Bougainvillea
In frost-free coastal gardens it can live outdoors against a hot wall; elsewhere it is a pot plant that must spend winter above about 7°C.
Care
Full sun and heat; the more sun, the more colour.
Low-medium — water well, then let the compost dry out; slight dryness triggers flowering, constant moisture gives leaves.
Free-draining soil or loam-based compost with grit.
Flowers on new growth: cut back side shoots hard in late winter to a framework, and shorten long shoots after each flush. It has thorns — wear gloves.
A high-potash feed every two weeks from spring to late summer; too much nitrogen gives lush leaves and no bracts.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat, or hardwood cuttings in late winter; rooting is slow and patchy.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- FebruaryCut back to a framework before growth starts. how ›
- MayMove pots outdoors to the sunniest spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyShorten long shoots after a flush of flowers to encourage the next. how ›
- OctoberBring in before the first frost; keep cool, bright and fairly dry in winter. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut back to a framework before growth starts. how ›
- AprilMove pots outdoors to the sunniest spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyShorten long shoots after a flush of flowers to encourage the next. how ›
- OctoberBring in before the first frost; keep cool, bright and fairly dry in winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryCut back to a framework before growth starts. how ›
- AprilMove pots outdoors to the sunniest spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyShorten long shoots after a flush of flowers to encourage the next. how ›
- NovemberBring in before the first frost; keep cool, bright and fairly dry in winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryCut back to a framework before growth starts. how ›
- MarchMove pots outdoors to the sunniest spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyShorten long shoots after a flush of flowers to encourage the next. how ›
- NovemberBring in before the first frost; keep cool, bright and fairly dry in winter. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Vigorous green growth, little colour.
What to do. Too much water or nitrogen, or not enough sun; let it dry between waterings and feed with potash.
How to spot it. Drops leaves indoors.
What to do. Normal in cool, dim conditions; it releafs in spring.
How to spot it. White fluff or clusters on new shoots.
What to do. Wipe or wash off.
Questions
Bougainvillea: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — in cool climates grow it in a pot so it can come under cover; slightly pot-bound plants flower best.
Bougainvillea: when do you prune it?
Flowers on new growth: cut back side shoots hard in late winter to a framework, and shorten long shoots after each flush. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in February, July.
Bougainvillea: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in May–October.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash feed every two weeks from spring to late summer; too much nitrogen gives lush leaves and no bracts. Feeding months, UK: April–August.