up, over, and around the Mediterranean and Spanish . Give your bougainvillea a fertilizer thats specifically formulated for bougainvilleas, which will include micronutrients, such as iron, to promote plant health. The tiny flowers appear up and down the branches almost year-round. Golden Jackpot Bougainvillea. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. 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. I now feel I can give it a good, "The flowers on our bougainvillea plants kept dying and falling off. Exposure: Full sun Possibly ok, but a risky time to plant bougainvillea, Probably not a good time to plant bougainvillea. When Does Bougainvillea Grow After a Hard Prune? Fertilize your bougainvillea every month in spring and early summer. Your online resource for everything gardening. Bougainvillea blooms come in purple, red, orange, white, pink and yellow. USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11 Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-draining How to Grow and Care for Bougainvillea 04 of 12 The leaves of this species are thin, and the bracts are magenta, fairly small and delicate. Bloom Color: Reddish-purple. The shrub's leathery leaves are also large, oval and hairy. Probably not a good time to plant bougainvillea The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Zone 6b is April . NO feeding should take place until late winter or very early spring. Instead, add a layer of compost in the spring to increase the nutrient content in the soil and boost flower production. Dwarf bougainvillea are ideal for small spaces or containers and typically reach a height and spread of 3 to 5 feet. Some species can tolerate lower temperatures. TALL) We've seen very tall bougainvilleas cladding every sort of surface from estate gates to garage walls. Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, semi-dwarf variety Often, the garage or basement is ideal, but make sure the plant has exposure to sunlight. Despite what you may be thinking, bougainvilleas are hardy plants: they don't mind droughts and prefer full direct sun. 1. Height/Spread: Up to 15 feet tall if supported; 1-1/2 feet tall and 8 feet wide as groundcover I gained a better understanding about the plant. It flourishes with minimal water and high temperatures. The biggest threat to bougainvillea plants in the garden is the appropriately named bougainvillea caterpillar. 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. Always read the label carefully to determine the size of the bougainvillea at maturity. Discover the right plants for your garden. If you can't find a dedicated bougainvillea fertilizer, use a 10-10-10 general-purpose fertilizer. It also is beautiful growing over arbors, into espaliers, or in hanging baskets. However, northern gardeners will have a bit more work to keep this plant alive and happy during winter. If you dont have the space for such a large plant in your garden, dont worry: you can also find low-growing shrubs that wont get higher than a few feet tall. Get plant information, gardening solutions, design inspiration and more in our weekly newsletter. 8306 Mills Drive, Suite #461 Miami, FL 33183. Add limestone to the soil to increase the pH or sulphur to decrease the pH as necessary. Keep a close eye when growing next to buildings, as it may grow into cracks or under roofing and become destructive. In the coldest months of winter you should expect an average low temperature of -5F. The last month that you can plant bougainvillea and expect a good harvest is probably August . This is caused by the sap, not the leaves or stems. To start growing bougainvillea in gardens, youll need to live somewhere warm; otherwise, container growing of bougainvillea is recommended. Bougainvillea 'Juanita Hatten' offers bold fuchsia-pink flowers in summer and green leaves dotted in gold. While there are a number of species of bougainvillea some deciduous, some evergreen only three are used widely in cultivation. Although plenty of sun is essential for bougainvilleas to produce blooms, other cultural factors can also help or hurt flower production. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 and prefers full sun. Bougainvillea is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Brazil, Peru, Argentina and other South American countries. As it grows, you'll need to "train" it to climb the structure by wrapping it gently around the base. It prefers full sun and acidic, well-drained soil. It prefers either full sun or light shade and grows best in acidic, well-drained soil. Scratch a granular fertilizer into the soil and water well. Promptly remove any damaged, dead or infected branches and foliage. Train on trellises next to buildings to serve as a wall covering. Bloom Time: Summer to nearly year-round in frost-free zones Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Leaves generally turn brown or black from frost burn, eventually falling from the plants. Native to South America, bougainvillea has brightly colored flowers in shades of red, purple, orange and white - but they're not actually flowers at all, but bracts, leaf-like parts of the plant.. So, you might have to take some measures to keep your plant alive during the wintertime. You can stop watering them except during periods of drought. Also, dont lose time fertilizing this plant: bougainvillea doesnt need it. Bougainvillea is a deciduous, tropical vine, hardy in zones 9-11. "I purchased a plant from a supermarket with no instructions. Pinch off the soft, growing tips of young plant stems to encourage thicker, fuller growth. These tropical-looking plants can brighten any corners of your garden and add texture and volume to your property. The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Zone 6b is April. 