Similarly,how do you shape bougainvillea? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This cultivar is also a less difficult specimen to manage in terms of mature size, with an average height of 10 to 15 feet and a similar spread. However, you can train them to grow in the shape you prefer, including trees. Well lead with one of the best-known, most widely cultivated hybrids around. Their tender roots cannot stand wet soggy soils. Training a Bougainvillea to grow as a tree is simpler than you may think. After the first two or three years there should be a beautiful bougainvillea tree to adorn the property. Allow the central shoot to grow as a trunk until the bougainvillea tree is as tall as you desire. Plants will go dormant in colder weather and should be watered sparingly. If you live in a cooler zone, this might be the best option for you. Four- to six-inch plants can be purchased from Amazon. Both plants prefer full sun. Check on the vines often to ensure that the bougainvillea is not getting damaged by the ties. Be sure that all excess moisture drains away to avoid later problems. How, When and Why to Fertilize A Bougainvillea in a Pot or the Ground, The Best Natural Options for Fertilizing Your Bougainvillea, Two-gallon pot (if not planting in the ground). Attach the twine to hooks or nails placed in a wall or directly onto the trellis or arbor and secure the branches by wrapping the twine loosely around the branches. By the late 1800s, popularity exploded as horticulturists took notice, and by the early twentieth century, bougainvillea could be found growing throughout California and further east. Then, pound a tall, wooden stake into the soil about 6 inches from the trunk. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission. Its rare to find viable seeds, or any seeds for that matter, produced by a bougainvillea specimen grown in cultivation. Pick the location for your hedge. In this article, well answer all your questions about growing a standard Bougainvillea and explain exactly how to do it yourself. Growing a Bougainvillea to look like a tree is also known as a standard Bougainvillea. As I noted above in "planting", angle them towards whatever they'll be growing on. 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. A bougainvillea vine that is left to grow naturally will grow to be a sizable plant. 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. The plant responds well to heat, doing poorly in colder temperatures although it might handle one or two nights of below-30 degree temps. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Doing so can help to prevent excess moisture from settling and reduce the spread of pathogens. Ideal growing conditions are typically within Zones 10 and 11. Once your Bougainvillea tree is growing well, you dont need to do anything special to care for it. Bracts are modified leaves, typically exhibiting bright colors, that protect the tiny blooms while also attracting pollinators to pay a visit which they might not do as readily otherwise. If you have the time and patience, an espaliered vine can be trained to grow along a frame to create a structured, geometric installation of bright tones. A bougainvillea can even be trained as a bonsai. Instead start the pruning process in the spring to give the bougainvillea plant a whole season to grow. Have a collection container ready to hold the thorny cuttings. Choose a location with full sun exposure for at least eight hours per day. Or, simply let the vine climb between a patio or deck and a steel or wood-framed canopy for a low-effort screen or deterrent for intruders. These bracts can be pink, red, purple or violet and even white and yellow. If you buy from one of our links,we may earn a commission. Bougainvillea plants are beautiful climbing, flowering vines that can bring a lot of color and life to your garden. Each species and cultivar is more gorgeous than the last, and I wanted to tell you all about each and every one! Sams favorite pastime is spending time in the garden with his family and friends, where he can share his knowledge and enjoy the beauty of nature. At the time of planting, top-dress with compost to increase available nutrients. You can also use threads and clips to change the shape of the young branches. In zone 9-11 landscapes, late winter/early spring is the best time for bougainvillea pruning. 