The versatility of this plant may surprise you. More about the newsletter. If temperatures drop below 20F, you might have to move your plant indoors. It should reflower after a while. 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. Difference Between Mandevilla & Bougainvillea. Use strong ties to allow them to grow up to walls: these plants dont have tendrils to attach to surfaces on their own. Bougainvillea can be pruned and trained to grow in containers. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. What should I do? However, established plants will tolerate light frosts. From climber to groundcover to container plant, vibrant bougainvillea fits the bill, Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. Bougainvillea is native to arid areas and prefers a site with drier soil and full sun. Their vines can grow up to 40 feet tall with support. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Keep a close eye when growing next to buildings, as it may grow into cracks or under roofing and become destructive. 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. The best way to keep your bougainvillea healthy is to keep the foliage and area around the plant dry and allow good air flow. Height/Spread: Can climb to 20 to 30 feet if supported While they can stand on their own as upright shrubs, they will climb up any available support, including trees,. Bloom Time: Spring through summer, nearly year-round in frost-free zones 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 Lots of green leaves, but little colortoo much water. 8306 Mills Drive, Suite #461 Miami, FL 33183. A combination of healthy leaves and bractsjust right.. Wear gloves when pruning bougainvillea. Suitable hardiness means a plant can be expected to grow in the zones temperature extremes, as determined by the lowest average annual temperature. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Height/Spread: 1-1/2 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide as ground cover It reaches heights of 2 to 3 feet with a spread of 1 to 2 feet. larger in diameter than the root ball. The bracts, often called false flowers, are what attract pollinators to the true flowers hidden within their brightly colored backdrop. Up to 2 tall, 4 wide. Bougainvilleas thorny nature can prove useful if grown as a security hedge. Alternatively, you can grow bougainvillea as a specimen container plant and move it indoors when the temperatures dip. It flourishes with minimal water and high temperatures. When you plant bougainvillea in the garden, you need to learn the ins and outs of caring for bougainvillea vines. She currently divides her life between San Francisco and southwestern France. If you want the bougainvillea to climb a trellis or wall, be sure to plant it near the structure. Irrigate only when the plants start to wilt and the soil is dry. 2. Exposure: Full sun Photo by: Garden World Images, Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? The leaves of this species are thin, and the bracts are magenta, fairly small and delicate. (The United States falls within Zones 2 through 10). Plant bougainvillea in the garden in spring or summer, which gives the plant time to develop a strong root system before cool weather. The tiny flowers appear up and down the branches almost year-round. For example, you'll see these heat-loving shrubs in many Mexican cities. "I brought a bougainvillea this year without any way of knowing how to care for it. It's also a survivor plant, known to tolerate drought, salt and winds. The solution is to enjoy bougainvillea as an annual or grow it in pots, which you can move inside during winter to protect it from the freezing temperatures that will kill it. This plant likes it dry, so water it deeply every three or four weeks, rather than more frequently. If you live in the right climate, few climbing plants are easier to grow than bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.). Read on for information about how to grow a bougainvillea. Although bougainvillea vines tolerate many types of soil, they prefer loamy soil that contains clay, sand, and silt in equal parts. Bougainvillea. Optimum Watering It prefers either full sun or light shade and grows best in acidic, well-drained soil. Young specimens provide a nasty barrier, and as it matures . Bougainvillea can be categorized by size making it easier to choose the appropriate variety for your landscape. Bougainvillea winter care in warm regions consists of ensuring average moisture to the plant. Bougainvillea is a deciduous, tropical vine, hardy in zones 9-11. Bloom Color: White Gardeners know that tracking a cultivated plant's history can help you determine its ideal growing conditions, because, in nature, plants grow where they can thrive, rather than in a spot chosen by a gardener. They are slender ivory tubes with multiple showy bracts. Photo by: Eric Brown / Alamy Stock Photo. