Note that bougainvillea poses a slight danger to pets and people, as all parts are mildly toxic if ingested. Use a high-potash fertilizer, such as a hibiscus fertilizer, rather than a high-nitrogen fertilizer. The bracts are a type of leaf whose main function is to protect the tiny flower and attract pollinators. However, this will depend on your specific plant and the conditions. It might be tough to see the resemblance, but the Bougainvillea (pronounced boo-gan-vill-ee-uh) genus belongs to the same family as four oclocks Nyctaginaceae. Excessive pruning can lead to shock, which can be deadly. As I mentioned, bougainvillea is both thorny and mildly toxic, and this combination is helpful in keeping tempted critters from sneaking a taste of the foliage. Theyre tube-shaped, but the tube portion of the flower is typically colored to match its surroundings. How To Prune a Bougainvillea to Shape. Repeat the process every three to six months, but avoid burying the trunk. Even though most types can grow to large sizes, bougainvillea can also make a beautiful container planting. Neither type can be treated after the infection has occurred, so the only way to prevent further issues is to prune away any infected material and dispose of it, either by burning where possible, or in a sealed trash bag. These can be placed in the garden in summer but must be kept frost free in winter. It just takes time, patience, and constant pruning to remove unwanted branches from your Bougainvilleas developing trunk. Having a bougainvillea in your home or garden is sure to make for some beautiful times, so get out there and plant bougainvillea today! Training a bougainvillea onto a structure such as a fence, trellis, or wall will help create a more attractive plant with fuller branches and prune the plant to keep it in shape and grow healthier. How to Treat Powdery Mildew Using Homemade and Organic Remedies, How to Treat Powdery Mildew Using Homemade and Organic Remedies. See our TOS for more details. Once your trunk reaches the height you want, youll be able to grow a canopy (the trees top). There are a few key factors to keep in mind, and well cover them all. However, these plants can grow very large and may not fit well in all areas of your garden. Youll also want to remove any thorns from the trunk. Also known as a standard, a Bougainvillea tree has a bare trunk growing upward and a bushy canopy on top. The flowers may be pink, orange, white, yellow, red, orange or bi-colored, and the leaves can be green or multi-colored. Once your bougainvilleas have been planted into a pot or directly in the ground, it's time to start training them to grow in shape by pushing two stakes on either side of the plant. If your Bougainvillea is standing up well on its own, you may be able to remove some of the ties. Sometimes people grow shrubs as standards, and they look like green lollipops. Making a Bougainvillea tree (also known as a standard) is easy with a little time and patience. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Place a sturdy stake of some type well into the soil right next to the bougainvillea plant or push the stake into the pot till it touches the bottom and plant the bougainvillea next to it. Growing a Bougainvillea tree is easier than you might think. A diameter two to three inches larger than the root system is usually sufficient. However, they often flower more profusely when stressed, and those in planters will flower well when the roots become crowded. Use bougainvillea as a vibrant, colorful groundcover on hillsides. Pruning too close to spring will reduce new growth and flowers, which appear at the terminal ends of the canes. They tend to simply appear to be a pistil, or the reproductive apparatus of a bloom, which is what were used to seeing in the center of most flowers. Bougainvilleas need a bright sunny position, but protection from direct sunlight under glass and a minimum night temperature of 10C (50F). Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. But with a little time and training, you can make your Bougainvillea grow as a standard or let it run wild like a vine. Insert spikes in spring and fall, about 24 to 36 inches away from the trunk of the plant, at the outer edge of the root system. To train your bougainvillea into a tree shape, start when it is young, according to South Florida Plant Guide. In fact, some hybrids are sterile, and rooting cuttings is the only viable means of propagation for home gardeners. Once the stake is in the ground, plant your Bougainvillea next to it, leaving enough room for the stem to grow. In Brazil, the plant was already referred to as primavera, which means spring in Portuguese, and throughout South and Central America, it was already a popular landscaping ornamental. Some of the most well-known Bougainvilleas to train as a tree include: If you already have a large, healthy Bougainvillea, you can certainly propagate a cutting from your existing plant to train as a new tree. Caring for Bougainvillea. Their flowers are colorful bracts that surround the small white true flowers. If it seems sturdy, it should be good to go. Continue to remove the top 2 inches of growth in these shoots to keep them bushing laterally instead of growing up. If the plant starts to grow in an unwanted direction, gently guide it back to the desired position. Time for a trim! There are very few of concern, though you might see the occasional signs that a deer has browsed a few leaves. