Bougainvillea Bougainvillea A love blog about bougainvillea.

A trellis is an architectural structure, usually made from interwoven pieces of wood, bamboo or metal that is often made to support climbing plants. There are many types of trellis for different places and for different plants, such as sweet peas, grapevines, ivy, bougainvillea, and climbing roses or other support based growing plants.

To create your own bougainvillea trellis, we recommend using wood or woven-wood.  The reason we suggest wood is because a metal trellis will get very hot and stunt the growth of the bougainvillea.  Remember, bougainvillea need lots of sunlight.  Sunlight on metal = hot.

To begin, put one or multiple bougainvillea plants per pot to create your own bougainvillea trellis.  Place the trellis structure toward the back of the plant, and tie up the branches to the trellis using tie tape to establish "tie points".

That's it! Bougainvillea are vine and will use the trellis you provide it to encroach and grow.  Bougainvillea can grow from 1 - 12 meters tall.  The time it takes to make a bougainvillea trellis all depends on how tall of a trellis you are making, the time of year, the variety, AND the quality of care and maintenance that you give it.

To make them flower all along the trellis, just remember to trim/pinch after each bloom cycle all along the plant and not just at the top.

Consider using BOUGAIN®, a specially formulated bougainvillea fertilizer.

2010 is already ending with a cold "BANG"!  So what are you going to do about your precious bougainvillea?


Here are some quick tips on "winterizing bougainvillea".

• Bring them Indoors - If you have planted your bougainvillea in the soil outdoors and want to dig it up and move it indoors for the winter, expect the plant to go into dormancy sooner than if it had been in a container -- the root damage as a result of digging will be the cause rather than the cool weather -- but the plant should survive this kind of transplanting.
  
• Hard Prune - it's recommended you do a hard prune before bringing them indoors. Bougainvillea is a vine and new growth (after a prune) starts one or more leafbuds below the cut and not up and down the entire branch. By doing a "hard" prune, next spring, when the plant regrows it will be fuller from the base up.
  
• Plant in a Container - Generally, bougainvillea can be grown in anything that will hold soil and allow proper drainage. Some of the more traditionally used containers include terra cotta (clay) pots, plastic pots, hanging baskets, wire baskets lined with sphagnum moss or fibrous liners, concrete planters, planter boxes, and bushel baskets. Just remember that the container MUST have proper drainage.

Be the envy of your neighborhood with landscaping that makes a bold statement.

Bougainvillea is probably one of the most often desired plants that can add color to any landscape and make it vibrant with life.  Bougainvillea vines bear flowers during the spring-summer seasons and has a tropical flora characteristic with exotic colors that effortlessly add beauty (and awe) to any landscape.



Bougainvillea can grow in almost any soil, because they are a true xeriscape plant.  This makes it an ideal choice for landscaping, particularly for those that aren't green thumbs or simply do not have the time to upkeep their gardens.  Check out the "best climate for bougainvillea".

Like all tropical plants, bougainvillea require a lot of sunlight (or a light-level of at least 4000 f.c.).  The more light, the more vibrant the yield of color.  You can also add a bougainvillea fertilizer specially formulate to boost growth, color, and bloom.

We all know the holidays are around the corner... and we all know we need unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that will certainly be remembered... why not gift "out of the box" this year with beautiful bougainvillea jewelry?

We guarantee that you're gift recipient will absolutely adore any set of bougainvillea earrings or bougainvillea necklace combination.  Best of all, if you live in the continental U.S., BGI will ship it to you for FREE.

So let's recap, shall we?

1. One of a kind great gift
2. Memorable
3. Inexpensive
4. In-time for the holidays
5. Free Shipping!

We'll let these pictures do the talking... but don't for one second think that bougainvillea don't provide the wow factor your property may be secretly calling you for.

When in doubt, ask.  When in need, ask an expert.

If you're looking for expert advice from individuals with vast bougainvillea experience, look no further than the Bougainvillea Community Forum.

BGI's community forum is plush with information from bougainvillea blooming issues to how to best extract magnificent color from your favorite bougainvillea variety.