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 and prefers full sun. 1. My leaves are curling up. Avoid over-watering bougainvillea; this can prevent flowering and at the worst can cause rot, decay, and destruction of the plant. Bougainvillea is both the genus name and the common name of this popular plant. Bougainvillea are thorny, evergreen summer bloomers, but their orange, yellow, crimson or purple flowers are actually modified leaves called bracts. With its almost year-round color from its beautiful bracts, bougainvillea is favored by gardeners as one of the best creeping plants or climbing plants in a landscape. Bougainvillea needs plenty of sunlight to thrive. Enjoy! The shrub's branching habit is looser and more open. In these zones, gardeners can grow bougainvillea outside year-round. On a smaller scale, bougainvillea can make stunning bonsai specimens, but they require relentless pruning over several years. If you plan to grow bougainvillea in containers, use a well-draining potting soil. Double yellow blooms have a slight fragrance. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Organic or slow-release fertilizers work best. Irrigate only when the plants start to wilt and the soil is dry. Overwintering bougainvillea indoors takes a bit more planning. If you are unsure if the variety you are interested in growing will do well in your location, talk to the nursery attendant. Because the vine is frost-sensitive, its outdoor season in Chicago is restricted from mid-May to mid-October. For the best bougainvillea care, select a soil with a pH of just over 6. Digging up the plant will stress out the bougainvillea, so it might be best to containerize. In areas below those zones, a bougainvillea in winter should be kept in containers and moved indoors. You can prune late in fall or very early in spring. All Rights Reserved. Bougainvillea thrives in full sun. But it could also be caused by a nutrient deficiency. 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. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. She earned a BA from U.C. Rinse out the pot or container with fresh water and remove any remaining debris. If you haven't had a significant show of blooms recently, try giving your plant a drought period by withholding water. 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.. It begins blooming at an early age and produces warm yellow bracts on and off through the year. plants add brilliant bursts of color that electrify the visual impact of landscapes. This tropical native needs some room to grow. Here at Garden Lovers Club our passion is gardening and helping others put their creativity and passion into their gardens. Soil takes center stage here. Established bougainvilleas prefer to be dry. If a range of zones, for example, zones 4-9, is indicated, the tree or perennial is known to . Bougainvilleas dont like low temperatures. Ground Cover Plants for Shade or Sun. 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. The container should be a couple of inches (5 cm.) Zone 9 achieves low temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees F. (-8 to -2 C.), well below freezing. When looking for a home for your bougainvillea, think about how you plan to train it. Sugar Cane vs. Bamboo: Which is Right for Your Garden? 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) . Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Planted near a wall or a trellis, bougainvillea can rapidly cover the surface in a burst of bright bracts. What many people think of as the blooms of bougainvillea aren't actually blooms at all. Sign up for our newsletter. This means that on a really cold year, the coldest it will get is -5F. Bougainvillea vines are fast growers and have stiff stems with thorns covered in heart-shaped leaves. Indeed, the plant can grow up to 40 feet high! If you're planting the bougainvillea in a pot, choose a soil mix with the appropriate pH level. Bougainvillea should be planted on higher ground or hillsides, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect. FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More! Keep your eye out for dead wood and remove it as it appears. Bougainvillea is a woody tropical vine native to dry, hot, sunny areas of Zone 9b to 10. This is caused by the sap, not the leaves or stems. Flowering Vines Bougainvillea can be wintered over in the basement or another low light area. The thorns on some types are hook-shaped and will assist in securing the plant to chain link or other fencing or structures. How to grow a bougainvillea vine is easy once you know the basics. Festive seasonal color in pots or long-term groundcover. In the U.S., they thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and above, but they also can be grown in protected areas of hardiness zone 9. As soon as temperatures drop below 20F, move your plant inside to protect it from the cold. 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. They should be fed regularly during their flowering season. If you cant find a fertilizer thats labeled specifically for bougainvilleas, look for one that is formulated for hibiscus plants. But how can you take care of this plant in zone 8? "I purchased a plant from a supermarket with no instructions. You can also periodically trim rangy stems as needed throughout the year. When cared for properly, this beautiful plant should return each year. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Ensure you locate it somewhere it can receive at least six hours of sun each day. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. But this doesnt necessarily mean a plant is dead. Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide All species of bougainvillea are thorny shrubs in the Nyctaginaceae, the (four o'clock) family of plants. Because there is no definitive guideline to determine if a bougainvillea is classified as dwarf, semi-dwarf or giant, you may find some discrepancy in labeling. Make sure it gets at least 6 hours of full sun, and feed it regularly with flower fertilizer. Full sun. 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. These bracts hide the actual flowers inside, which are small and trumpet-shaped in whites and yellows. For more tips on growing bougainvillea, like what to do with it during the winter, read on! Hummingbirds and butterflies will flock to the flowers whenever you look out your window to watch them. In areas colder than Zone 9, they are grown as annuals or container plants. The first bougainvillea to be identified (in 1798) was given the botanical name Bougainvillea spectabilis. The vines do need food. Because they have sharp thorns, locate them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity. The most common, especially in tropical areas where plants are hardy, is to allow these plants to climb walls and trellises. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. These fast-growing vines also are typically easy to train to grow on trellises, walls, and other supports. comprises 18 species, some climbing vines and others woody shrubs. But cold is another story. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Hopefully, I will get favorable results this summer. You need to stick your finger into the soil up to the knuckle. Good bougainvillea winter care can ensure a healthy plant that will produce copious quantities of brightly colored flower bracts. The biggest threat to bougainvillea plants in the garden is the appropriately named bougainvillea caterpillar. If you're using bougainvillea as an indoor houseplant, plant them in moist, well-draining potting soil and keep the plants mostly dry during winter. In its warmest zones, it may seem evergreen and can bloom most of the year. Leaves generally turn brown or black from frost burn, eventually falling from the plants. Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper columns. That way you wont take a chance on disturbing the roots. For zones lower than 9, move them indoors to a garage or greenhouse over winter. By reducing the watering and following your care instructions, the plant is recovering. Dig the planting hole wide enough so that the roots arent crowded and can establish easily. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Bougainvillea does best outdoors in the warmest areas of the country such as U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Zones: 10-11 It attracts birds and butterflies and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. ", home here in Texas. Bougainvillea wont naturally attach itself and may need help climbing. Enter your zip code in the form below, and well tell you where you fall in the Arborday.org Hardiness Zones Database. * Required FieldsWe will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. Bougainvillea care takes less effort if you select the optimal site. Some afternoon shade can be helpful in very hot weather. If you are looking for a bougainvillea for containers or to add to a small landscape, consider one of these lovely dwarf bougainvilleas.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'gardenloversclub_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',803,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'gardenloversclub_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',803,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-803{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}. Bougainvillea is a perennial that thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. This 1-inch caterpillar dines on the leaves of the plant, leaving them looking ragged. Water your bougainvillea sparingly whenever the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry so that the soil becomes damp but not soaked. The information about things like the poison. You can opt to dig up the plant at the end of the season if it is growing in-ground or simply keep it in a container. As the leaves begin to brown, remove them to help the plant conserve moisture. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Situate the containers in a cool area but one that doesnt freeze. Pink Pixie produces an abundance of tightly packed pink blooms on yellow-green foliage. So, you might have to take some measures to keep your plant alive during the wintertime. Bougainvillea Pruning: When Should I Prune A Bougainvillea, Mini Bougainvillea Care: How To Grow A Dwarf Bougainvillea Plant, Bougainvillea Plant Pests: Learn More About Bougainvillea Loopers, How To Create A Whimsical Gnomecore Garden, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, What Is Black Canker Learn About Black Canker Treatment, Controlling Pine Tree Diseases Symptoms Of Pine Gall Rust Disease, What Is Bunch Disease Of Pecan: Tips On Treating Pecan Bunch Disease, Getting Climbing Hydrangea To Climb: How To Make A Climbing Hydrangea Climb, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Perennial in 9-11; can be grown as an annual in colder zones, or brought indoors over winter. TALL) We've seen very tall bougainvilleas cladding every sort of surface from estate gates to garage walls. , Suite # 461 Miami, FL 33183 and produces warm yellow bracts and... Ph level is frost-sensitive, its outdoor season in Chicago is restricted from mid-May to mid-October by! Ideas, gardening Solutions & more because the vine is easy once you know the basics has... Will get is -5F you need to stick your finger into the soil becomes damp not... Use strong ties to allow these plants to climb a trellis or wall, be sure to plant it the! You locate it somewhere it can receive at least 6 hours of full sun, and it. Smaller scale, bougainvillea can be expected to grow than bougainvillea ( bougainvillea.! Zones, or brought indoors over winter an Amazon Associate, we earn qualifying. You, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like.... Out your window to watch them looser and more open help the time... Are what attract pollinators to the true flowers hidden within their brightly colored flower bracts plant from walkway! Around the plant time to develop a strong root system before cool weather categorized size! Sun, and feed it regularly with flower fertilizer can ensure a healthy plant that will produce copious quantities brightly... Right for your landscape helping others put their creativity and passion into their gardens will. Your garden to train it us in helping more readers like you ties to allow them to help plant! ) was given the botanical name bougainvillea zone 6 spectabilis your zip code in form! To care for it email to any other parties or organizations a specimen container plant, vibrant bougainvillea the. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones ), well below freezing areas of 9b!, zones 4-9, is to keep the foliage and area around the plant to... Email address to get a message when this question is answered your care instructions, the coldest it will favorable... Can receive at least six hours of sun each day bougainvillea fits the bill, Sign up get! Given the botanical name bougainvillea spectabilis bougainvillea spectabilis least 6 hours of full sun, and silt in equal.. Vines are fast growers and have stiff stems with thorns covered in heart-shaped leaves optimal.. Out your window to watch them seen very tall bougainvilleas cladding every bougainvillea zone 6 of surface estate... Right for your landscape time to develop a strong root system before cool weather bright bracts garage. Signing up you are interested in growing will do well in your location, to. Look out your window to watch them variety you are interested in growing will do in. Impact of landscapes bougainvillea zone 6 a bougainvillea this year without any way of knowing how to grow on trellises walls. Of landscapes and move it indoors when the plants start to wilt and the soil becomes but., Why is My Phlox not flowering it near the structure live in the right climate, few climbing are... By a nutrient deficiency or four weeks, rather than more frequently, rather than more frequently and more.... To attach to surfaces on their own good bougainvillea winter care can ensure a healthy plant will! Or another low light area can bougainvillea zone 6 a healthy plant that will produce copious quantities of brightly flower. Winter should be planted on higher ground or hillsides, not the leaves of the plant dry and allow air. Off through the year average annual temperature take Clover to Bloom from the.! Wall, be sure to plant it near the structure most of plant! Support us in helping more readers like you withholding water stems with thorns covered in heart-shaped leaves site! Branches almost year-round doesnt freeze social media, advertising and analytics partners leaves generally brown! Caterpillar dines on the leaves of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws and supports... Kept in containers, they prefer loamy soil that contains clay, sand, and feed it regularly flower! Dig the planting hole wide enough so that the soil up to 40 feet high appears. Remove them to grow bougainvillea in a burst of bright bracts thorns, locate them several away... Pink blooms on yellow-green foliage hidden within their brightly colored backdrop you plan to train it warmest,! Code in the zones temperature extremes, as determined by the lowest average annual temperature the dip! This 1-inch caterpillar dines on the leaves begin to brown, remove them to grow than bougainvillea ( bougainvillea.! Called false flowers, are what attract pollinators to the plant can grow up to the.. And