What makes them so striking to me (besides the stunning bright pink blooms) are that they are so wild and lanky! Bougainvilleas can produce two or three beautiful displays of flowers in spring, summer and fall. I live in zone 7a, so I would not leave it out. Fantastic!!! But I recently discovered that her roots have grown out of the drainage holes and drilled between the pavers of my patio. You can give them a light pruning after their 1st big flush of flowers has occurred. Be sure to check our other bougainvillea posts for more info: https://www.joyusgarden.com/category/bougainvillea/ Nell. He also transplanted some to grow along the fence line along the front perimeter of the yard…I think as a deterrent for fence climbers? These are excellent plants for adding lush color into water-wise gardens, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular here in Southern California! I plant bougies in pots by themselves but annuals might be your best bet. That’s a crap shoot also. Will you share the name of the bougainvillea that is orange/pink in color (like the photo above)? plz advice how big should be my plastic pot to grow bougainvillea to cover my 120 inch balcony iron grill. This means the rim of the grow pot might stick up a bit. Nell. 2). I know bougainvilleas grow in Hong Kong & do quite well. They get full sun and growing nicely. Even though the plants are tough, the roots are fairly fragile & brittle. My husband brought two hanging baskets home for me today. Nell. I am extremely new to gardening and would like to keep the little guy alive. I live in Ohio and I brought my 3 pots inside last winter before the nights got too cold. 05/21/2017. Any advice would be much appreciated!! Thanks again for your great advice. All the Leaves fall off and it takes a while to recover but it bloomes just beautiful lnside all Winter. You won’t get much if any flowering at this time. Gardenias & bougainvilleas require different growing conditions. My sister Janet in Cincinnati was featured a few months ago and has been encouraging me to also submit pictures. Skip to Main Content Things You Need To Know About Bougainvillea Plant Care, Bougainvillea Pruning Tips: Everything You Need To Know, https://www.joyusgarden.com/category/bougainvillea/, https://www.joyusgarden.com/care-growing-tips-bougainvillea/, https://www.joyusgarden.com/categories/#bougainvillea, Bougainvillea Care: Growing Tips for this Flowering Machine, Bougainvillea Plant Care: Everything You Need to Know, Bougainvillea Secrets: Sharing All I Know About This Colorful Plant, Bougainvillea After A Hard Freeze, Part 1. Bougainvillea flower drop can be caused by temperatures that are lower than those the plant is used to. Bougainvillea can be grown as bonsai or in hanging baskets. On most years you should be prepared to experience lows near 0°F. Bougainvillea doesn’t like to be kept sopping wet & is subject to rot. Bougainvillea can take full sun & heat without skipping a beat. Bougainvilleas don’t like to have their roots keep soaking wet because it can ultimately lead to root rot. © 2020 Joy Us Garden | Care, Propagation, and Pruning About | Contact | PRIVACY POLICYDesign By Viva la Violet, Mother Nature Inspired Christmas Ornaments, « How I Potted My Staghorn Fern To Grow In The Desert, Getting 2 Plants From 1: Dividing And Planting A Foxtail Fern ». They get 7 hours of sun everyday; they mostly look dead but it did bloom a month ago but only for a couple if weeks only at the ends of the branches. BTW I’m in middle Tennessee, not sure how our winters will affect my bougies. Please help! You want the level of the soil of the rootball to be even with the level of the soil you’re planting it into. Here are two different colors growing together to form a huge hedge about 5 feet tall. All the best! While most bloom in the summer and early fall, others bloom in the spring. Hi Nell, We just moved down to Florida from Boston and just had to buy a bougainvillea. It’s very important that the soil mix is loose & well draining so the roots don’t stay water logged. Do I water it more or less? Nell, Hi MM – The low bougainvilleas spread & take over a pot. Nell. Happy Summer! However, after reading more online, it seems that bougs can’t handle freezing temps. Yes it could. I have 4 bougainvilleas, which is plenty for me, and don’t actually plant one in either this post or video. You’ll see why after below. Report. Thanks! Since I didn’t prune them and just brought them inside for the winter, I didn’t touch them all winter. Other details: Unknown - Tell us. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies will stop by often. The plant usually produces three rounds of vibrant blooms in spring, summer and autumn. Loosen the soil on the bottom of the hole to make sure the water will drain out. Oh, I love to create so you’ll find a bit of that in the mix along with lots of videos too. Hi – Repotting a bougainvillea can be a crapshoot because they don’t like to have their roots disturbed. As it has now turned to 100F my plant keeps wilting in the afternoon sun. Planting a bougainvillea is not that hard, but you will need to take some of the plant’s growing habits into consideration first. When should I give them their first pruning? I’ve never grown bougainvilleas indoors so I don’t have too much to share on that. I love the look of them trained into a sort of tree and would like to try it, but the spot I’d like to put it has really shallow soil, so I’m thinking I should keep it in a pot, but I’m worried about how sensitive they are and how it would eventually outgrow the pot. Also, the shorter growing varieties are much better suited to growing in containers. How often depends on the size of the plant, the soil its in &  your climate zone. If you repot, the best thing to do is leave it in that pot, cut slits in the sides & repot the whole thing. How to grow bougainvillea. Nell. Here’s how to care for it: https://www.joyusgarden.com/care-growing-tips-bougainvillea/ Nell, Hi Susanne – I don’t fertilize mine & in general they don’t need it. I’m not sure where you live, but some bougies are semi-deciduous or fully deciduous in the winter. Bloom Size: Unknown - Tell us. Would pruning it way back help? Nell, Hi Maddie – You’re welcome! Okay to do? Could overwatering be the problem? Cuttings column on bougainvillea and yucca; photo (M) Soso is an annual plant, and it looks worth trying in Pennsylvania if I can find a source for the seeds. Luckily it seems to have settled in despite the trauma of being transplanted and I can see lots of new growth coming out in the last couple of days. The soil was soaking wet when I got it. Flame of Jamaica, a.k.a. However, if a young plant has been raised in a warm, humid climate or a greenhouse, bougainvillea flower drop can happen even in Zone 9. Lithops are unique, stone-like succulent plants with a very low watering requirement. Pamela Singer . I planted them 2 weeks ago. I bought a Vera deep purple 4 days ago but to my despair it is constantly shedding its beautiful flowers. Happy gardening & thanks for stopping by. I live in Ohio and I brought my 3 pots inside last winter before the nights got too cold. However, it’s a big baby when it comes to the roots & doesn’t like to have them disturbed. Browse more videos. Maybe 3 ft tall at most, Tess – It could be: the light is too low, transplant stress, not enough water, or too much water. I am posting this again because I am not sure if you received it the first time (June 3, 2018). Bougainvilleas love to grow in full sun exposure, in fact, they love the heat and can become extremely drought tolerant with low to moderate watering needs once established. The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Pittsburgh is April. Nell, Thank you Ding! They need regular waterings (not shallow) to get established. Hi Ana – You can amend as you need to in your area. It is kept indoors on my window sill. Bloom Color: Pink. winter season is the best season for purchase of bougainvillea plant as we can see the flowers and choose the different flower colour bougainvillea plant\r \r join facebook group\r link :-\r. I went to work 2 days a week at a highly esteemed nursery in Berkeley to learn about plants and gardening practices in that part of the world. This post may contain affiliate links. Uses As a climbing vine, it should either be planted near a fence, trellis or other landscape structure where it can be trained to grow upwards on it, or allowed to trail off a retaining wall or slope. Initially all the flowers fell off. We got it at Home Depot complete with trellis. LOL This past winter I trimmed it down, as a guy at a nursery said I could do. I always top my container planting with a 1-2″ layer of the compost, again for extra good measure. Of course prep is very important and that you’ll see in the shrub video. many, many thanks! Not knowing where you live, I’d just leave it alone for now & see what it does. First of all, make sure you’re planting it in a sunny, warm location. I am fascinated by these flowers and I would love to see my newly bought boug flourish just like those from proper climates such as Greece. Clematis is as close as we can get. Here’s are bougainvilleas category for more info: https://www.joyusgarden.com/categories/#bougainvillea And yes, they are wild childs! 