And even if you're not looking for an answer, perhaps you can share your experience and expertise with others seeking to tap into your wisdom.

Don't wait another minute, go create your bougainvillea community account to get started!

Did you know that Bougainvillea Growers International (BGI) has over 20 varieties of bougainvillea? They even pioneer a series of hybrids known as "Flavored ICE®".


A quick glance at the history of BGI and one can surely see why they are the nation's leading bougainvillea wholesaler.

BGI was founded in 1994 on 5 acres with a vision of turning a niche market into a global phenomenon, bringing color and beauty to landscapes and bougainvillea lovers everywhere.  Today, their wholesale nursuries total a whopping 67 acres. 

It's not just variety of species, but variety of product as well.  Here's a list of both to get your bougainvillea juices flowing:

Bougainvillea Varieties

• Ambiance
• Barbara Karst
• Elizabeth Angus
• Flavored ICE®
• Helen Johnson
• Imperial Delight
• Lady Baring
• Miami Pink
• Miss Alice
• New River
• Silhouette
• Sundown Orange
• Vera Deep Purple

Bougainvillea Products

• Bougainvillea Fertilizer - BOUGAIN®
• Bougainvillea Bush
• Bougainvillea Trellis
• Bougainvillea Standard
• Bougainvillea Bonsai

It's important to understand a bougainvillea's growth pattern, as it is not in constant bloom. 

The bougainvillea has two distinct growth cycles:

1. A vegetative growth period for several weeks -- when new leaves and stems grow.  If the plant receives enough sunlight, the plant will form buds during this time. If there is not enough sunlight, the plant will remain in vegetative cycle.

2. A blooming period of several weeks when little or no vegetative growth occurs.  The length of time they will display color is dependent upon the health of the plant and the environment they are in; the more sun and heat, the better. However, long days and short nights (July and August in Florida) limit a bougainvillea's ability to bloom.

Learn More: Bougainvillea 101, Every thing you need to know about Bougainvillea

This pink, Bougainvillea Teatime Pixie® bonsai can be grown in its 6-inch ceramic bonsai pot for several years before needing re-potting.

This variety of bougainvillea hardly needs any trimming or maintenance to stay colorful and showy. Frost-sensitive, potted bougainvillea can be wintered over indoors during cool weather. For best blooming, bougainvillea must be grown outdoors and receive at least 5 hours of direct sun per day. Water at the first sign of wilt, and when re-potting, use only bonsai soil in a pot with excellent drainage.

• Botanical Name : Bougainvillea Teatime Pixie®
• Variety/Cultivar: Teatime Pixie®
• Tiny, pink bracts and compact foliage
• Height of bonsai will remain approximately 6-7 In. tall
• Needs minimal water once established
• Can be wintered-over indoors in cooler climates
• Fertilize monthly with BGI's Bougain® for best blooming results
• Trim after each bloom cycle for best branching and blooming
• Enjoyed as a perennial in the Southern states, flowering most heavily October through June
• Enjoyed as an annual in the Northern states, flowering most heavily April through July 

Visit Bougainvillea Growers International for all your Bougainvillea needs!

Bougainvillea bloom better with Bougain®, the best-selling bougainvillea fertilizer in the country. Specially formulated for the distinct growing and blooming needs of bougainvillea is now available at your local Home Depot!

Great for both young and mature bougainvillea, and in all sizes and varieties. Each jar includes a measuring scoop. Sold as a 2-pack, so you will receive two (2) 2lb. jars.

• Ideal for all varieties of bougainvillea
• Achieve maximum color and vibrancy on your bougainvillea plant
• Easy to use - no mixing
• Quick results
• Guaranteed not to burn when used as directed
• Once a month application
• MFG Brand Name : Bougain®
• MFG Model # : F26842-2
• MFG Part # : F26842-2

Bougainvillea Growth cycles

The bougainvillea has two distinct growth cycles:

1. A vegetative growth period for several weeks -- when new leaves and stems grow.  If the plant receives enough sunlight, the plant will form buds during this time. If there is not enough sunlight, the plant will remain in vegetative cycle.