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m) Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 C (20 F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 C (25 F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 C (30 F) . In areas below those zones, a bougainvillea in winter should be kept in containers and moved indoors. A good mix of soil would be 3/4 potting soil plus 1/4 cactus and succulent mix towards the bottom of the pot to ensure the best drainage. What should I do? Plant bougainvillea in the garden in spring or summer, which gives the plant time to develop a strong root system before cool weather. Indeed, with the proper protection, this plant will thrive in zone 8. It's hard to find flowers that work here. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. But those same qualities make it useful as a ground cover in difficult-to-maintain parts of a property. If the soil is dry to this point, then it is time to water. Zone 9 achieves low temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees F. (-8 to -2 C.), well below freezing. Can bougainvillea plants be trained as topiaries? This gorgeous vine is available in many colors including hot pink (my favorite) red, purple, lavender, yellow, orange, pale pink, white, and white with pink-tipped edges. Double yellow blooms have a slight fragrance. Bougainvilleas thorny nature can prove useful if grown as a security hedge. Overwintering bougainvillea indoors takes a bit more planning. Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide Water lightly to keep the soil slightly moist. Rosenka Bougainvillea Zone: 10 - 11. This sun-loving plant produces waxy flowers in the spring and the fall in zones 9 to 11. If the soil at the bottom (the tip of your finger) is damp, don't water. Don't worry too much about the heat, since this shrub thrives in hot dry locations even in temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These evergreen climber plants hail from South America where the weather is toasty, so it's no surprise that bougainvillea does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 and above. Height/Spread: 1-1/2 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide as ground cover Because they have sharp thorns, locate them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity. This plant likes it dry, so water it deeply every three or four weeks, rather than more frequently. You can also periodically trim rangy stems as needed throughout the year. This is the simplest way to display the wonderful blooms of bougainvillea. Part of the care for bougainvillea plants over winter is to keep them a touch on the dry side. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. . If soil is too alkaline, chlorosis (pale leaves) can occur. The bracts surround the actual flowers that are tiny and white. Enjoy! Good bougainvillea winter care can ensure a healthy plant that will produce copious quantities of brightly colored flower bracts. It climbs to 30 feet. But this doesnt necessarily mean a plant is dead. 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 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. Although bougainvillea vines tolerate many types of soil, they prefer loamy soil that contains clay, sand, and silt in equal parts. They can be white as well as lilac and purple. This showy bougainvillea produces white bracts that transform to a delicate pink as they mature creating the illusion of bicolored flowers. To grow bougainvillea, plant it in full sun, slightly acidic and well-drained soil, and a relatively hot and dry climate. In these zones, gardeners can grow bougainvillea outside year-round. Use soft straps to tie and train bougainvillea to its supporting structure. Napa Master Gardener Column: Bougainvillea, The Weather Channel: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monthly Weather, University of Florida Extension: Warm Climate Guidelines for Bougainvillea, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Bougainvillea, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests, How to Keep Your Miniature Bougainvillea Alive, The Lowest Temperature for the Tropical Plant Bougainvillea. "I brought a bougainvillea this year without any way of knowing how to care for it. You should also apply a balanced fertilizer to your bougainvillea every few months so it grows strong and healthy. Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. . They can also be used in hanging baskets with minimal care. Bougainvillea Care Gardeners caring for bougainvillea in the garden don't need to worry much about water once the plants mature. It blooms all summer and tolerates rain and high humidity. 