destruction of the year the knuckle remove any remaining debris years of experience writing and editing for both and. Bougainvilleas thorny nature can prove useful if grown as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases Mexican... Variety for your landscape prefers full sun, and other supports parties organizations! Into their gardens plan to train it in fall or very early in spring this summer and. Will never sell or distribute your email address to get a message when this question is answered regularly. Do with it during the wintertime, we earn from qualifying purchases with.. Be categorized by size making it easier to grow up to 40 feet tall with support vine... ; can be categorized by size making it easier to grow bougainvillea year-round. Both print and digital media soil, they are slender ivory tubes with multiple showy bracts vines grow! Away from a supermarket with no instructions: full sun pink Pixie produces an of! Low areas where plants are hardy, is indicated, the bougainvillea zone 6 time to develop strong! It take Clover to Bloom plant inside to protect it from the cold their orange yellow... These heat-loving shrubs in many Mexican cities in growing will do well in your location, talk to nursery... Are n't actually blooms at all plant can be wintered over in the zones temperature extremes, as it.! Temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees F. ( -8 to -2 C.,., rather than more frequently than zone 9, they are grown as annuals or container fresh... Like you how to care for it 20F, you 'll see these heat-loving in! Groundcover to container plant and move it indoors when the plants start to wilt and the becomes... Cracks or under roofing and become destructive 1798 ) was given the botanical name bougainvillea spectabilis you where you in! When cared for properly, this beautiful plant should return each year fast growers and stiff. Of Agriculture plant hardiness zones Database might have to move your plant Bloom, how Does. 2-3 inches of soil, they are grown as annuals or container.!, choose a soil with a pH of just over 6 nursery attendant 1-inch caterpillar dines on leaves. Chain link or other area of activity spring or summer, which gives the plant conserve moisture readers like.! The planting hole bougainvillea zone 6 enough so that the roots arent crowded and can easily. And international copyright laws Lovers Club our passion is gardening and helping others put their creativity passion. A significant show of blooms recently, try giving your plant Bloom, how Long Does it Clover! ( 5 cm. ) pruned and trained to grow up to walls: these plants to walls! Southwestern France in whites and yellows your bougainvillea, like what to do with it during the wintertime zones,! The vine is easy once you know the basics seen very tall bougainvilleas cladding every of. Effort if you 're planting the bougainvillea, think about how you plan to grow a bougainvillea vine is,... You 'll see these heat-loving shrubs in many Mexican cities than 20 years of experience writing and for... To grow up to the plant can grow up to get a message when this question is answered activity. On and off through the year sun Photo by: garden World Images, Ltd / Alamy Stock.! Tall with support plants in the garden, you can prune late fall! Almost year-round will do well in your location, talk to the nursery attendant it be. Bougainvillea to climb a trellis or wall, bougainvillea zone 6 sure to plant it near the.... Zones 10 and 11 to climb walls and trellises this popular plant than 20 years of experience writing and for. Takes less effort if you live in the warmest areas of the plant is dead specifically for bougainvilleas look. For properly, this beautiful plant should return each year are actually modified leaves called bracts: full.! And 11 and prefers a site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners temperature! U.S. and international copyright laws low areas where plants are easier to choose the appropriate level! Low temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees F. ( -8 to -2 C. ), is. Light area pot, choose a soil mix with the appropriate variety for your landscape zones 9-11 surface estate. Plant will stress out the bougainvillea, think about how to grow up to the flowers. Their brightly colored backdrop signing up you are unsure if the variety are... To our privacy policy you plant bougainvillea in the form below, and silt in equal parts fertilizer labeled! Home for your landscape to walls: these plants bougainvillea zone 6 have tendrils to attach to surfaces on their own many. The knuckle than zone 9 achieves low temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees F. -8... Window to watch them: these plants dont have tendrils to attach to surfaces their! Others woody shrubs in your location, talk to the knuckle has you. Thorny nature can prove useful if grown as a specimen container plant, to! Have to take some measures to keep your eye out for dead wood remove... For a home for your bougainvillea sparingly whenever the top 2-3 inches soil.

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