2. A blooming period of several weeks when little or no vegetative growth occurs.  The length of time they will display color is dependent upon the health of the plant and the environment they are in; the more sun and heat, the better. However, long days and short nights (July and August in Florida) limit a bougainvillea's ability to bloom.

Watering bougainvillea is as simple as looking at your plant.

Wilting is the best indicator that watering is needed. No need to check for soil dryness or count the days that you previously watered. Just look at the foliage or bracts...and if they're starting to droop a little, then it's time to water. If you let them droop, then wilt, and then wait a couple more days to water, then it may be too late and the plant will start to drop foliage. Take care not to let your bougainvillea get bone-dry, as this will cause bracts and foliage to drop. When it is time to water, do it thoroughly – making sure that every inch of root gets watered.

The amount of watering needed is directly related to the climate, soil type, plant size and weather conditions. However, there are some guidelines you can use.

Bougainvillea are drought-tolerant plants, and require very little water once established. Bring the soil to visual dryness between waterings.

When choosing an area to plant your bougainvillea, remember that higher ground is best - as this makes water drain AWAY from the roots. Avoid constant, light, and frequent watering as this will promote a weak and shallow root system and prevent any major coloring on your bougainvillea. Be careful not to allow your bougainvillea to sit in water as this may cause bracts to drop or stop blooming altogether.

If your bougainvillea is grown in a pot – make sure drainage holes are unobstructed, and toss that water dish... bougainvillea do not like wet feet!  Also make sure you are using the right fertilizer for your bougainvillea plants.

When you think of ambiance, you think of an environments surrounding influence.  An influence that sets the mood just right.  She said, "there was an atmosphere of excitement!"

If setting the mood is what you are good at, then consider pairing your gardening approach with Ambiance (she's also known as James Walker).  Ambiance is a very fast grower and her buds are deep orange at first but matures to a brilliant hot pink as you can see in the collage above. 

Her bracts are large, pointed, slightly iridescent and grow in massive clusters.

Three shades of hot color distinguish this vigorous bougainvillea, with orange, coral and pink blossoms combined on the same tropical vine - she's adequately known as "Sundown Orange".

Her unique bracts open as deep orange, then turn to coral, and finally mature into a salmon-pink.  Her tri-coloring works so well with the color schemes of Floridian homes and architecture; she’s quickly becoming the favorite among weekend gardeners and landscape designers.

Her low water usage is key to water-conscious landscapes.

Vera Deep Purple P.P. #10950 is a patented variety from Europe that is an exquisite neon fuchsia color. It’s unlike any bougainvillea you’ve ever seen - you have to see it to believe it! Best of all, it’s thorn-less and dwarf! Bracts are compact, and grow in a torch-like effect. Stunning as a mass-planting for bougainvillea ground-cover.

What do Penn State football games & Miss Alice have in common?



Miss Alice and Penn State football games are well known for their ability to "white out".  Although, Penn State usually reserves its white-outs for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Miss Alice has no reservations.

Miss Alice is hands-down, one of our personal favorites. How often do you see the crisp and clean feeling of white bracts in landscaping? Not to often... picture a community entrance engulfed with Miss Alice; breath-taking.

She’s a giant-bract (meaning the white, flowering part is very large compared to other bougainvillea bracts), semi-dwarf, thorn-less (sort-of) variety due to her compact, slow-growing habit, and extremely low thorn count.

Pure white bracts pour out and can be enjoyed year-round, and can be maintained to stay bushy and low to the ground.  Her bright white bracts grow in large clusters and are very large, long, and elliptic.  Leaves are medium to dark green, long, and tapering to a point.

At full maturity, she's 2-3’ tall and wide. Although you can prune her to stay small and compact.

Miss Alice is a great candidate for xeriscaping, as with most bougainvillea variety, she requires minimal water once established. She's evergreen and flourishes year-round in the Southeastern U.S.

Want an explosive color? Miami Pink-it.  
Want eye-catching vibrance? Miami Pink-it.



Miami Pink is a vigorous grower with deep hot pink bracts.  It's leaves are mid to dark green and ovate.