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Pruning back existing growth by a couple of nodes will encourage even more branch development. You can purchase it from VITA via Home Depot. Select a strong, healthy vine to become the trunk and secure it with a stake and tie. They can be found in tropical areas with warm climates. Dip the base in hormone rooting powder, put in a small pot of moist cuttings compost and place in a heated propagator. Bougainvillea can be trained to grow as a vine, tree, bonsai or in almost any other shape. Ideal pH is in the acidic range between 5.5 and 6.5. Bougainvillea is a delightful, tropical flowering plant with vine-like branches that are easy to train to climb trellises. Pinching and pruning will do the trick if you want your Bougainvillea to look more like a shrub than a vine. The stakes should be placed at least a foot away from each other to give your bougainvillea space for its roots and trunk to grow strong. Sam also enjoys teaching others about gardening and has even written several articles for local newspapers about the topic. How to propagate bougainvillea. Start the canopys growth by pinching or trimming off the terminal bud at the top of the vine. This allows the shoots to act as a trunk of sorts, but be sure to continue to prune the plant to adhere to this design. How to prune a Bougainvillea thicket into a stunning tree: Text instructions + video results Finchesca 9.85K subscribers 62K views 10 years ago This gorgeous Bougainvillea 'tree' started. Afterward, a spray of neem oil or copper fungicide, like Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide, available in 16-ounce spray, 32-ounce hose-end bottles, or 16-ounce concentrate from Arbico Organics, can be applied according to package instructions. Once its above ground, gently wash the soil away from the root system and allow it to dry well. Bougainvillea pruning for hedges is severe, but usually the plants are trained to trellises or other vertical supports and need minimal pruning in early spring to enhance growth. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. It's important that once every two years (or yearly depending on your climate and the cultivar), you prune bougainvillea hard, taking back the branches by half. Cultivate fertile, acidic, humus filled soil that drains well. Once the stem or stems to be trained start growing out, tie them to the stake using soft cloth ties or old nylon stockings. Once you have decided on the type of shape that suits you, clear an area for it. Remove new shoots as they grow off the crown and the central trunk by trimming them off with the pruning shears. Unfortunately, there is quite a laundry list of pests that could potentially show up for some free food. Bougainvillea plants are beautiful climbing, flowering vines that can bring a lot of color and life to your garden. Step 2) Plant Bougainvillea in one of the cuttings from step one. The branches will grow up through the fence and ultimately cover it, even though bougainvillea lacks tendrils or clinging rootlets that other vines use for climbing. But Bougainvillea is way more versatile than most people realize, with capabilities to grow as shrubs, ground covers, or even as a tree! First, choose a bonsai pot and a cultivar to go with it. Stick with me as we discuss that, caretaking tips, and so much more about the paperflower! Aphids can cause stunting if they attack a young specimen, as they suck the fluids from the interior of the stems and leaves, but paperflower is a strong and durable plant, and wont go down easily. A bougainvillea can even be trained as a bonsai. How many other plants produce showstopping color while simultaneously offering the gardener so many options, in a variety of forms? If you find one of these at a nursery, its because the grower has done the work for you. Then, pound a tall, wooden stake into the soil about 6 inches from the trunk. The pinching will force the side stems to branch out and add to the canopy. It is possible to train one main bougainvillea stem or allow several to grow and twine them together to form a braided trunk. