Bougainvilleas

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Bougainvilleas are a tropical and subtropical colorful vine. They are thorny, evergreen and some are fragrant. Bougainvilleas are popular for their large, colorful “blooms” which are produced most profusely in the summer. Like the dogwood and the poinsettia, their colorful “petals” are really bracts (modified leaves.)

Bougainvilleas are vigorous and respond well to pruning and as a result they often are utilized as hedges in more tropical climates. They thrive in almost any soil type that does not stay constantly wet. Bougainvillea can be successfully grown in landscapes (depending on climate, northerners should treat them as an annual), greenhouses (any hobby house will do) and in container gardens (anywhere.) Whether indoor or outdoor bougainvilleas love sunlight and well drained soil.

Bougainvillea Varieties Available:

Barbara Karst
Blueberry Ice
California Gold
Elizabeth Angus
James Walker
Juanita Hatten
Helen Johnson
Imperial Thai Delight
Miami Pink
Ms Alice
New River
Orange Ice
Rasberry Ice
Silhouette
Sundown Orange
Vanilla Ice

Bougainvillea Care

Water and Soil

Bougainvillea will thrive in almost any well-drained and fertile soil.
DO NOT OVERWATER!
Increase waterings in warmer times of the year, but remember to decrease waterings as temperatures cool and days become shorter.
Remember during the summer heat plants will use up water quickly, so inspect often.

Light

For the best results put your bougainvilleas in full sun. If you want good blooming give them at least 5 hours a day of full sunlight as a minimum. More hours of direct sun is better. Less than 5 hours and the plant may not bloom very well. Your plants will thrive in shade or partial shade, but only have nice growth with little or no blooms.
Don't expect your bougainvillea to flower indoors. If possible, keep your plant outdoors and give it the maximum sun exposure. Any flowering you may receive indoors is a bonus.

Temperature

Bougainvilleas are hardy throughout the South but young growth will be damaged by frost. Optimum growing temperatures are warm days (70-85of) and cool nights(60-70of).
A light frost will not kill the plant, but you can soon expect all the leaves and bracts to fall off. In this case, the plant will regrow if not subjected to more frosts for longer duration.

Fertilizer

Bougainvillea can be heavy feeders. Here is some quick fertilizer tips:
High phosphorus with micronutrients, as well as additional iron and magnesium.
Slow or timed release fertilizers are acceptable. Make sure you follow the fertilizer label.
Plants grow best with small amounts of nutrients constantly available.
Do not apply fertilizers to dry soil - Do not overfertilize - in this case less is better than more.

How to use Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea do well in hanging baskets, container gardens, pots, landscapes (annuals in the north) and groundcovers, hedges and bushes in the south.
When you receive your plants they may look a little “tired.” Don't worry, give the plants a good drink and they'll come right back out in about 3 to 4 weeks and usually full of flowers.