Bougainvillea is among the fastest growing plants. Bougainvillea is a heavy feeder but requires a certain fertilizer to grow properly. The propagation of bougainvillea from seeds is difficult as compared to growing it from cuttings. Where to plant Bougainvillea in the UK. In warm climates, a bougainvillea plant can be grown as a vine or groundcover, in cool areas it's a great container plant. A trick for applying heat is to drape lit, outdoor holiday lights prior to covering with thermal covers. is a tropical plant that naturally assumes a climbing or trailing form, and it does well when allowed to climb up and over a trellis or fence. Only two species and one hybrid of Bougainvillea are generally in cultivation in this country and B. glabra and the hybrid B. Firstly, they should be given a good annual pruning in early spring to get the plant back into shape. The popular Bougainvillea plant derives its name from the paper-thin, brilliantly colored bracts, or scale-like leaves, that form perky geometric frames around the small flowers. To plant bougainvillea, there are some required conditions such as relatively dry and hot climate, well-drained and slightly acidic soil, and full sun. Take softwood cuttings from a healthy bougainvillea, dip in rooting hormone and plant in sterile soil, or Perlite and water and allow 2-3 weeks for a good root system to form. Also, it is necessary to care for your bougainvillea plants by watering it sparingly, pruning at the season’s end, fertilising on a regular basis, and many more. plastic sheeting, frost cloths. If the plant is left exposed to the wind, the heat from the light will dry out the plant even further. Caldwell shared another bloom trick: Let the plant dry out until it’s near wilting. If you’re thinking of planting a bougainvillea in your garden, be sure to allow plenty of room for it to spread and grow. To keep Bougainvillea plants at their best they need a regular pruning regime. Due to high popularity and intense use in tropical countries, Bougainvillea is called ‘Glory of the Tropics’. A bougainvillea plant is native to the rain forests of Brazil, Peru, and southern Argentina. How to Plant Bougainvillea. Its long arching branches bear heart-shaped leaves and masses of papery bracts in purple, pink, yellow, white, orange and burgundy colors. Planting a bougainvillea is not that hard, but you will need to take some of the plant’s growing habits into consideration first. Keep the bougainvillea cuttings damp. A lax-stemmed, woody perennial in the South, the bougainvillea is a showy subject in Northern greenhouses and in containers in gardens, and for indoors in a large sunny window. Ensure that you provide the plant with plenty of support to grow and train. Bougainvillea, a shrubby-climber is one of the most popular ornamental plants in tropical and sub-tropical gardens. Some experts say these species vary between four and eighteen. For instant impact, many cultivars can be bought as trained standards, such as the weeping form of 'Krishna'. Bougainvillea can grow anywhere from 1′ to 8′ to 30′, depending on the species or variety. First the collection of bougainvillea seeds from flowers itself is difficult. This needs to be completed before the new growth starts as Bougainvilleas form flowers on new wood. Remove any leaves from the bottom third of the cutting. In hanging baskets or containers, as a climbing vine, wall cover, or shaped into a tree, the bougainvillea is a popular favorite visible in nearly every city, town, or rural hamlet across the country. With this in mind, choose a spot against a warm, protected wall where you want to add a BIG splash of color. Once the first set of bracts shape and drop in the spring, at that time prune the excess growth on the plant. Bougainvillea thrives in the heat and is restricted to outdoor growing only in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and 11. Bougainvilleas are tough and drought-resistant plants but at their early stages of growth, they can get damaged by frost or their leaves may fall off. You can't beat it for a big show of color! Due to their thin, fibrous roots, bougainvillea plants are very sensitive to mishandling, so extra care needs to be taken when planting them to avoid disturbing their root systems in any way. Bougainvillea Species. The bougainvillea plant can be propagated from seeds, stem cuttings and by layering. Bougainvillea. Cultivar Selection. Just like planting a shrub, dig the hole at least 2 times as wide as the rootball. Speaking of prolific, this always requires some pruning care from the gardener in order to force betting blooming performance. Bougainvillea tends to leach out this trace element. To make planting bougainvillea easier, you may consider cutting down the sides of its container with a sharp, clean pair of scissors or garden shears. The key to success in growing bougainvillea is to grow it in full sun, all day, and keep the soil