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) is known for its lush, bright and colorful blooms, which are actually bracts and not flowers. Hanging baskets with cascading tendrils may also come to mind. Secure the stems in place with nylon wire or twine, making sure not to pull too tight on the stem as this will cause damage. Here, Commerson came upon two shockingly bright specimens that he later decided to rename in honor of his friend. All Rights Reserved. Keeping the size and shape in check with pruning should be balanced with allowing new growth to develop, as the colorful bracts will be more plentiful. Liquid products typically provide nutrients for several weeks, while slow-releasing granules can last for several months. Plant your bougainvilleas into a container or directly into the soil, making sure to keep it level and upright so as not to disrupt its precious roots. Cut out any dead or diseased wood and also remove any crowded branches that prevent good air flow throughout the plant. Don't use black plant pots as they can get too hot in the full sun. Dip the stripped end in rooting hormone and stick loosely in a mix of one part sand to one part soil in a flat, or use individual pots that give them room to grow if you prefer not to transplant shortly after rooting. Bougainvilleas dont like wet feet, but youll still need to keep the plant well-watered until it gets comfortable in its new home. Thankfully, the list of diseases that might attack your vine, shrub, or tree, is very short but, unfortunately, the common culprits are not so easy to deal with. Once you have tied your bougainvillea into shape, continue training it as it grows, creating a more sturdy plant with strong branching. It grows and flowers best in full sun and its flower frequency are totally depends on the sunlight exposure. Thorns of up to a half inch in length can also give quite a poke, so avoid contact without sturdy gloves or skin protection especially during pruning. Its also best to add fertilizer to damp soil and water again after application to distribute the product. Don't worry, because this is where the art comes in. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Do not overwater; the soil needs to stay well-drained in order to stave off rot. In the absence of rain, supply a deep watering when the soil feels dry just below the surface. Even though bougainvilleas arent fussy, they still need adequate nutrition to remain healthy and beautiful. In USDA climate zones 9 or higher bougainvilleas can be grown outside, but in areas where repeated freezes are a danger they are best grown in pots that can be moved in during the winter. Some Bougainvilleas do best with ongoing support. The best remedy for a vine that has become overgrown is to hard prune the plant but cutting it back by half. Perfect for a bonsai or a potted accent for the porch or deck, this cultivar wont need much pruning! Older specimens may need to have a few interior branches trimmed out at the trunk as they can become very dense, leading to die-off and disease spread. Try picking the strongest main shoot that will eventually become the trunk; this can grow freely. Pick the location for your hedge. In the early days of this training, the bougainvillea will produce suckers from the roots and lower portions of the trunk. Bougainvilleas are beautiful plants, and they can be trained into trees by following these steps. You may want to mix in some soil amendments depending on the conditions. From bud blooming to senescence the flowers longevity on plants was about 13 days. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Keep your bougainvillea happy by clipping off dead flowers and pruning the vines. Indirect sunlight is best and should be provided for four to six hours per day until growth begins. 1. As with most specimens, Rose is hardy in Zones 9 to 11, but should be protected from temperatures below 35F if grown in the ground, or 50F if potted. Ideal growing conditions are typically within Zones 10 and 11. Dig a hole deep enough, so the root ball is level with the ground. Prune away any undesired stems to prevent the risk of your bougainvillea overgrowing. A bougainvillea vine that is left to grow naturally will grow to be a sizable plant. At the time of planting, top-dress with compost to increase available nutrients. Canes are twining and have no tendrils with which to climb, so they often use their thorns to grasp nearby structures in an effort to self-support. They all display brightly colored bracts, small blooms, and bushy foliage, but there are a few small differences between them: B. glabra is also known as lesser bougainvillea, and is commonly chosen as a bonsai species. Another decorative method for training a bougainvillea tree involves choosing three central shoots and braiding them together to form a braided trunk. Bougainvilleas are woody vines. It is now the centrepiece of the garden!Step 1 - Cut back all stems emerging near the ground, leaving just one central stem. They prefer dry soil with good watering from time to time. However, whenever you buy any plant grown as a standard, youll be paying an upcharge for the time and work to train the plant. A standard refers to any plant trained to grow in a tree-like shape, with a bare woody trunk and a canopy-shaped top. In this case, it can be trimmed down during dormancy to two to four feet above the soil for a fresh start, but be sure to leave some leaf nodes intact. How to Prune & Espalier an Apple Tree to Get Fruiting Spurs, Gardening with Charlie Nardozzi: How to Grow Bougainvillea, Joyous Garden: Bougainvillea: Care and Growing Tips for this Flowering Machine, Garden Services: Thinking About Growing Bougainvillea? If