Because of its vigorous growth, its best suited for use with trellis, and also in standard-form.  With periodic pruning, this variety can be trained into bush and hanging baskets.

When it's mature, it can grow to 20-30’ tall X 6-9’ wide. However, you can prune to keep it smaller.

After each blooming cycle (approximately every 4-6 weeks), trim or pinch the soft tips of young plants stems to encourage new growth. Pinching means removing the growing tip.  This will create multiple offshoots, thicken the plant’s appearance, and yield a more colorful bougainvillea.

In the Southeastern U.S., Miami Pink flowers most heavily from October through June, but can flower sporadically year-round if dry conditions exist.  Evergreen.

One thing we should never take for granted is that a garden keeps growing. While current dry climatic conditions may restrict some garden tasks, life in a garden goes on. And so our gardens call us to continue, as there is still so much we need to do.
l Take steps to save your most valued plants. Be they gifts from friends and relatives, collectable rarities, or your favourite flowers, etc, you may consider moving them to pots, or giving them preferential mulching and watering to survive.

l Insert watering tubes next to important shrubs. These can be made from two litre cold drink bottles or sawn-off sections of PVC pipe. Water poured down the watering tubes reaches the root zone without running away from the plant.

l By pruning or lightly trimming shrubs and fillers, you regain a balanced ratio between roots and foliage. Less water will be needed for a slightly smaller plant. Don’t cut back too much, as this will stimulate too much new growth (which requires more water).
l Keep your plants in good condition. It is still the growing season, so you should still be feeding. Starving plants will be under even more stress, which makes them susceptible to diseases. Make use of slow release fertilisers like Bounceback, Sudden Impact, organic 3:1:5 or chemical 3:1:5 (26) SR. Bonemeal is a great fertiliser for hardening off plants, without making them shoot out too much. You can also use soluble fertilisers such as Seagro or Nitrosol, which are not as strong as standard granular feeds.

l Cover large tracts of exposed soil in beds. Exposure to wind, and the baking effect of sun damages surface roots, and leads to evaporation of valuable water. Plant water- wise ground covers such as portulaca, verbena, aptenia or felicia close together, to help shade and shelter the soil around your plants. Alternatively, make use of a thick mulch of bark chips, gravel, pine needles or dry grass clippings to cover exposed soil.
l Construct ridges, rises and berms around plants or whole beds to trap water around your plants. These “dams” encourage water to soak into the soil directly around the roots.

l Add some joy to life in your garden. A small pot on the patio or at the front door is easy to maintain. Use some water-wise flowering plants to colour your life.

Pelargoniums, bougainvillea and lavender will bring a smile back to your garden.

Exotic orchids, the neon Bougainvillea and Rex Begonias are certain to brighten winter days

Don't despair if your green thumb turns a nasty shade of black when it comes to caring for indoor plants. You will be gratified to know that it's often not your fault -- it's more likely the tricky requirements of the plant or the inhospitable winter conditions within a Canadian house that cause your plants to shrivel and die.

Then again, it could be your fault because the natural tendency is to overwater and drown unhappy plants. Like people, plants' roots that are constantly wet or bone-dry either get mouldy and rot or become dehydrated and shut down.

Which means if you are a cursory gardener then many but, happily, not all indoor plants are for you.

You may already know that the most seductive flowering plants, including gardenias, exotic orchids (like the Lady slipper or Cattleya varieties), azaleas, hibiscus, oleander, mandevilla and bougainvillea need experienced and dedicated care.

Some need very consistent conditions. Gardenias are famous for dropping their buds and flowers if temperatures fluctuate and azaleas will droop and sulk almost immediately if inadvertently exposed to direct sun. Others need brutal mid-winter haircuts. All flowering tropical plants cannot sustain their summer abundance through our meagre indoor winters, while all need owners who are not faint of heart when it comes to insects, especially the most common of sunny pests -- spider mites and scales.

But the news is not all bad. The tropical plant world has responded to the needs of indoor gardeners by producing more plants with outstanding foliage, indestructible constitutions and reliable blossoms.

