\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Likewise, although most bougainvillea are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, there may be some exceptions. This 20 to 30 foot vine produces clusters of fiery orange blooms all summer setting the landscape alive with color. ", However, it began to wilt. Looking for a vibrant low-maintenance ground cover? Since bougainvilleas are tropical natives, make sure they get plenty of sun! Bougainvillea should be planted on higher ground or hillsides, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect. If you can't find a dedicated bougainvillea fertilizer, use a 10-10-10 general-purpose fertilizer. In areas colder than Zone 9, they are grown as annuals or container plants. Fiveleaf Akebia Zone: 5 - 9 Vigorous yet delicate-looking with bluish-green foliage and dangling stalks of chocolate-like, fragrant, deep purple flowers. "I brought a bougainvillea this year without any way of knowing how to care for it. For example, the lowest average temperature in Zone 2 is -50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the minimum average temperature in zone 10 is +30 to +40 degrees Fahrenheit. Because they have sharp thorns, locate them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity. To maintain your bougainvillea's shape, trim the branches back a few inches each year after it's finished blooming for the season. Bougainvillea'Barbara Karst' In the garden, this plant performs best when the temperature is at least 60F, and it tolerates temperatures as high as 95F. Hopefully, I will get favorable results this summer. The biggest threat to bougainvillea plants in the garden is the appropriately named bougainvillea caterpillar. The best way to keep your bougainvillea healthy is to keep the foliage and area around the plant dry and allow good air flow. If you are starting your bougainvillea indoors then you might be able to get away with starting them a couple of weeks earlier. It reaches heights of 3 to 6 feet with an equal spread. Rich gold-colored flower-like bracts that age to a lovely pink. Flowering Vines Approved. Planted near a wall or a trellis, bougainvillea can rapidly cover the surface in a burst of bright bracts. Bougainvillea vines show their color on new growth, and frequent pinching will not only encourage fuller growth, but also more color. Join 50,000+ GARDEN LOVERS from around the world! Winterizing a bougainvillea also includes watering practices and suspension of fertilizer. Plus, it should drain fast: these plants dont like to say wet for long. But cold is another story. James Walker produces reddish-purple blooms with a delicate white center and blooms nearly all year. To grow bougainvillea, plant it in full sun, slightly acidic and well-drained soil, and a relatively hot and dry climate. If you see leaves that have been munched on, you can treat the plant with a control such Bacillus Thuringiensis. In these zones, gardeners can grow bougainvillea outside year-round. It is important to let the top 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6cm) of soil dry out before watering. The bracts are large, crinkled ovals in brilliant shades of rose and purple. 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. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This bougainvillea produces masses of magenta blooms on 20 to 30 foot vines. Bougainvilleas dont like low temperatures. If you have been to Spain, Greece, or Portugal, you might have seen these bright flowering plants growing lush and adding a splash of color to buildings and dry areas. Avoid over-watering bougainvillea; this can prevent flowering and at the worst can cause rot, decay, and destruction of the plant. The watering and maintaining tips are very useful. It can be shaped into hedges, upright bushes or as a "standard," a one-trunk, flowering tree. If you're planting the bougainvillea in a pot, choose a soil mix with the appropriate pH level. As the leaves begin to brown, remove them to help the plant conserve moisture. At this point, it may be best to replace the plants and start over. Even warm regions like Texas can experience some pretty sustained freezes and, in some cases, snow and ice. However, you may have to pay attention to the winter: to let your plant survive cold temperatures, make sure you adequately protect it. If you're thinking of planting a bougainvillea in your garden, be sure to allow plenty of room for it to spread and grow; some varieties reach 40 feet. 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. Bougainvillea can also be used in containers and trained as a shrub or sprawling groundcover. The bracts are the real showstoppers and come in shades of red, purple, magenta, hot pink, light pink, orange, apricot and white. Dig the planting hole wide enough so that the roots arent crowded and can establish easily. Slide the bougainvillea out of the container with the pot turned on its side. It produces creamy white bracts and blooms from early spring through summer and grows to heights of 1 to 3 feet with a 2-foot spread. Because these plants don't have tendrils, they need some coaxing, but no training is necessary as a hanging basket plant. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. These plants, native to Central and South America, are a common sight in Texas, Southern California, Florida, and Arizona. On most years you should be prepared to experience lows near 0F. If you live in the right climate, few climbing plants are easier to grow than bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.).