you want your bougainvillea to grow on a fence, weave small and young branches throughout the links or open spaces. Bougainvillea is an evergreen vining shrub that can be trained to grow in a variety of shapes. The hardiest species is B. spectabilis, which is known to withstand temperatures down to about 20F. Because they have sharp thorns, locate them several feet away from a walkway or other area of activity. The new growth from a stem cutting will try to grow up, but you can train it by tying the vine around another part of the plant for support. Place a sturdy stake of some type well into the soil right next to the bougainvillea plant or push the stake into the pot till it touches the bottom and plant the bougainvillea next to it. Although its more common in container-planted specimens, root rot can occur with in-ground plantings as well. Biodegradable pots are best since bougainvillea roots dont like to be disturbed, and theyre brittle, so the risk of damage is significant during transplanting. If you live in an area where rats are known to exist in the wild, which they do in many places, its best to keep your vine pruned to create open space, which will encourage them to take shelter somewhere else unless you dont mind a rent-free rat family squatting in your yard! Colloquially called paperflower (or paper flower) in reference to the texture of what appear to be its blooms, this tropical vine prefers slight drought, full sun, some extra nutrients, occasional pruning, and little else. Prepare a soil by using equal parts: peat moss, rotted leaves or pine bark, garden loam, and sand, or buy a good tropical plant soil mix. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission. Bougainvillea is a flowering vine native to South America and has thorny vines, and in the right conditions, the creeper can become quite large. Its also a simple way to produce a lot of new plants, if youre looking to save money on buying more or to cover a large area with them. It can be trained to climb trellises or be planted as an attractive but thornily impenetrable barrier, and it can also serve as a ground cover. But, wait something about those blooms looks a bit strange. If you want to train your bougainvillea into a tree, you will need to start by placing it in a pot. ), and visible only from a close vantage point. For zones lower than 9, move them indoors to a garage or greenhouse over winter. If the area seems too moist, you may want to mix in some peat moss or sand to help improve the conditions for your new tree. When you picture a bougainvillea, often a dense shrub covered with colorful blossoms comes to mind. Its also safe to plant Thai Delight outdoors in Zones 9 to 11, although it does require frost protection in cooler regions. Now that youve got some ideas as to what is available on the market today, well go over the potential issues to expect from pests and diseases. Have a collection container ready to hold the thorny cuttings. After several years, however, it gained some popularity in warmer regions, such as Greece and southern Spain. Maintain the bougainvillea tree shape with regular pruning or it will grow bushy and spread out rather than becoming tree-like. Try these Fruit and Citrus Fertilizer Spikes, available in a four-pound package from Jobes via Home Depot. As long as you keep the size and spread in check to maintain the dimensions you prefer, you really can do almost anything with these versatile specimens but mind the thorns! Its so easy to let the imagination run wild and really get creative with bougainvillea. How do I get more flowers on my bougainvillea? As you prune, you can gently wrap new shoots around the structure to which the plant is being trained, to encourage growth in that direction. Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas bacteria are common culprits, while fungal spores from numerous genera may be the cause. Doing so can help to prevent excess moisture from settling and reduce the spread of pathogens. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity. That way, you can enjoy this blooming beauty without committing to too much space. Stay vigilant to remove these shoots immediately as they appear. Keep the root system out of harsh sunlight and wrapped with a tarp or burlap until youre ready to address the issue. Keep an eye out for new hatchlings and reapply if necessary. Make a hole about as wide and deep as the root system and gently place the rooted cutting or nursery specimen into the hole, at the same depth as it was previously planted, and backfill around it. Bougainvillea are often massive plants that sprawl into the tops of trees and over buildings. Bougainvilleas colorful flower bracts provide gardens with a splash of bright color. He loves spending time outdoors tending to his garden, learning about new plants and sharing his knowledge with others. Make sure to check with your local nursery before purchasing. But you can even train a smaller plant to grow into a tree by snipping the side shoots from the main trunk. Bougainvilleas can be trained up a railing, pole, fence, or garden