Big, bold and blooming beautiful, bougainvillaeas – or ‘bougs’ – have it all.
Their flamboyant flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, orange, gold, and white burst onto the scene in summer and last well into autumn, giving your garden glorious seasonal displays of colour and drama.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Plant bougainvilleas in full sun for the best flowering. They can grow in part shade, but will produce fewer flowers.
- Choose well-draining soil and water regularly while the plant establishes.
- Once established, bougainvilleas are fairly drought tolerant.
- Feed in spring and autumn with a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in potassium
- Prune after flowering to keep vigorous varieties under control. For pots or small spaces, choose a compact Bambino or Sundevillea variety.
How to grow bougainvilleas
Can you grow bougainvillaeas in pots?
These exuberant climbing plants are ideal for covering large areas, but due to their scrambling nature, they need to be pruned regularly.
If you don’t have the time to tame them, compact forms like Sundevillea and Bambino bougainvillaeas grow between 1-1.5 m tall, making them perfect for tubs, hanging baskets, or as small specimen plants in garden beds.
Why you should consider bambino bougs
You won’t be disappointed with the range of colour Bambino bougs have to offer. There are more than 20 striking colours and a few even have variegated leaves – what a bonus! Ensure you plant in full sun and don’t overwater – this will help encourage heavy flowering.
The beautiful vase-shape habit of Sundevillea makes them ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets. Unlike regular bougs, they don’t need a trellis or support – just trim lightly after flowering to help maintain their compact shape.
Baby bougainvilleas
Sundevillea
Available in three vibrant colours – rose, cream and pink – Sundevillea bougainvilleas flower early in the season and continually bloom throughout summer. They can reach 1m high and wide, which means they are ideal for growing in pots or small garden beds.
Bambino bougs
Bred and developed in Australia, Bambino bougs are available in an extensive range of bright and beautiful colours including shades of purple, pink, orange, red and white. They grow to 1.5m high and wide, so they’re great for hedges or trimming into standards. You can also find a few ‘mini’ Bambino bougs that only grow 30-40cm, meaning they’re perfect for growing as groundcovers or in hanging baskets.
How do I grow bougainvilleas
Climate
Bougainvilleas grow like weeds up north, but in colder areas it’s not always been so easy. Pick the right variety and bougs now grow just about anywhere.
Like bougainvilleas, dwarf bougs grow best in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate frost-free zones. They can also grow in cooler climates and tolerate light frost – the foliage tends to drop during the cooler months, but will produce new leaves come spring.
Aspect
Plant in full sun and protect from strong winds when young. You can also grow them in part shade, but there will be fewer flowers and larger leaves.
Soil
These bougs are adaptable to most soils, provided it is well-draining and has been enriched with organic matter prior to planting. If planting in pots, use a good-quality potting mix.
Water
Keep watering regularly until established, when bougainvilleas will be quite drought tolerant. However, they will benefit from a deep watering in hotter months. Reduce during cooler months, but ensure soil does not dry out.
Fertiliser
Feed plants with a controlled- release fertiliser that is low in nitrogen and high in potassium, such as Osmocote Plus Trace Elements – Pots, Planters & Indoors, or Yates Thrive Flower and Fruit. This will help promote flowering instead of leaf growth. Apply fertiliser in spring and autumn.
Maintenance
The trick to beautiful bougs is to keep them warm, protect from winter frosts, fertilise several times a year, and cut back after flowering.
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