Flowering plants, including clivia, streptocarpus, the phalaeonopsis orchid, hoya and stephanotis, citrus plants and the ubiquitous African violet are all easy to care for and relatively dependable bloomers.

While the African violet, streptocarpus and phalaeonopsis will flower for relatively long periods of time throughout the year, others are less productive, but still spectacular.

The clivia (named after Lady Clive, so pronounced clive-ia) has big strappy leaves that give way to one or more single stems that bear a cluster of striking orange blooms once a year. And if you ever see a yellow one, grab it -- it's very rare and as beautiful as it is expensive. This plant likes to be root-bound, so don't repot it. And when you do, only move to a slightly larger pot, keeping it there until the container is about to bust.

The streptocarpus has soft, fuzzy leaves, much like its relative the African violet, with flowers that come in various colours, including dark purple, blue and pink. In a bright window, the dancing, orchid-like blooms are held high above its arching leaves and flowering seems to go on and on. If you keep it deadheaded, carefully watered (avoid the leaves and water from below) and moderately fertilized, I guarantee that this gem will become one of your favourites.

Some of the newest and most interesting foliage plants on the market include the newer forms of philodendron, including autumn (copper new leaves with red stems) or moonlight (chartreuse young leaves that darken to green as they mature). Philodendrons are great low-light plants, requiring some support as they grow vertically and regular wiping to keep their broad leaves shiny.

If you love chartreuse foliage, you could also try the so-called neon pothos. This is a trailing plant very similar in form to the philodendron, but would rather trail than climb. It has bright neon yellow leaves and will thrive under the most inhospitable of conditions and care. If you love the golden sweet potato vine, and grow it as an annual, this tropical version of summer sunshine is for you.

My personal favourites among easy-to-grow indoor plants are rex begonias. Unlike the tuberous or fibrous begonias, that are grown mainly for their colourful flowers. The rex varieties are superstars because of the kaleidoscopic colours of their leaves.

With names like escargot or chocolate cream, you'd think they were good enough to eat. All you need is moderate light (an east or north window; no direct sun please), some humidity (try a humidifier or place your pot on a pebble tray -- a saucer with a layer of pebbles that acts to raise your pot above a constant supply of evaporating water) and good air circulation to avoid mildew. You have instant colour in the middle of the winter blahs.

In the grim bloodbath that was Florida vs. Cold, Florida lay gasping in a pathetic shambles. Drive around, look out your window, sniff the putrid burn, and you'll know the carnage.

Grass, once green and lush, looks like dry fettucini. Palm trees have all the vitality of a paper lunch bag sprayed with starch. Leaves have the audacity to crunch under our shoes.

"It looks pretty sad," said Irene Liporto, whose pink and orange hibiscus plants are crispy and angry at the universe. Her crown of thorns have no will to live. Her pink and white bougainvillea — the prettiest thing in history — is a shadow of its former self.

"Oh, yeah, that's one of my favorites, and it looks terrible," said Liporto, who lives in St. Petersburg's Old Northeast neighborhood. "Right now, I sort of want to blindfold myself so I don't see it. It's kind of sad. I garden. I put in a lot of work."

Her pruning pal and neighbor Sue Skaggs commiserates. She has lived on Bay Street for 40 years. Her garden hasn't done this kind of death march since the 1970s, when she lost her orchids and mango trees.
Some people are frantically hosing down the brown with off-limits water.

"We've had an increase in violations in the last couple of days," said Terrie Grace, who is in charge of Pinellas County's water restriction program. The rules still apply. Same goes in other Tampa Bay area counties.
Overwatering your plants is bad anyway, experts say. For now, it's best to stand by. Don't massacre dead leaves with shears or drown them in a fit of panic. Have faith that life springs eternal.

The Old Northeast pals did a scratch test on a bougainvillea, running a fingernail over the gross brown branch. Underneath: a miraculous streak of green.

Bougainvillea is a perennial vine that can grow to 30 feet, depending on the variety. It needs full sun, is root hardy and will regrow in spring. Its bracts "bloom" May-December on new wood. Heavy pruning, lack of water and fertilizer low in nitrogen encourage blooming.

