Bougainvillea is a gorgeous flowering vine known for its colorful blooms and incredible resilience. Regardless of whether you buy bougainvillea flowers online or grow your own, they can flourish and provide an abundance of flowers for many years to come. Here are the basics of bougainvillea plant care and growing:
Table of Contents
Bougainvillea Cultivation and History
Bougainvillea is a popular flowering vine known for its colorful bracts that resemble petals. It is native to South America but is now widely cultivated in warm climates across the world. The first bougainvillea specimen was discovered in Brazil in the early 1800s by French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville.
Bougainvillea Propagation
Bougainvillea plants can be propagated through stem cuttings, layering, and grafting. Taking stem cuttings is the easiest method for home gardeners to grow bougainvillea in pots. In spring or summer, take 6-12 inch long stem cuttings with leaves and a node. Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone and place them in a moist potting mix. Keep the soil damp and the cuttings should root within a few weeks.
Spring Flower Delivery
Summer Flower Delivery
Tropical And Exotic Flowers
How to Grow
Bougainvillea thrives in well-drained soil or any available fertilizer for bougainvillea with full sun exposure. Amend your soil with compost or organic matter before planting. Planting holes should be double the width of the root ball. Water newly planted bougainvillea thoroughly and avoid overwatering, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune bougainvillea back after blooming each year to encourage new growth. The hardest and oldest stems should be pruned back to 12-18 inches. Light pruning throughout the growing season will shape the plant and promote more flowering.
Cultivars to Select
There are many beautiful bougainvillea cultivars to choose from with flowers in various shades of red, pink, purple, orange, and white. Some popular varieties include:
‘Barbara Karst’: Bright pink flowers with red bracts
‘Miss Louisiana’: Vivid fuchsia flowers
‘San Diego Red’: Deep red flowers
‘Snow White’: White flowers
‘Monserrat Purple’: Purple flowers
Managing Pests and Disease
Bougainvillea plants are fairly pest resistant but may be affected by:
- Mealybugs: Control with neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
- Scale: Treat with horticultural oil sprays in the dormant season.
- Spider mites: Control using neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays.
- Powdery mildew: prune affected areas and improve air circulation.
Uses and Fun Facts
- Bougainvilleas can act as hedges, privacy screens, and ground covers.
- The flower bracts attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
- They are evergreen in frost-free climates but deciduous in colder zones.
- These flowers have no scent but their bold bougainvillea flower colors make up for it!
- There are cultures that believe bougainvillea has a flower meaning, and its bracts symbolize love, passion, and affection.
Bougainvillea are beautiful, easy-care flowering plants that can bring vibrant color to any landscape when provided with full sun, ample drainage, and regular pruning.
SnapBlooms makes it easy to buy and send flowers online.
With the right care and propagation techniques, gardeners can enjoy these colorful blooms and even make their own bougainvillea flower arrangements for years to come. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with some useful tips to successfully grow and care for your own bougainvillea plants.
If you’re not ready to start growing your own plants but need bougainvillea anywhere in the US fast, consider ordering high-quality flowers from Snapblooms. Order today.
