The Bougainvillea plant, with its vibrant, papery bracts in a kaleidoscope of colors, is a showstopper in any garden. This tropical beauty, native to South America, thrives in warm climates and sunny spots. They are versatile plants that can be grown as climbers, shrubs, or even small trees and in all cases, produce amazing blooms. Little wonder the Bougainvillea plant is so popular.
Bougainvilleas add a touch of tropical flair to New Zealand gardens. While they thrive in warmer climates, careful selection and cultivation allow them to flourish even in some cooler regions. These vigorous climbers, available in a spectrum of colours, can be trained on fences, pergolas, or even grown as shrubs, bringing a burst of colour to NZ landscapes. This series of articles provides valuable insights so you can select and grow amazing Bougainvilleas in NZ!
There is a wide array of Bougainvillea plants in NZ and we find our clients select based on flower colour, foliage type, and whether they are dwarf or not. On this basis we present the most popular varieties based on these characteristics. Simply click on the variety and it will take you a wealth of information about that particular variety:
These varieties typically grow to no more than 1.5 metres tall. We have grouped them by their flower colour.
Several Bougainvillea varieties are available in NZ:
Bougainvillea make excellent bonsai subjects due to their attractive growth and flowers, but also because of their ability to tolerate pruning. When choosing a Bougainvillea for bonsai, opt for a dwarf Bougainvillea as they are lot easier to manage. Start with a young plant with a slender stem and plant it in a small container with a commercial bonsai mix. The small container restricts root growth and therefore aids in keeping the plant small. Bougainvillea need plenty of sunlight to thrive and bloom, so be sure to place your bonsai in a sunny position..
Pruning is essential for maintaining the bonsai's shape and encouraging new growth. Pinch back new growth regularly, and prune larger branches as needed. Bougainvilleas bloom on new growth, so avoid excessive pruning during the blooming season or be very selective about what stems are kept. Wiring is generally used to shape the branches and create desired forms. Use bonsai wire and be careful not to damage the bark. Remove the wire once the branch has set in its new position.
Creating a beautiful bonsai takes time and dedication. Pay close attention to your Bougainvillea's needs and adjust your care routine accordingly. We advise learning from experienced bonsai growers by either joining a bonsai club or attend workshops to learn more about bonsai techniques.
Bougainvillea are vines that can be trained as climbers, shrubs, or even small trees to heights of 1.5 to 12 metres depending on the variety and growing conditions. They are generally considered vigorous plants their growth generally needs to contained with trimming. Further, they are often trained onto a trellis or similar support structure to enable better plant aesthetics. This also affords the plant to act as a screen or be a focal point in the garden. Without support, the growth of Bougainvillea will become a spreading ground cover plant.
Bougainvillea can live for 50 years or more! They thrive in warm climates with plenty of sunlight and good drainage is essential. Watch out for frost with young plants and dwarf Bougainvillea varieties which can be damaged or even killed.
Pruning is an essential part of bougainvillea care. Pruning promotes healthy growth and will encourage more prolific flowering. Here are some bougainvillea pruning tips to help you get started:
When to Prune
How to Prune
Special Considerations for Mini Bougainvillea and Bonsai
Bougainvillea will generally grow back if cut down. In fact, it is often recommended to prune bougainvillea plants regularly to encourage new growth and promote better flowering. They are resilient plants and can withstand severe pruning. However, cutting the plant back to near ground may or may not result in the plant regrowing. Older plants may fail to come away or those that have disease issues. While most probably will regrow, it does come with risk.
Proper care is crucial to ensure the health and vitality of your bougainvillea plants. Here are some essential tips on caring for Bougainvillea:
Watering
Feeding
Pest and Disease Management
Evergreen Bougainvilleas is somewhat of a nuanced topic. In their native climates Bougainvilleas are naturally evergreen. However, in cooler climates (like much of NZ) Bougainvilleas are often deciduous or semi-deciduous. They lose some or all of their leaves during the colder months to protect themselves from frost and conserve energy. Hence, in the northern part of NZ they may remain evergreen, but south of Tauranga they are likely to be deciduous or partially evergreen.
Some bougainvillea cultivars are known to be more tolerant of frost conditions than others. Generally speaking, [dwarf Boungainvilleas] are not tolerant of frost and will only take a light frost once they are well established. Therefore, they should be grown in a frost-free site. However, the larger growing varieties such as Bougainvillea Magnifica Traillii, Bougainvillea 'Scarlet O'Hara', and Bougainvillea Mary Palmer can handle frosts.
Leaf drop can also occur when plants become moisture stressed or when light levels become too low for them. Moving plants to better light and addressing any watering issues will remedy this problem.
When planting a bougainvillea, consider the following factors to ensure optimal growth and flowering:
Choosing the Right Location
Soil Preparation
Planting
Aftercare and Pruning
While Bougainvilleas are known for their vibrant outdoor displays, they can also be grown indoors with the right care and attention. Here are some tips to help you grow them well indoors:
Bougainvillea plants do not naturally climb and therefore, need to trained. Training can involve loosely tying the plants to a support structure or trellis. Similarly, the stems can be threaded or weaved through the holes in a trellis. If you undertake the exercise regularly, couple with light trimming to remove excess growth, you will have an amazing plant!
Bougainvillea’s are considered mildly toxic to dogs. While not deadly in most cases, ingesting certain parts of the plant can cause some unpleasant symptoms. The toxic parts are the leaves and stems which contain the highest concentration of glycosides and saponins. These can irritate the digestive system. The thorns are not directly toxic but punctures can lead to infections or allergic reactions.
Symptoms of poisoning:
What to do if your dog ingests bougainvillea:
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.
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