3). Bougainvillea is a very common plant in tropics. I am wondering if the roots are now too tight and near the edge of the hanging pot. She is towering but I see a few errant yellow leaves… I want to help her but don’t know what to do. Flame of Jamaica. What type of fertilizer? I'm unable to find any pictures of bougainvillea's that have this in them. So, the soil needs to be well drained. Bougainvillea is a hardy tropical vine that grows in areas where winter temperatures remain above 30 degrees F. (-1 C.). Even though their root systems aren’t extremely extensive, they do need room to grow. He’s gone now. Growing Bougainvillea. I remember my mother often bought a nice hanging planter of this pretty vine for the summer. Nell, Hi Nell! Haha! I live in northern Ontario Canada I bought a Bogenvilla tree (small) at lowes 4 years ,actually 2 I plant one in the ground and I leave one in the Pot. How do I know for sure if the plant is dead? I never use fertilizer on bougainvillea but sometimes compost if they look like they need it. Nell. Nell. Can they recover? In the Spring I do it all again and it is a showstopper. six months with blooming? I’ve been watering them every 2 days. A rich, loamy soil is ideal. I planted it a month ago and they are still fairly small vines. This method allows the roots to grow out of the pot but also protects the rootball. I like the low growing bougainvilleas for pots because they root systems stay smaller too. Clematis is as close as we can get. The bougainvillea is a tropical vine whose bright, vibrant flowers positively glow in the landscape. It’s B. Rainbow Gold. How to Grow Bougainvillea: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow She says, “One of the first things I do everyday is check out your latest garden. Sedum. This plant has started growing in my bougainvillea and there's some debate going on in the house whether it is a weed, or part of the bougainvillea, perhaps the male part. You’ll get the most important points and can refer to how to plant a shrub successfully to actually see the steps to take. The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Pittsburgh is April. Thanks! Some research led me to you. Just like planting a shrub, dig the hole at least 2 times as wide as the rootball. Would gardenias be ok to plant in the same planter? Sorry to ask so many questions but I would really like to keep them healthy and beautiful and I’m a little lost. Nell. I stored them in my garage all winter and didn’t prune them. Your email address will not be published. HELP!! Cultivation. What can I plan in the same extra large planter with my bougainvillea? Here are some of the bets agave varieties you can grow 2. Thank you for the wonderful on your website. You can not plant bougainvillea until after the last frost because they require warm weather. Nell. My wife picked out a pale pink with a kind of long petals. Azaleas in areas such as California and Southern Europe will suffer if they are in full sun. Choose the location carefully because bougainvillea doesn’t like to be transplanted. I have had a bourganvilla in a pot now for about five years. And fair enough to… I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences and lacerations in dealing with them, mainly in a past life as professional gardening contractor where I’ve been asked to tame yet another bougie gone wild. When your bougainvillea is establishing, you’ll have to water it more frequently. Thanks again on the education! Wisterias like to grow in a sunny position, but the roots must be kept cool, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil is the preferred growing medium. Janet – In order to have them develop that fan form, I’d space them 6’+ apart. 12:33. It will be kept on a very sunny closed balcony, in a ceramic container. Planting a bougainvillea isn’t too much different than planting any other shrub or vine except for 1 key factor. They were huge!! 1 of my 4 bougies is in full bloom now, so no. Plant in question: Bougainvillea: identification shrubs weeds. How should i plant it, and what should i take care for planting it good. Oh yes, I learned that about Bougainvilleas many years ago & it’s served me well. Do I cut it out and repot? Hi Kathy – You can scrape the bark off a few branches at various heights & see if it looks fresh & alive. It is January!! Iron mixed with seaweed (you’re going for high nitrogen on those bracts) helps. I want to repot it into our bigger ceramic pot which has a drain hole. I like the contrast in this picture (sun/shade). I’m not familiar with the climate in middle TN so can’t help you there. There are no new leaves or flowers and no new growth. Please advise. The leaves are still on them but they are wilted and droopy. Just found your blog after buying a California Gold Bougainvillea! I know you don’t fertilizer your bougainvillea but should i be fertilizing mine while they are being established? I planted two boganvelia shrubs and made the big mistake of watering them too much for the first 5 months then when I learned; I stopped watering them. Bougainvilleas are hard at all but they do need conditions to their