Bougainvillea is a tropical shrub known for its colorful, bright, and abundant flowers. The flowers are actually modified leaves called “bracts.” These bracts come in several different colors, including fuchsia, white, purple, orange, and red. The plants are often sold as a bush, a tree form, or as a vine on a trellis. Always use gloves while handling, as bougainvillea have sharp thorns.
How tall will a bougainvillea get?
Some types of bougainvillea can reach a height of 10′ or more, but can easily be kept smaller with regular pruning. There are some mid-sized varieties like “raspberry ice”, “silhouette”, or “Miss Alice” that grow to about 5′ tall. “Helen Johnson”, the most commonly available dwarf variety, will grow to a height of 4′.
When do bougainvillea bloom?
These plants can bloom on and off year-round, but bloom the heaviest in the winter.
How do I get my bougainvillea to bloom?
Full sun, a regular watering schedule, and regular fertilization are the best ways to get a bougainvillea to bloom. These plants need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day – the more sun, the better. Fertilize with a granular blooming fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks. The Garden Place recommends Nurseryman’s Sure-Gro 6-8-10. After a bloom cycle, prune lightly to encourage new growth.
How do I plant my bougainvillea in the ground?
When removing the plant from the container, turn the plant upside down and slide the plant out. Avoid handling the trunk of the plant; instead, handle it by the root ball. Dig a hole 3 times the size of the current container. Mix in some Black Kow composted cow manure or a high-quality planting mix – do not plant directly into the new soil. Once the plant is in the ground, backfill around the root ball, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly higher than the surrounding ground. Water thoroughly, making sure to really soak the root ball, settle the soil, and remove air pockets. You can add mulch, but do not place it up against the stem. Plant these plants 4 to 5 ft apart.
Can I keep bougainvillea in a pot?
Yes, you can. Repot plants into containers at least a few inches larger than the current container they are in. Use a well-draining, high-quality potting mix and make sure that there is a hole in the bottom of the container to ensure drainage.
Something is eating the leaves on my bougainvillea! What should I do?
Caterpillars that eat the leaves are a common pest. The Garden Place recommends Sevin or Thuricide to control these bugs. Once treated, trim off the worst of the leaves and monitor to make sure new damage is not taking place.
The leaves are falling off my bougainvillea! What am I doing wrong?
Leaf drop may occur if not given enough sunlight or if the plant is getting too much or not enough water. When possible, adjust the sunlight to give the plant as much sun as possible and adjust the watering schedule – the plant does not want to sit wet for long periods of time, but also should not dry out to the point of wilting.
Leaf drop can also occur as a natural part of the growing cycle, right after a flowering period, and is usually followed by a flush of growth.