About
This vigorous climbing plant features semi-glossy leaves that can reach lengths of up to 13 cm. During the summer, it produces flowers characterized by papery bracts in a magenta hue. Bougainvillea glabra thrives in a temperate glasshouse or conservatory; however, potted specimens can be relocated outdoors during the warmer months.
About the genus
Bougainvillea consists of climbing evergreen shrubs that may have thorns. They feature simple, oval-shaped leaves and bear clusters of small tubular flowers, each surrounded by three vibrant, oval bracts.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Native to
- Brazil
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant in large pots of peat-free, loam-based compost, or directly into the conservatory border. Bougainvilleas need a bright position but protect them from direct summer sun. Containerised plants can be moved outside for summer. Increase watering from spring as the plants start back into active growth and apply a balanced liquid feed until the bracts show colour, then switch to a high potassium feed. Decrease watering and cease feeding in autumn. Maintain a minimum night temperature of 10°C. See bougainvillea cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- See pruning group 12
- Propagation
- Propagate by layering in early spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings with bottom heat in winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free