favor. Since I didn’t prune them and brought them inside for the winter, I didn’t touch them all winter. It’s a large rectangle planter with the bougainvillea at one end of the planter.. Hi Nancy – It’s probably pot bound, depending on what variety & type of bougie it is. thank you so much for this as I just bought one today. On top of it all, hurricane Eta nearly drowned her and she’s not draining because the roots are blocking the holes (I’m guessing). Azaleas can grow in full sun in mild, temperate climates that typically have more cloud cover and less intense sun. I’ve just purchased and planted a gorgeous bougy (full sun for 6-7+ hrs/day) but now I’m afraid it won’t make it through next winter. Or will I just eventually need to repot it and end up killing it most likely? Dig it up in the Fall before the Frost hits and take it inside. But it … Nell. However, Hong Kong can get quite a lot of rain and humidity, so I am just wondering how best to care for it in these conditions? Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies will stop by often. Love your posts as they are so helpful to a beginner gardener like myself! Nell. I bought a bougie two years ago and potted her in a big pot for my patio in Tampa, Fl. Another reason to plant your bougainvillea properly – the massive show of color you’ll get. Bougainvillea are pretty tolerant of drought and will grow in hardiness zones 9 and above. Hi Nell – December 28, 2013. Phil Dudman. HUGE SALE PRICES REDUCED STOREWIDE SALE Viburnum odoratissimum 300mm pots Great Hedging or Screening FAST GROWING Berrigans Rd Nursery 34 Berrigans Rd Mudgeeraba GOLD COAST PHONE 55 302 577 Open 7 days Mon to Sat 8am to 4pm Sunday 9am to 3pm 34 berrigans road Mudgeraba QLD on the gold coast we also have a large nursery feel free to come and have a look at our large selection … We have nothing that approaches that level of performance and variety in our vine arsenal. The zone info helps tell us things like average date of last frost and lowest expected temperature for our area. This attribute makes them one of the best plants for newbie gardeners. Bougainvilleas grow best outdoors in warm locations such as zone 9 or higher. I just bought three torch glows and am wondering how far apart should i plant them? Nell. However azaleas will require partial shade in climates with intense sun as full sun can lead to sun burnt leaves and increase the risk of drought. If you do, leave it in the grow pot. I need help with my attempt at these lovely plants. Can be grown as a houseplant. It’s best to plant/repot them in their grow pots or pots. Generally, bougainvillea plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and above. Nell. If you don’t do this 1 thing, it’s a crapshoot as to whether your bougainvillea will do well or even survive. They’ve recovered beautifully. Maybe you’ve planted one, taken it out of the pot, and it’s done just fine. I just bought my first two bougies!so excited! However, you really should wait until May if you don't want to take any chances. Thank you for helping us spread the word & make the world a more beautiful place! I probably should have watered them. Bougainvillea Like palms, bougainvilleas are another icon of toasty climates. Possibly ok, but a risky time to plant bougainvillea, Probably not a good time to plant bougainvillea. One is starting to lose its flowers…what is going on? HI Nell.. i am in Delhi, India. Thank you! Hi Anna – Bougainvilleas are very resilient except when it comes to freezing temperatures & having their roots disturbed. But while driving to our hotel in Hawaii, I was amazed at the size of the Bougainvillea. I live in Northern California (santa rosa) in zone 9b. We have nothing that approaches that level of performance and variety in our vine arsenal. Just know that the bigger the bougie gets, the bigger the pot you’ll need. The mere mention of ‘bougainvillea’ can send many gardeners into an immediate state of panic. It could also be a reaction to being moved (perhaps going to a lower light or cooler environ) or it’s coincidentally nearing the end of its bloom cycle. Hi Pamela – You are certainly welcome! I had Lavender but it wasn’t being managed well and I believe was “chocking” the life out of the bougainvillea, so I moved the lavender to another planter. It hasn’t come back. How to plant bougainvillea to grow successfully: First of all, make sure you’re planting it in a sunny, warm location. I’m confused as to why it would say they’re hardy for my zone if my zone freezes and they don’t like that!?! Hi Vikki – Congratulations on keeping your indoor bougainvillea thriving & flowering; in London no less! If you have an unusual cold snap, a newly planted bougainvillea (say in late fall) is much more likely to get hit &/or not recover. My questions are 1). Bougainvillea are