Q: When can I prune my bougainvillea?
A: You can prune hard most any time. I've known gardeners to prune bougainvillea to the ground, but you might remove 1/3 to 2/3 of the stems instead. Then snip the branches in the future to keep it in bounds.
If a freeze threatens, protect tender new growth and mulch the roots.

Many grow bougainvilleas in containers and prune hard in winter before bringing the potted plants indoors for protection. Others prune hard in spring and then prune back to the edge of the container/basket after each flowering cycle to shape the plant. Or they pinch the soft tips after a flowering cycle to encourage branching.
Bougainvillea blooms on new wood. The more you prune and pinch to encourage growth, the more color you get.

Q. How do I prune my bougainvillea?
A. Bougainvillea is a vine that drops its leaves in winter and puts on new foliage when warm weather returns in spring. Some grow this plant in containers or baskets; others grow it as a large vine with support.
You can prune the plant when and how much you like. Pinch the soft tips of young plants to promote a bushier form. After flowering, prune branches back hard, to the edge of the container or basket, to shape.

Q: I didn't cover my bougainvilleas during the freeze. Should I prune them back now or wait until the threat of freezing temperatures is past?
A: I like to wait to prune, since it usually means I start the growing season with a larger plant. Freeze-damaged wood provides some protection for live wood further down the stems. If you don't care about this, you can prune now; but mulch well to protect the roots during future cold snaps.

Q: When can I transplant a bougainvillea?
A: It is safe to transplant in winter if it can be protected during a freeze. To play it safe, transplant in spring. Be careful with the fragile roots. Mulch.

Q: Why won't my bougainvillea bloom?
A: Bougainvillea, many say, color best when somewhat pot-bound. Those planted in the garden have plenty of space for roots to stretch, giving you lots of green growth. But eventually it should color.
Most agree that the bracts color best when the plants are subjected to dry periods.

To force bougainvillea into bloom for nursery sales, growers often withhold water for up to three months. The poor plant thinks it's dying. Then the grower waters heavily, the plant thinks it has one last chance to propagate itself, so it produces a volume of flowers to launch seed for future plants.

To encourage flowering: Water and fertilize, but not heavily, during spring and summer. If a plant wilts because it is too dry, give it some water. Use a high-potash fertilizer, such as a bougainvillea fertilizer, rather than a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

Apply about a tablespoon of hibiscus fertilizer every three to four weeks. Or use a specially formulated bougainvillea fertilizer. A tablespoon of Epsom salts when you fertilize can be beneficial, too.

Stop fertilizing during late fall and winter; water only when you see a slight wilt. Large, container-grown plants can be pruned so they can more easily be stored in the garage to protect the roots from below-freezing weather. Or prune plants in early spring. Return potted bougainvillea to a full-sun location in spring and resume monthly fertilizing.

Prune long trailing stems back 20-30 inches to encourage more color — the flowers and bracts form on new wood.

Plants will flower for weeks, then rest before blooming again.

Some bougainvillea varieties benefit, too, from long nights and short days and bloom best in fall. Those gardeners who have exhausted all tricks to encourage color should make sure the reluctant plant is not exposed to light at night. You might just have a variety that is a fall performer.

What you see aren't actually the flowers. You see the colorful bracts or petal-like leaves. They hold their color for an extremely long time, which is why they are such great sale plants.

BGI Select Soil for Bougainvillea



BGI Select Bonsai Soil 2lb



Professional Bonsai Soil Mix 2lb




Tropical / Subtropical Mix for Bonsai 2lb



Conifer Soil Mix for Bonsai 2lb



Red Akadama Japanese Bonsai Soil 2lb



Brown Akadama Japanese Bonsai Soil 2lb



Kyoto Moss Spores

Bougainvillea bracts are carefully pressed at the peak of their vibrancy, encapsulated in clear resin, and polished to a supreme finish, making them water-proof and durable.

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Earrings are lightweight and vary in size, but are on average 1.5"H X 1"W.

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