She earned a BA from U.C. A rapid grower, the bright flowers of a bougainvillea are easy to get in any part of your garden. This means that on a really cold year, the coldest it will get is 0°F. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol). If you live where in a climate where bougainvillea is borderline zone hardy (see zones below), then planting it against a warm wall or in a corner against the house will help. 8 of 10 'White Madonna' (Bougainvillea âWhite Madonnaâ) Plant this beauty and let her vines climb high with moderate water and full sun. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida "Bougainvillea" doubles as a botanical name (genus name) in plant taxonomy and as a common name. The white flowers are larger than those of the spectabilis species, and the bracts are pointed and shaped like triangles. Bougainvillea does best outdoors in the warmest areas of the country such as U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Plants need minimal care, are drought tolerant once establish, and attracts pollinators. If you plan to grow bougainvillea in containers, use a well-draining potting soil. These vines typically lose some leaves for a short time during the winter, but when light conditions are low, leaf loss may occur at any time. What does it take to keep a bougainvillea happy in cultivation? Bougainvillea is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Brazil, Peru, Argentina and other South American countries. Some suggest that the best growing mixture is a soil-less mix since these are free of weed seeds, disease pathogens and insect eggs. Some species can tolerate lower temperatures. The plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and grow in clumps that spread about 2 to 4 inches every year. Bougainvillea are woody flowering shrubs that grow to 20 or 30 feet or more. A bougainvillea can even be trained as a bonsai. Perhaps the most popular use for bougainvillea is as a climbing plant. Bougainvillea doesnât like to be kept sopping wet & is subject to rot. But cold is another story. Bougainvillea is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11. But those same qualities make it useful as a ground cover in difficult-to-maintain parts of a property. Make sure drainage is excellent..keep in full sun all day long for best bloom. The third cultivated bougainvillea species is Bougainvillea peruviana, noted for its green bark and yellow true flowers. 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. Bougainvillea can tolerate low temperatures, but the leaves and bracts may wilt in temperatures below 4.5° C (40 °F). See map below.) The showy bracts are typically found on new growth, with the biggest display following their winter dormancy. Don't worry too much about the heat, since this shrub thrives in hot dry locations even in temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. (Not sure which zone you live in? Bougainvillea glabra also flower almost continuously up and down the length of the branches, but the flowers are slightly different. Bougainvillea thorns help them climb The key to training and pruning them is to understand their growth habit. Where it grows. In the U.S., they thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and above, but they also can be grown in protected areas of hardiness zone 9. Although many gardeners grow bougainvillea directly in the soil, some also grow smaller bougainvillea in containers or hanging baskets. In winters, when you bring the pot indoors, place it at a spot where it can receive an ample amount of light. In areas below those zones, a bougainvillea in winter should be kept in containers and moved indoors. It also is beautiful growing over arbors, into espaliers, or in hanging baskets. If you live in the right climate, few climbing plants are easier to grow than bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.). Bougainvillea is a hardy perennial, but it prefers the temperate climates of USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. If you donât have growing space or live in a suitable climate, you can plant bougainvillea in a pot. 2. Planted near a wall or a trellis, bougainvillea can rapidly cover the surface in a burst of bright bracts. When using it as a common name, I do not capitalize. Heaviest bloom comes during the cooler months of spring and fall, when days and nights are nearly equal in length. The bracts are the real showstoppers and come in shades of red, purple, magenta, hot pink, light pink, orange, apricot and white. The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Nashville is April. Not enough sun = not enough color. It's extremely popular in warm, dry climates where it can be used in a wide variety of ways. These evergreen climber plants hail from South America where the weather is toasty, so it's no surprise that bougainvillea does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 and above. The ideal low for this plant is 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 75 degrees during the day. A beautiful mix of bougainvillea vines. With the proper care, your bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) Berkeley's Boalt Hall, and an MA and MFA from San Francisco State. Bush and Espalier type; Yellow to Gold Bracts green foliage; Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds ; Zone 9+ Tropical; Plugs are starter plants with approximately 1â in diameter by 1 ¼+â deep roots in plastic cups. Bougainvillea is a hardy tropical vine that grows in areas where winter temperatures remain above 30 degrees F. (-1 C.). Bougainvillea, a tropical plant, thrives in full sun, at least 5 hours a day of direct sunlight is required for good bloom, the more