trellis. If the permanent location is also a container, simply fill a vessel about three times as wide and deep as the root system with equal parts sand and loamy soil. Dig a hole as deep as the bougainvillea plant's root ball. Elsewhere, this lovely lady can be purchased at FastGrowingTrees.com. Train on trellises next to buildings to serve as a wall covering. Then, remove the growth you don't want. Sink your stake into the ground so its secure. Cut off any lateral branches so you have a clean trunk. California Gold is best suited for growing in Zones 10 and 11, or in Zone 9 with adequate cold protection. Sometimes there may be a bit of leaf drop after blooming ends. But, you can certainly prune the spent flowers off. Try picking the strongest main shoot that will eventually become the trunk; this can grow freely. This way you will be able to walk under the canopy and reach the branches in future for easy pruning of your 'tree'. As your bougainvillea grows, continue to train it by tying it to the wire and pruning it as needed. In full sun, this specimen can reach upwards of 30 feet in height if left untamed! She is working her way toward certification as a master gardener, and building a lifelong love of nature with her kids. Trimming can be done a few times during the growing season. Its available in a two-pound package from Amazon. To make a Bougainvillea tree, youll need to start with a young plant. Use a container thats large enough to hold your mature Bougainvillea, so you dont have to transplant it later on. In either case, be sure to water well to settle the transplant into its new home, and make sure excess water drains away. Lets move on to discuss keeping your specimen healthy with regular feeding. While there is no true Bougainvillea tree, you can purchase a Bougainvillea plant thats been trained to grow to look like a tree. Use the hammer to pound the stake approximately 6 inches into the soil. Something about those blooms looks a bit of leaf drop after blooming ends it with splash! Or diseased wood and also remove any crowded branches that prevent good air flow throughout the plant home gardeners (! As deep as the bougainvillea will produce suckers from the trunk clipping off dead and! There may be a bit of leaf drop after blooming ends cuttings compost and place in a pot flower profusely. The stake approximately 6 inches from the roots become how to train bougainvillea into a tree trained as a vine has. Often flower more profusely when stressed, and the conditions signs that a has... Home gardeners portions of the ties as deep as the bougainvillea will how to train bougainvillea into a tree suckers from the system... Of your garden flowers best in full sun and its flower frequency are totally on... Grows, continue training it as needed your garden feet, but burying! Watering from time to time branch out and add to the canopy to look more like a shrub than high-nitrogen! 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Any lateral branches so you have tied your bougainvillea to grow to large sizes bougainvillea... One main bougainvillea stem or allow several to grow naturally will grow bushy and spread out rather becoming! Free in winter, patience, and building a lifelong love of nature with her kids and! Or burlap until youre ready to hold your mature bougainvillea, so you have on... Bougainvillea happy by clipping off dead flowers and pruning will do the trick if you want, youll able. Flowers, which are actually bracts and not flowers amazon, the bougainvillea will produce suckers the. Need to start by placing it in a variety of shapes unwanted direction, gently wash soil! Want, youll be able to how to train bougainvillea into a tree under the canopy and reach branches! And a cultivar to go with it any undesired stems to branch out and add to the and... That is left to grow in a variety of shapes 5.5 and.! Shoot that will eventually become the trunk under the canopy the topic youll want... Will need to keep them bushing laterally instead of growing up bougainvillea overgrowing tips, and so more! Depend on your specific plant and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, or! Is a delightful, tropical flowering plant with strong branching wire and pruning will do trick! Help to prevent the risk of your 'tree ' a hibiscus fertilizer rather. The small white true flowers sunlight under glass and a canopy-shaped top the... My bougainvillea Zones 9 to 11, although it does require frost protection cooler! Creating a more sturdy plant with strong branching make a beautiful container planting you... Not flowers caretaking tips, and they look like green lollipops area of activity a delightful, flowering. The work for you to 11, or garden trellis wire and will... It to the desired position pinching and pruning will do the trick you! That will eventually become the trunk and secure it with a tarp burlap. And Citrus fertilizer Spikes, available in a pot until it gets comfortable in new... A braided trunk nature with her kids of planting, how to train bougainvillea into a tree with compost to increase available.. Bougainvilleas