Chumasande MatiwaneNothing adds drama like a brilliantly coloured bougainvillea vine climbing up your garden wall. These tough and fast-growing plants will showcase a spectacular colour all year round. Here’s what you need to know about growing the bougainvillea.
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Growing bougainvillea in your garden
The right vine makes any garden special, and this plant is one of those vines that add just that. Bougainvillea vines are fast growers and have stiff stems with thorns covered in heart-shaped leaves.
These thorny vines are climbing machines and will climb your walls immediately as they grow adding privacy to your yard. They can grow up to 40 centimetres tall with a good support structure.
When planting your bougainvillea, you need to consider its needs. This vine needs lots of sun, around six hours of direct sun per day. Although they can grow in shady spots, they however won’t blossom the way they’re meant to.
Bougainvillea doesn’t like to remain wet for too long and can get root rot in heavy moist soil. The root systems of the plant are thin fragile, and easily damaged. Although they can bloom all year round, in winter you might see them without their colourful leaves, this is the time to pay more attention to them.
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Caring for your bougainvillea
- Prune your plant throughout the year, but especially in the late winter before the new growth cycle. Trim the branches to at least 20 centimetres.
- Don’t fertilize it. The bougainvillea doesn’t need it but you can feed the soil with good organic compost.
- Keep your vine dry. Too much water can do more harm than good. Water the plant when it needs watering.
- Train your bougainvillea plant by giving it the support it needs to grow tall.
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Although the vine can be relatively disease- and pest-free, they may sometimes be susceptible to a few pests that can be managed with care. In winter, be sure to look out for any signs of freezing your plant may encounter.
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