is better. It flourishes with minimal water and high temperatures. How to Prune a Bougainvillea in Phoenix After the Frost Now is the time for homeowners to cut back any frost damage that has occurred throughout our chilly winter months. The plant usually produces three rounds of vibrant blooms in spring, summer and autumn. All species of bougainvillea are thorny shrubs in the Nyctaginaceae, the (four o'clock) family of plants. One of the best tools that we have as gardeners to help us estimate our gardening schedule is the USDA zone info. Many gardeners can control a potential mess by growing bougainvillea in containers on patios or decks, pruning them heavily, then moving them to protected areas during the winter. It's also a survivor plant, known to tolerate drought, salt and winds. What many people think of as the blooms of bougainvillea are not actually blooms at all. The true flowers on bougainvillea are quite small, usually white, and are surrounded by colorful bracts. The tiny flowers appear up and down the branches almost year-round. Flame ⦠While they can stand on their own as upright shrubs, they will climb up any available support, including trees, structures and fences. The showy paper-like structures are a modified leaf called a bract. Bougainvillea are popular ornamental plants in most areas with warm climates, such as Florida and South Carolina, and across the Mediterranean Basin. From Alaska to California, from France's Basque Country to Mexico's Pacific Coast, Teo Spengler has dug the soil, planted seeds and helped trees, flowers and veggies thrive. Coneflower Coneflower Coneflower, also known as the purple coneflower, is a very versatile perennial plant. Since bougainvillea are not cold tolerant it's necessary to wait until after the last frost has passed before you can plant them. A variety of perennial plants are available in Tennessee to get your garden started with beautiful flowers. It can be shaped into hedges, upright bushes or as a "standard," a one-trunk, flowering tree. Bougainvillea Plants for Sale - Large Selection of Vibrant Colors - Satisfaction Guaranteed - FREE Shipping - Buy NOW - The best flowers start here! If you choose to grow them as annuals, be aware doing this can be quite expensive. Usually, the last frost in the valley happens around the 15th of February, but this year we got a late frost and even snow in North Scottsdale on the 22nd of February. How to Grow Bougainvillea. Heavy soil or any soil that holds water won't do. (Bougainvillea âMs. The bracts are large, crinkled ovals in brilliant shades of rose and purple. In the wild, they opt for the soil and climate that make it easiest for them to develop and propagate. Bougainvillea loves heat and humidity..and a sandy,loam soil. Aliceâ) This low-growing variety can easily be kept to three to four feet, working best for those wanting a lovely, all-white look without sky-high height. The last month that you can plant bougainvillea and expect a good harvest is probably August. The plant may be severely damaged at these temperatures if kept for a long time. The average date of last frost is April 15 in Nashville. The leaves of this species are thin, and the bracts are magenta, fairly small and delicate. Bougainvillea's vibrant colors come not from its small, inconspicuous true flowers, but from the three large bracts that surround them. There are many varieties of the bougainvillea, with blooms in a range of colors that include white, cream, pink, purple, orange, and bi ⦠Each of the three species has slightly different features and degrees of hardiness. Any later than that and your bougainvillea may not have a chance to grow to maturity. Bougainvillea is a tough plant, and that's not just in reference to its formidable thorns. She currently divides her life between San Francisco and southwestern France. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. A large, dense shrub with hairy leaves and stems, it's also noted for its distinctive curved thorns. Bougainvilleas are programmed to climb; thatâs why they produce such thick stems with large thorns that are designed to hook into things as they reach towards the light. Alternatively, you can grow bougainvillea as a specimen container plant and move it indoors when the temperatures dip. Bougainvillea California Gold-Blooms Gold-Yellow with Green Foliage-Tropical 9+. Bougainvillea might win the prize for the most frequently misspelled plant name. They are frost sensitive and does best in zones 9 and 10 but that's not to say they don't do well in other places. Although it is frost-sensitive and hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b and 10, bougainvillea can be used as a houseplant or hanging basket in cooler climates. The solid trunk also allows bougainvilleas to be trimmed as a bush or tree. Any later than that and your bougainvillea may not have a chance to grow to maturity. It's also a survivor plant, known to tolerate drought, salt and winds. The plant is native to South America and is named for a French explorer. They can be white as well as lilac and purple. However, homeowners often select a plant for a particular place based on ornamental factors. Bougainvillea shrubs are often multi-stemmed climbers, sending out slender arching canes armed with thorns. Bougainvillea is a tropical, shrub-like vine that bursts forth with colorful flowers for 11 months of the year if it's planted in the right climate. Stay away from a medium with high peat content since it retains water and may rot the plant. Just like planting a shrub, dig the hole at least 2 times as wide as the rootball. Our family has been in business for nearly four decades. Bougainvillea requires a fair amount of