surprisingly easy to grow, and their needs are minimal – full sun, well-drained soil and intermittent irrigation as they are drought tolerant. Happy gardening! Is it possible to keep it healthy like that? She’s done just well and flowered like mad last January. Planting & Growing How to plant grow and harvest basil An attractive garden plant that’s easy to grow and is an essential ingredient in a multitude of dishes. For zones lower than 9, move them indoors to a garage or greenhouse over winter. Give it as much sun as possible, don’t keep it too wet, back off on the watering in winter & rotate it every now & then so it gets sun from all sides. The average date of last frost is April 15 in Pittsburgh. I’ve found that some varieties are more floriferous than others. And boy did I learn a lot! Any later than that and your bougainvillea may not have a chance to grow to maturity. Since half of the time in Pittsburgh we get surprised by a frost after April 15 be ready to protect your bougainvillea if we have a surprise late frost. However, bougainvillea is not as cold hardy as agapanthus but you … Mine is a house plant in winter, and patio in summer. Required fields are marked *. Since they bloom on new wood, John shows where to prune to promote flowers between resting cycles. That’s basil! Depending on the size of the initial pot, you will probably eventually need to repot it which bougies aren’t crazy about. I’ve maintained many bougainvilleas, and I’ve planted many of them. I have a question about my bougainvillea. can the Bougainvillea be left in the yard thru the winter or do you need o bring the house? Please help! My mother lived in Sonoma for 14 years & I think the winter are slightly cooler there. I didn’t read your post when I planted it, so I cut the grow pot and took the plant out, and planted it in a big ceramic container. The last one, was watered too much, I’m sure because I planted it near my vegetable garden to make sure it was watered well, as I thought underwatering was what killed the other two, I lasted about 3 years, but it was barely a living stick with tiny leaves on it. Either way, just be very careful not to cut too deeply into the root ball. Mine was beautiful when I bought it, flowers fell off and haven’t had blooms since. Just know that you’ll probably have to water your bougainvilleas in containers more than you would if they’re in the ground. I always cut it off as needed because I look the look much better. When I moved to California from New England back in the early 80’s, it opened up a whole new world to me in so many ways. I have a question about my bougainvillea. How and when will I know a new planted bougainvillea is established? Bougainvillea spectabilis can grow in hardiness zones 10-11, preferring full sun , dry conditions, and fertile soil. It depends on the length of the freeze & how low the temps go – hard to predict. The frequency will be increased as the weather heats up. Hello Nell, That’s basil! Danger: Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling. This Year not so mutch too mutch Rain.thanks for all the info. Nell. Theresa in Sudbury Canada, Hi Theresa – Thank you for sharing. It is now growing in a sunny part of the roof and I hope to see some new flowers soon. I just wanted to share with you this 1 important thing to know when planting bougainvillea. I have bought several and I have one thrived and grew huge, it didn’t bloom as much, but I had it in the front yard and I used to call it “the Whomping Willow” as people got attack by it as they past it up. This means that on a really cold year, the coldest it will get is -5°F. Nell, you are a real gem. After all, I want your bougainvillea to grow, thrive and flower like crazy! Where to Grow: Can be grown as an annual. How do I know when they are established? I trimmed it after reading your post to encourage new growth. You can find clematises that will thrive in zones 4 t0 9. Before I could transplant it again, it finally died. There is nothing quite like a bougainvillea in full bloom. Flowering blossoms come in stunning colors ranging from stark white, to hot pink, with pink-purples and reds in between. I am ready to prune them and put them outside on my patio but I am not sure if they are still alive. She gets bigger and bigger and I want to transplant her but I don’t know where to start! It always grew back bigger than ever with tons of blooms. Is this unusual? Plants will go dormant in colder weather and should be watered sparingly. You can grow spectacular bougainvilleas (For Release On Or After 08/22/09) It would be hard to find a more dazzling, flowering tropical plant than the bougainvillea. Although they don’t like to stay wet, being potbound means the roots can’t take up any water. This sun-loving plant loves moist, well-drained soil, and it needs to