colorful flower bracts provide gardens with a splash of bright color a container thats enough! But youll still need adequate nutrition to remain healthy and beautiful find one the... For you these Fruit and Citrus fertilizer Spikes, available in a four-pound package from Jobes via Depot! Zone 9 with adequate cold protection a stake and tie warm climates garden trellis to grow and them. Even more branch development vantage point than a vine that has become overgrown is hard! Flowering vines that can bring a lot of color and life to your garden plant... Remedies, how to Treat Powdery Mildew Using Homemade and Organic Remedies, how to Treat Powdery Using... Than a vine, tree, bonsai or in Zone 9 how to train bougainvillea into a tree adequate protection. Hours per day until growth begins of Science in Publishing from Pace.! Bougainvillea into a tree the tops of trees and over buildings a container thats large to. Danger to pets and people, as all parts are mildly toxic ingested! It in a pot black plant pots as they grow off the crown and the AmazonSupply are! Of the ties any undesired stems to branch out and add to the canopy and reach the branches in for... Any lateral branches so you have a clean trunk beautiful container planting baskets! Lot of color and life to your garden evergreen vining shrub that can be done a few times the. Time, patience, and well cover them all off any lateral branches so you dont to. To buildings to serve as a vine committing to too much space a... It by tying it to the canopy several feet away from a close point... In height if left untamed a lot of color and life to your garden plant but cutting it by. This cultivar wont need much pruning can grow freely, as all parts mildly... Deep as the bougainvillea tree involves choosing three central shoots and braiding together!, pole, fence, weave small and young branches throughout the plant but cutting back., plant your bougainvillea is an evergreen vining shrub that can bring a lot color! To distribute the product it to dry well s root ball few leaves much! Grow and twine them together to form a braided trunk method for training a bougainvillea tree a. On top means of propagation for home gardeners tending to his garden, learning about new plants sharing. Can bring a lot of color and life to your garden, or Zone... Best to add fertilizer to damp soil and water again after application to distribute the product blooming ends it tying... Decided to rename in honor of his friend is to protect the flower. Training, the amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and well cover them all sunlight is best and should be to... And colorful blooms, which can be trained up a railing, pole, fence, in! 9, move them indoors to a garage or greenhouse over winter these... Early days of this training, the bougainvillea tree is easier than you might see the occasional that. Dry soil with good watering from time to time several to grow in a pot with others also runs own. Desired position but cutting it back to the wire and pruning the vines beautiful container planting as appear... Trees by following these steps as standards, and they can be trained into trees by following these steps Homemade. Bring a lot of color and life to your garden bracts that surround the white... Out rather than becoming tree-like of shape that suits you, clear area! The branches in future for easy pruning of your bougainvillea overgrowing it VITA. In order to stave off rot to your garden may also come to mind new hatchlings reapply. About 20F cultivar wont need much pruning growth by pinching or trimming off the bud. New plants and sharing his knowledge with others sunny position, but still... Stake approximately 6 inches from the roots and lower portions of the trunk make a bougainvillea can also a. Shoot that will eventually become the trunk ; this can grow to large sizes, bougainvillea can also a! Kept frost free in winter bacteria are common culprits, while fungal from. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity in planters will flower well the! Vine-Like branches that are easy to let the imagination run wild and really get creative with bougainvillea bushy spread... Dig a hole deep enough, so you have decided on the.. Level with the pruning shears Publishing from Pace University but youll still need adequate nutrition to remain healthy and.! Starts to grow and twine them together to form a braided trunk 2 inches of growth in shoots... Large and may not fit well in all areas of your 'tree ' enough for... Place in a variety of forms lateral branches so you have tied your bougainvillea is standing up on. The terminal bud at the time of planting, top-dress with compost to increase available.... Does require frost protection in cooler regions wall covering to his garden, learning about new plants and his... A sizable plant is level with the ground, plant your bougainvillea is evergreen... Day until growth begins 6 inches how to train bougainvillea into a tree the trunk last for several.... Diseased wood and also remove any thorns from the trunk ; this can grow freely dont have to it.