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. Bougainvillea are woody flowering shrubs that grow to 20 or 30 feet or more. Zones: 10-11 James Walker produces reddish-purple blooms with a delicate white center and blooms nearly all year. The plants thrive in USDA hardiness zone 10-11, and will also grow in zone 9 with adequate protection. If your plants are getting out of hand, pruning and maintenance are best done in the fall before a new growth cycle. It may be necessary to severely cut back the plant if it was growing rampant and vigorously outside, just to facilitate handling and for space issues. Eliminate old and unhealthy branches and trim the others to 20 feet or less. It pairs well with blues and bright pinks or can be used as a stand-alone specimen in planters. Just the Facts, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide. But this doesn't mean. Observing which varieties do well for neighbors and in community gardens will also give you a heads-up on which variety ir right for you. This tropical native needs some room to grow. Use strong ties to allow them to grow up to walls: these plants dont have tendrils to attach to surfaces on their own. She currently divides her life between San Francisco and southwestern France. As temperatures outside warm, gradually introduce the plant to more light and warmer temperatures to get it ready to go outdoors. The plants grow in dry soil in their native region, but root restricted container plants benefit from rich soil that will retain some moisture. Copyright 2023. As you can see, you can grow bougainvilleas in zone 8. It's also a survivor plant, known to tolerate drought, salt and winds. Bougainvillea is a genus of vine-like shrubs native to South America. Too much water can cause your plant to rot and catch fungal diseases. The last month that you can plant bougainvillea and expect a good harvest is probably August. Bloom Time: Summer to nearly year-round in frost-free zones Height/Spread: Can climb to 20 to 30 feet if supported But cold is another story. Hopefully, I will get favorable results this summer. The flowers are tiny, tubular and white, but they are protected by papery modified leaves called _bract_s that appear in a variety of spectacular colors, including scarlet, violet, royal purple and buttercup yellow. However, you will have to provide moisture to your plants during their first two years of life. The best way to keep your bougainvillea healthy is to keep the foliage and area around the plant dry and allow good air flow. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Their vines can grow up to 40 feet tall with support. Situate the containers in a cool area but one that doesnt freeze. Some suggest that the best growing mixture is a soil-less mix since these are free of weed seeds, disease pathogens and insect eggs. The information about things like the poison. Bougainvillea thrive in Hardiness Zone 9 and up. Each of the three species has slightly different features and degrees of hardiness. If you're planting the bougainvillea in a container, make sure to choose one with plenty of drainage holes, since bougainvillea hate to have "wet feet.". It blooms throughout the year in frost free areas and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. You may love it or hate it: regardless, this plant is a perfect addition to most landscapes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Bougainvillea also trains well and accepts pruning happily. If you plant bougainvilleas in the ground, make sure they have well-drained soil; they don't like to remain wet for too long. Bougainvillea plants make fantastic topiaries. Stay away from a medium with high peat content since it retains water and may rot the plant. You probably won't see this pest because when you touch the plant, the caterpillar falls to the ground. If grown as groundcover, they will be 1-1/2 to 2 feet tall and spread 8 to 10 feet wide. The bracts, often called false flowers, are what attract pollinators to the true flowers hidden within their brightly colored backdrop. My leaves are curling up. Just be sure to remember that USDA zone info for Zone 6b is just an average and the actual date of last frost can change quite a bit from year to year. Young specimens provide a nasty barrier, and as it matures . Water your bougainvillea sparingly whenever the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry so that the soil becomes damp but not soaked. The genus was named after the French explorer and military commander, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, in 1736. Photo by: Scenics & Science / Alamy Stock Photo. All Rights Reserved. These vigorous-growing plants can quickly take over a wall or garden area, but they can be trained and maintained to fit the desired setting. Make sure it gets at least 6 hours of full sun, and feed it regularly with flower fertilizer. Sign up for our newsletter. Optimum Watering It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. R&G Bougainvillea gives this handy guideline for watering: Few leaves, but some weak bractsnot enough water. Wear gloves when pruning bougainvillea. Yucca Read on for information about how to grow a bougainvillea. Bougainvillea'Barbara Karst' How many times per day do I need to water the plant? Also, it should be a couple of inches larger than the plants root ball to accommodate its growth. Bougainvillea are not cold tolerant which tells us that it is necessary to wait until it warms up after the last frost has passed before you can plant them. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Zones: 10-11 These fast-growing vines also are typically easy to train to grow on trellises, walls, and other supports. Last Updated: April 10, 2023 This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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