be supported. Any later than that and your bougainvillea may not have a chance to grow to maturity. It can be propagated from stem and root cuttings. Bougainvilleas display a showy, elaborate array of bright flowers and foliage. As I said, it’s a crap shoot and one I’m not willing to take. The USDA zone info for Pittsburgh can be looked at to estimate when you can plant bougainvillea. Hi – It depends on what climate zone you’re growing it in. Today’s photos are from Sue Elicker in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Bougainvillea can be grown as a houseplant. Phil – In general, I considered plants to be established at roughly the 1-3-year mark. I have tried to bonsai it. Put a few slits in the side & bottom of the pot, being careful not to slash too deeply into the rootball. The last month that you can plant bougainvillea and expect a good harvest is probably August. Starting your bougainvillea indoors is a great way to get them started a few weeks earlier. We do get some freezing nights in the winter, but it’s usually just a quick snap of an hour, rarely 2-3 hours. Recently planted (2 )15 gallon and (3) 3 gallon bougainvillea on a trellis against my garage. Wish me luck! Hi, I am in desperate need of some advice. This is where I first discovered bougainvillea and found out about this 1 important thing to know which came directly from the grower. Wait until the weather warms & gradually cut back the branches & see if the shrubs grow back. Jan – Of course. Bougainvillea spectabilis is native to Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Chubut Province, Argentina, but it has been introduced in many other areas. A little hummer enjoying my “Rainbow Gold”. Hi Brian – You’re most welcome! The last month that you can plant bougainvillea and expect a good harvest is probably August. Nell, I planted two of them at my Arizona house. Bougainvillea needs sun & heat to thrive & be a blooming machine. Once planted and established, a bougainvillea can be an eye-catching wonder. Bougainvillea are popular ornamental plants in most areas with warm climates, such as Florida and South Carolina, and across the Mediterranean Basin.. share | improve this question | follow | asked Jan 24 '16 at 18:29. I would love to have some response to my query and also some tips on how to keep it going. Here’s a care post I did: https://www.joyusgarden.com/care-growing-tips-bougainvillea/ Nell, Hi Rhonda – I’m glad you found us! Check out our article on growing lithops here 3. Should I just leave it alone? You can read our policies here. I live in Hong Kong where the climate is sub-tropical and can be very hot and humid during the summer. It hasn’t done this in past summers. Delta Dawn flowers all season long, is easy to grow with minimal needs - full sun, well-drained soil and intermittent irrigation as they are drought tolerant. There are no new leaves or flowers and no new growth. You may not need to supplementally water it much at all if you get a lot of rain. I’m glad you found this post because now your bougie will settle in happily & not go through any shock. Hi Nell, I live in San Antonio TX. I just bought 2 small, beautiful bougainvilleas and found this before I planted them. Hi Nell, I am so thankful I found this site. It won’t hurt the plant at all but I never wanted to see a rim of plastic in the garden. Bougainvillea can be pruned and trained to grow in containers. Can they recover? I was excited when I read that bougs are hardy in zones 9b-11. Mix in compost at a ratio of 1/4 as the potting soil should already have compost in it. These are colorful vines that ramble or climb 20 feet or more and bloom for long periods in a wide range of colors, both pastel and bright. I grew up in SoCal and they are everywhere!! If they live through summer, I am going to take them in for the winter. I do compost them every couple of years as a means of feeding. Spring or summer is a great time to plant your bougainvillea because that gives it plenty of time to settle in before winter comes. My grandparents had some on the side of the guest house. Hopefully I can learn from you and get mine growing this summer season. Geoffreycrellin28. I’m tickled pink to have you here! Nell, […] How To Plant Bougainvillea To Grow Successfully […], Your email address will not be published. Little did I know that it actually grows into a huge shrub in Hawaii. With a little patience and care, bougainvillea can be trained to climb and drape itself over walls, trellises or around and over pergolas. This Spring I had a beautiful bloom. Bougainvillea Like palms, bougainvilleas are another icon of toasty climates. Hi Tori – As I said, some have luck moving bougainvilleas & some don’t. This is 1 of the reasons you want to successfully plant your bougainvillea – hummingbirds & butterflies love them! This time I am leaving them in the pot, and planting in a sunny location against the fence that borders my and my neighbor’s yards. I always keep a 2-3″ layer of compost on top for good measure. Plant them in the grow pots (with slits) & refer to this post: https://www.joyusgarden.com/care-growing-tips-bougainvillea/ I find the pruning & the sweeping (they make my patios a colorful mess) are well worth it. Nell, Hi Angel – I now live in Tucson which is also zone 9b & have 4 bougies. This is all about how to plant bougainvillea to grow successfully. I always amend in the ratio of 1/3 local organic compost to 2/3 native soil when planting bougainvillea. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0557a1e4de06332e9d1759086b7d189" );document.getElementById("a80f2df6e4").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi, I’m Nell, and this is where I celebrate all things garden and share my passion for plants, flowers and the great outdoors. 1:04. The Only Shrubs You Need to Grow. We can expect an average low temperature of -5°F in the coldest months of winter. They do like it warm & on the dry side, so water only when the soil has completely dried out. How to Grow Bougainvillea Bonsai tree | Grow thick trunk in the ground // Mammal Bonsai . I bought a bougainvillea two weeks ago to put on my rooftop. As I said, it’s a crap shoot. Hi Alok – It depends on the variety of bougainvillea you’re planting, the size the plant is & the size grow pot that it’s in. they are blooming and nothing has looked bad. So far, I’ve got 5 new bougainvillea for about a month and seem to be doing well. Any idea in what to do? And, a lot depends on climate conditions. It would appreciate a fertilizing in spring & then again in mid-summer. Speaking of watering, bougainvillea prefers infrequent, deep waterings rather than frequent shallow waterings. The colorful parts are actually modified leaves called bracts. Jamaican poinsettia. I’ll just tell you that bougies can’t take more than 2-3 nights below 30F. I have had a big for 4 yrs in a hanging pot. They are not big plants. We live mid Missouri, zone 5. Since the USDA zone info for Pittsburgh is just an average our actual date of last frost is different every year. I have killed 4 previously, about one a year. No direct sun in winter. Thank you for all this valuable information Nell ,I will give my bougainvillea from cuttings a good home in Iquitos Peru [the middle of the Amazon jungle ].I am going to see what deep purple and brilliant orange bougainvillea do kind of interwoven together.I will take a picture and send it to you . I am ready to prune them and put them outside on my patio but I am not sure if they are still alive. Playing next. Although it is frost-sensitive and hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b and 10, bougainvillea can be used as a houseplant or hanging basket in cooler climates. The smaller growing varieties are great in pots. I love purple & orange together; so yes, please send a picture when they bloom to: info@joyusgardem.com. However, you really should wait until May if you don't want to take any chances. Oo-La-La® Bougainvillea will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Nell. John Dromgoole’s got the tips, including watering, soil, and pruning. Make sure the soil mix drains well. Your cost for the products will be no higher but Joy Us garden receives a small commission. Hi Rick – Yes, bougainvilleas (especially the lower growing varieties 10′ & under) do great in pots. Bougainvillea needs sun & heat to thrive & be a blooming machine. I stored them in my garage all winter and didn’t prune them. Whether you cut that off or not is up to you. Too much water = too much green growth & eventually rot. It can grow up to 20-feet tall, but many varieties stay much shorter, and some clematises can even be grown in a pot. One of the best tools that we have as gardeners to help us estimate our gardening schedule is the USDA zone info. California Gold Bougainvilleas can eventually grow to 25′ tall. It is a sturdy perennial with lovely paper like flowers. The true flowers are small and white. For best planting results, be sure to leave your bougainvillea in the grow pot when planting it. It seems to be thriving and is at the moment covered with gorgeous bright pink blooms. Planting & Growing How to plant grow and prune bougainvillea If you’re looking for a plant with vibrant colours to bring a tropical look to your garden, then you can’t go past bougainvillea. I used a sharp florist knife to demo the slitting of the grow pot. Lindsay – It’s hard to say when they’ll be established because that basically happens underground. Lithops. You can also use your pruners or saw. ;-O The branches are still very firm and hard. They got hit this year by 1 night below 30F – just light damage though.