on the dry side. If the plant isn’t subjected to more frosts, it will regrow. Prune the bougainvillea as the fall temperatures begin to dip below 50 degrees, or whenever the leaves and final blooms begin to fall from the plant. Bougainvillea glabra is an evergreen climbing plant with thorny stems, native to South America. Add top soil or organic peat moss mixed with composted cow manure to the hole when you plant. Bougainvilleas grow best outdoors in warm locations such as zone 9 or higher. Bougainvillea, with their thorny, woody, tropical vines, produce beautiful clusters of red, pink, orange, white, yellow, purple, and magenta paper-like bracts. How to grow bougainvillea from cuttings You can make your own extra bougainvillea plants by taking cuttings in summer or early autumn: Take 15cm-long cuttings from the new shoots with a little bit of the old growth attached. The colorful bracts surround the actual flower, which is usually small and white. The Bougainvillea plant, native to the coasts of Brazil in South America, is an immensely versatile and showy plant that makes our roads, parks and gardens abundantly colorful. However, the showy blossoms that make this plant a crowd favorite only develop on new growth. Bougainvillea is a tropical woody vine that bears colorful, paper-like flowers. Regular bougainvillea care involves trimming after each bloom cycle and then fertilizing to promote new growth and new flowers. Bougainvillea don’t like getting wet feet so avoid overwatering. Learn how to plant and care for bougainvillea and discover 8 of the best bougainvilleas to grow in your garden. To make planting bougainvillea easier, you may consider cutting down the sides of its container with a sharp, clean pair of scissors or garden shears. That being said, for your bougainvillea to truly thrive indoors, maintain temperatures around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. *The only exception to this is newly planted Bougainvillea plants in their establishment process. Bougainvillea is known for its colorful display of flowers, or bracts. With proper care, however, it can also be trained to take on the form of a small tree. Bougainvillea Grow and Care Instructions Temperature. The popular Bougainvillea plant derives its name from the paper-thin, brilliantly colored bracts, or scale-like leaves, that form perky geometric frames around the small flowers. Note: This post was previously published on 5/7/2017. There is nothing quite like a bougainvillea in full bloom. The more the better! It bears clusters of tiny white flowers surrounded by colourful bracts in a range of colours from pink and purple to red. A lax-stemmed, woody perennial in the South, the bougainvillea is a showy subject in Northern greenhouses and in containers in gardens, and for indoors in a large sunny window. How to plant bougainvillea to grow successfully: First of all, make sure you’re planting it in a sunny, warm location. Excessive water can cause the leaves to drop from the plant. Due to their thin, fibrous roots, bougainvillea plants are very sensitive to mishandling, so extra care needs to be taken when planting them to avoid disturbing their root systems in any way. It also blooms for most of the year, and so your effort will be there for all to see. Trim each branch about 6 or 8 inches from the tip. Rest assured, you don't have to let the plant get that big! Bougainvillea is a relatively hardy plant, able to withstand a range of temperatures, from tropical highs of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and above, all the way down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Bougainvillea plants are tough as nails, which includes their nail-like thorns. These plants are scrambling climbers and may need additional support. Frost is a definite no-no! Photo: Simon Griffiths / bauersyndication.com.au. It was updated on 8/13/2020. It is a vine plant that climbs trellises and walls and creates a ‘ living wall ‘ feature in the garden. These plants put on a spectacular show of color in spring on their fresh new growth. Once planted and established, a bougainvillea can be an eye-catching wonder. How to Plant Bougainvillea. Important: Bougainvillea cuttings need to be misted a couple times a day until misted. Then the propagated bougainvillea plant will not be exact copy of the potted plant. Bougainvillea is best propagated from stem cuttings. The variegated bougainvillea is an amazing plant which offers so much and can give that WOW to a landscape and garden design, I have seen the beauty of these garden plants that are so impressive so if you’re interested in the care and the growth of this plant then following this guide will help you to receive the desired results so go for it you will be so happy that you did. In Britain it’s grown as a houseplant, typically in sunny, humid conservatories and greenhouses, where conditions mimic those of its native subtropical habitat.