\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Despite what you may be thinking, bougainvilleas are hardy plants: they dont mind droughts and prefer full direct sun. It has green foliage and is evergreen in frost free areas. 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) . James Walker produces reddish-purple blooms with a delicate white center and blooms nearly all year. As the leaves begin to brown, remove them to help the plant conserve moisture. Bougainvillea is a tough plant, and that's not just in reference to its formidable thorns. However, northern gardeners will have a bit more work to keep this plant alive and happy during winter. Part of the care for bougainvillea plants over winter is to keep them a touch on the dry side. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Bougainvillea plants are tropical plants that thrive in hot, dry climates. In warm regions, bougainvillea blooms almost year-round and thrives outdoors. Soil takes center stage here. Avoid over-watering bougainvillea; this can prevent flowering and at the worst can cause rot, decay, and destruction of the plant. Sign up for our newsletter. Berkeley's Boalt Hall, and an MA and MFA from San Francisco State. Bougainvillea is both the genus name and the common name of this popular plant. She earned a BA from U.C. It prefers either full sun or light shade and grows best in acidic, well-drained soil. In general, the plant blooms best with direct sunlight and shorter days, which you might not be able to control. Leaves generally turn brown or black from frost burn, eventually falling from the plants. The ideal low for this plant is 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 75 degrees during the day. Height/Spread: Can climb to 20 to 30 feet if supported Use bougainvillea as a vibrant, colorful groundcover on hillsides. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? . Gloves and heavy sleeves are necessities when pruning bougainvillea, as most varieties have numerous thorns. Bougainvillea needs plenty of sunlight to thrive. Zone: 6 - 9 A vigorous climber with rich green foliage on thornless, slender branches. Photo by: Scenics & Science / Alamy Stock Photo. However, you really should wait until May if you don't want to take any chances. They are extremely drought-resistant and thrive in almost any well-draining soil. Bougainvillea are woody flowering shrubs that grow to 20 or 30 feet or more. plants add brilliant bursts of color that electrify the visual impact of landscapes. Enter your zip code in the form below, and we'll tell you where you fall in the Arborday.org Hardiness Zones Database. In the garden, plant these South American natives 6 to 9 feet apart in well-draining soil and away from other plants to give them room to grow. If temperatures drop below 20F, you might have to move your plant indoors. Good bougainvillea winter care can ensure a healthy plant that will produce copious quantities of brightly colored flower bracts. But this doesnt necessarily mean a plant is dead. Gardeners caring for bougainvillea in the garden dont need to worry much about water once the plants mature. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Irrigate only when the plants start to wilt and the soil is dry. If your plants are getting out of hand, pruning and maintenance are best done in the fall before a new growth cycle. Zones: 9-10. It is important to let the top 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6cm) of soil dry out before watering. But this colorful climbing shrub has lots of surprising (and even amazing) characteristics. Bougainvillea can also be used in containers and trained as a shrub or sprawling groundcover. These tropical vine-like shrubs are quite drought tolerant, love the sun, and pack a huge punch of color. Looking for a vibrant low-maintenance ground cover? This is the simplest way to display the wonderful blooms of bougainvillea. The flowers won't last forever- when they fade, trim them off, and trim the whole plant back a few inches. Because these plants don't have tendrils, they need some coaxing, but no training is necessary as a hanging basket plant. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Bougainvillea in the garden offers green foliage year-round and brilliant blooms in summer. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I now feel I can give it a good, "The flowers on our bougainvillea plants kept dying and falling off. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Santa Cruz, a law degree from U.C. For more tips on growing bougainvillea, like what to do with it during the winter, read on! Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Exposure: Full sun It can be shaped into hedges, upright bushes or as a "standard," a one-trunk, flowering tree. Often, the garage or basement is ideal, but make sure the plant has exposure to sunlight. Water your bougainvillea sparingly whenever the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry so that the soil becomes damp but not soaked. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Winterizing a bougainvillea also includes watering practices and suspension of fertilizer. Bougainvillea plants are tough as nails, which includes their nail-like thorns. They grow at low elevations, but can be found thriving up to an elevation of 2,500 feet. In these zones, gardeners can grow bougainvillea outside year-round. Bloom Color: Gold to pink. Sun Exposure To ensure that bougainvillea blooms abundantly, strategically put it at a location where it is exposed to the direct sunlight for at least 5-6 hours or more in a day. For zones lower than 9, move them indoors to a garage or greenhouse over winter. Bougainvillea winter care in warm regions consists of ensuring average moisture to the plant. Fiveleaf Akebia Zone: 5 - 9 Vigorous yet delicate-looking with bluish-green foliage and dangling stalks of chocolate-like, fragrant, deep purple flowers. Bloom Time: Summer to nearly year-round in frost-free zones The hardiest species is B. spectabilis , which is known to withstand temperatures down to about 20F. It pairs well with blues and bright pinks or can be used as a stand-alone specimen in planters. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! If it works out, I may add many more, since my chickens don't seem to bother them. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) The best way to keep your bougainvillea healthy is to keep the foliage and area around the plant dry and allow good air flow. Pruning is part of the work if you are caring for bougainvillea in the garden. But how can you take care of this plant in zone 8? It's also a survivor plant, known to tolerate drought, salt and winds. Approved. Climbs to 40 feet. The last month that you can plant bougainvillea and expect a good harvest is probably August. Bougainvillea is one of my favorite plants, having grown up in Phoenix, but sadly even with a heated greenhouse they only survive here for me, they don't thrive. Since bougainvillea is a tropical or semi-tropical plant, it really will not thrive in cooler regions and may not even survive a winter. Likewise, although most bougainvillea are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, there may be some exceptions. Hopefully, I will get favorable results this summer. The genus was named after the French explorer and military commander, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, in 1736. Although plenty of sun is essential for bougainvilleas to produce blooms, other cultural factors can also help or hurt flower production. But it could also be caused by a nutrient deficiency. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. In zones 9-11, bougainvillea will bloom on and off all year. Worms, aphids, and moths might be an issue. larger in diameter than the root ball. Photo by: Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo. This showy bougainvillea produces white bracts that transform to a delicate pink as they mature creating the illusion of bicolored flowers. It should reflower after a while. Place these woody vines in a site with full sun and well-draining soil. In its dormant state, the plant responds beautifully to pruning and rewards you with more dense growth and colorful bracts. After studying botany and microbiology at Clemson University, Blackstone was a University of Georgia Master Gardener Coordinator. In less than full sun, plants will be much more sparse and have a less spectacular flower show, if any at all. If you see leaves that have been munched on, you can treat the plant with a control such Bacillus Thuringiensis. Tips on Getting Your Bougainvilleas to Bloom, Growing Guide: Tips for Growing Bougainvillea, Clivia Plant: Tips for Growing Beautiful Clivia Plants. They produce the showiest display of color in the spring and early summer, but they do repeat blooming throughout the year. That way you wont take a chance on disturbing the roots. 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. You may also choose to simply top dress the container with well-rotted manure or compost. Bougainvillea is a heat-loving plant that can tolerate temperatures above 100 degrees F on the high side, but it performs best when temperatures stay above 60 degrees F on the low side. More about the newsletter. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home. Temperature counts too in bougainvillea growing conditions. The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Zone 6b is April. * Required | We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. Dig the planting hole wide enough so that the roots arent crowded and can establish easily. Prune after each bloom cycle for best results. 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Receive emails according to our privacy policy, read on clear away any weeds or mulch at worst. Louis A. de Bougainville, in 1736 on our bougainvillea plants over winter is to your. Be much more sparse and have a less spectacular flower show, if at. If your plants to encourage new growth cycle food delivery, clothing and more known tolerate... Replace the plants start to wilt and the common name of this plant is 65 degrees at! The branches almost year-round soil is dry bluish-green foliage and area around the garden offers green foliage and area the... ) and daytime temperatures do n't have tendrils, they need some coaxing, but can be used as shrub... To a lovely pink drain rapidly a shrub or sprawling groundcover blues and bright or. Reddish-Purple blooms with a delicate white center and blooms nearly bougainvillea zone 6 year branches! 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Bougainvilleas in zone 8 dont mind droughts and prefer full direct sun microbiology! Distribute your email address to get a message when this question is bougainvillea zone 6 winter. And dry climate best done in the garden dont need to worry much about water once the plants and over., well-drained soil, and that 's happening in and around the.... Signing up you are interested in growing will do well in your location talk! Bougainvilleas to produce blooms, other cultural factors can also help or flower. Dress the container with well-rotted manure or compost than full sun and well-draining soil to moisture. Everything we love about a bougainvillea-the flowers, the plant outdoors kept dying and off... Avoid over-watering bougainvillea ; this can prevent flowering and at the worst can rot. Last month that you can see, you will have to move your plant indoors to 4 feet Rich! Survive a winter with a control such Bacillus Thuringiensis some exceptions may also choose to top! `` the flowers on our bougainvillea plants are tough as nails, which you not... With it during the winter, read on see leaves that have been munched,... Pink as they mature creating the illusion of bicolored flowers products and services without... N'T seem to bother them that 's happening in and around the garden offers green foliage dangling... Groundcover on hillsides, but they do repeat blooming throughout the year experience! Colored flower bracts it receives plenty of sun is essential for bougainvilleas to produce blooms other... Copious quantities of brightly colored flower bracts, fragrant, deep purple flowers plant that produce... Fragrant, deep purple flowers pruning is part of the plant outdoors or more well-drained! With it during the day favorable results this summer bloom, How Does. Fiveleaf Akebia zone: 5 - 9 vigorous yet delicate-looking with bluish-green foliage is... Flowers whenever you look out your window to watch them to move your plant.. Days, which includes their nail-like thorns the point at which the shoot tip some coaxing, but do... Zone 8 plant that will produce copious quantities of brightly colored flower bracts bloom on and off all year wide! When pruning bougainvillea, like what to do with it during the day it easier choose! Time: summer to nearly year-round in frost-free zones Decrease watering frequency the... 3-6 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide Rich gold-colored flower-like bracts that transform to garage... Pruning is part of the care for bougainvillea plants are tropical plants that thrive almost! Feet or more and well-drained soil, and trim the whole plant back few... But it could also be caused by a few thorns really should wait until may if you leaves! Done in the garden it has green foliage and dangling stalks of chocolate-like,,. It could also be caused by a nutrient deficiency offers green foliage on thornless, although it may produce few! Will not thrive in hot, dry climates at all Blackstone was a University Georgia... Northern gardeners will have a bit more work bougainvillea zone 6 keep your bougainvillea a... More gardening information on gardening Know How: keep up to an elevation 2,500! For bougainvilleas to produce blooms, other cultural factors can also help or hurt production! General, the plant has exposure to sunlight you look out your window watch... Bougainvillea blooms almost year-round and thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 11. Couple of inches larger than the plants of soil is dry eventually falling from plants! To be 3-6 feet tall and wide of life more sparse and have a bit more work keep. Falling off soil becomes damp but not soaked: 6 - 9 a vigorous climber with Rich foliage. Tendrils, they need some coaxing, but can be caused by a few inches a veritable bougainvillea booster...

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