water and high-fertility soil. Bougainvillea plants thrive in cultivation in climates and conditions that mimic their native environment. The bougainvillea is a tropical vine whose bright, vibrant flowers positively glow in the landscape. The versatility of this plant may surprise you. These vining shrubs require full sun and high light intensity to thrive and produce flowers. Possibly ok, but a risky time to plant bougainvillea, Probably not a good time to plant bougainvillea. Santa Cruz, a law degree from U.C. Bougainvillea, (genus Bougainvillea), genus of about 18 species of shrubs, vines, or small trees, belonging to the four-oâclock family (Nyctaginaceae), native to South America. On most years you should be prepared to experience lows near 5°F. Half of the time in Nashville we get surprised by a frost after April 15 so make sure that you are ready to cover your bougainvillea if we have one of those late frosts. Bougainvillea can also be grown as an annual or as a houseplant outside those zones. The zone info helps tell us things like average date of last frost and lowest expected temperature for our area. Vine perfers temperature from 60-90.humidity from 50 to 95%. Loosen the soil on the bottom of the hole to make sure the water will drain out. But this colorful climbing shrub has lots of surprising (and even amazing) characteristics. Bougainvillea is a tropical plant and is best when the night temps are at least 65 and up and the days up into the 90's. Native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central and South America but now cultivated in warm climes the world over. Bougainvillea must have well-drained soil, and it prefers acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. “Bougainvillea″ is both the genus name and the common name of this popular plant. The bougainvillea--also known as the "paper flower plant"--is a flowering perennial plant. The earliest that you can plant bougainvillea in Nashville is April. However, you really should wait until May if you don't want to take any chances. b. la buganvilia (f) means that a noun is feminine. Gardeners know that tracking a cultivated plant's history can help you determine its ideal growing conditions, because, in nature, plants grow where they can thrive, rather than in a spot chosen by a gardener. Of the many species of bougainvillea in nature, only three have been widely cultivated. Bougainvillea need very bright light (2,500 fc) and do well under high shade or in full sun. Do not consider installing bougainvilleas in a shady corner of the backyard or even a low-light area. Bougainvillea has been successfully grown outside in very sheltered areas in the UK . can bloom for 12 months of the year in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, or indoors in ⦠If taken care of during the cold winters they should do fine. Botanically, the plants are classified as woody vines, although they often behave more like shrubs. Typically, you will see the best display of blooms followi⦠However, you really should wait until May if you don't want to take any chances. They grow at low elevations, but can be found thriving up to an elevation of 2,500 feet. They are slender ivory tubes with multiple showy bracts. Temperature counts too in bougainvillea growing conditions. The first bougainvillea to be identified (in 1798) was given the botanical name Bougainvillea spectabilis. The colorful parts are actually modified leaves called bracts. The true flowers are small and white. In 1974, we established Real Estate Promoters, Inc, an acreage and commercial brokerage business. It's usually porous, allowing water to drain rapidly. Flame Red Bougainvillea Plants offer masses of red flower bracts on arching stems with rich green leaves that adds brilliant summer color to containers and landscapes alike. The shrub's leathery leaves are also large, oval and hairy. These three bracts hide the true flowers inside, which are small, trumpet-shaped flowers in whites and yellows. 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. Bougainvillea is a beautiful and well-liked tropical plant that grow vigorous vines filled with papery blossoms in a variety of colors. It can cover entire slopes, and it's tough enough to choke out weeds. Always keep in mind that USDA zone info for Nashville is not always accurate and our actual date of last frost changes from year to year. Bougainvillea grew all over the trellis covering the patio. Making things even better are its easy-care attributes; these are no-fuss, low-maintenance plants! Getty Images Botanical name: Nyctaginaceae. With its almost year-round color from its beautiful bracts, bougainvillea is favored by gardeners as one of the best creeping plants or climbing plants in a landscape. It might get as low as 0°F during the coldest months of winter. Bougainvilleas should produce two or three beautiful displays of flowers in spring, summer and fall. The genus was named after the French explorer and military commander, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, in 1736. Bougainvillea is a tough plant, and that's not just in reference to its formidable thorns. You can get started a couple of weeks earlier by starting your bougainvillea indoors. You can figure out when it's possible to plant bougainvillea in Nashville by checking out the USDA zone info. Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is an evergreen and has a fast growth rate, so you will not be waiting too long for the burst of color to take over. While there are a number of species of bougainvillea ‒ some deciduous, some evergreen ‒ only three are used widely in cultivation. For example, you'll see these heat-loving shrubs in many Mexican cities.