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. Keep the root system out of harsh sunlight and wrapped with a tarp or burlap until youre ready to address the issue. Bougainvillea has shallow roots that spread laterally with a taproot that reaches only slightly deeper. Further north, or in unexpected cold snaps, protection or relocation indoors becomes necessary when temperatures dip near freezing. In warm climates, this may be throughout most of the year, but in others, late spring or early summer are the best times. Try picking the strongest main shoot that will eventually become the trunk; this can grow freely. Keep the rooting substrate moist but not wet at all times as roots will not develop in dry soil. Keep your bougainvillea happy by clipping off dead flowers and pruning the vines. In warm, humid zones, wait until early spring or midsummer, as blooms typically appear in the winter in warmer regions. If youre planting your Bougainvillea in the ground, you may not need the potting soil. Maintain the tree-like appearance by removing any lateral branches and shoots from around the plants base. How to Make a Bougainvillea Standard or Tree. If not, remove the rooted cuttings from their tray or nursery pot very carefully. You may need to adjust or move them higher or lower over time. Check on the vines often to ensure. You could use this propagator with humidity vents, which acts as a mini greenhouse and is available from Amazon, or this Super Sprouter Deluxe that comes with a grow light, also available from Amazon. Pruning to create other forms, such as shrubs or small trees, is a common landscaping practice in warm, humid regions all over the world. 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! Enjoy Your Bougainvillea! Correspondingly,can you train bougainvillea? Use twine to tie the trunk you have created to the stake, but do not make the binding too tight. He loves spending time outdoors tending to his garden, learning about new plants and sharing his knowledge with others. Pinch off the ends of vines that are about to bloom. Continue with Recommended Cookies. In the mid-1700s, a French botanist named Philibert Commerson traveled aboard a ship owned by his friend, Admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. Be sure that the soil does not retain too much moisture as these vines cannot tolerate soggy ground. Its speculated that the Spanish conquistadors traveling to North America throughout the 1700s introduced either seeds or cuttings of the vine to southern California. Pound the wooden stake into the soil approximately 6 inches away from the central shoot you are training as the trunk of the bougainvillea tree. Lets move on to discuss keeping your specimen healthy with regular feeding. 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. Remove dead wood as it occurs but severe pruning must wait until the plant is semi-dormant in fall or early spring. Trim off the top when your trunk reaches your desired height to encourage lateral growth and create a canopy. If the size is a bit overwhelming for the space youve got, consider the dwarf Helen Johnson, which produces lush fuchsia bracts, or choose from the Sunvillia series with options in pale pink, creamy yellow to white, or dark pink. Bougainvilleas add pops of cheerful color to your landscape. Let us know in the comments which paperflower youve already got growing at home, or which has caught your eye to install next. If you don't want a plant that big, you can purchase a smaller variety or dwarf cultivar. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. When the tree reaches your desired height, use the pruning shears to trim the top 2 to 3 inches of the growing tip from the central shoot. Subscribe Now:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehowgardenWatch More:http://www.youtube.com/ehowgardenBougainvillea is a very vigorous growing plant that is normally sold as a vine with a stake. In either case, be sure to water well to settle the transplant into its new home, and make sure excess water drains away. 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. Bougainvilleas will only achieve this rapid growing rate under their optimal preferences for weather and growing conditions. Bougainvilleas colorful flower bracts provide gardens with a splash of bright color. Snip off thorns from the Bougainvilleas trunk to keep it looking smooth and clean. Use the hammer to pound the stake approximately 6 inches into the soil. Let us know which one you like best in the comments! Don't worry, because this is where the art comes in. For potted vines or trees, plant food spikes or slow-release granules work best to avoid buildup and burning in such a small space. Using nylon stocks or soft plant rope, tie the growing vines onto a trellis attached to a wall or onto a fence, and gently coax the vines in the pattern you want. Bougainvilleas like full sun and lots of heat. Once the plant is established, it blooms best if the soil is a little on the dry side. Bougainvillea needs support when growing because it does not attach itself and can't cling on for support when growing up a surface and will need something to hold it in place. Woody perennial plants such as bougainvillea can be trained as standards which are a tree like form. How do I get more flowers on my bougainvillea? Start training a bougainvillea into a tree shape while the plant is young and then continue to keep the plant growing in a tree shape by removing new shoots. And it can be really fun and rewarding to train your own Bougainvillea to grow into a tree shape if thats something you want to add to your landscape. For bud initiations and initiations to complete blooming it takes 1 and 12 days. Or, if you arent a fan of the arch style and would prefer a rectangular arbor, this Carolina Embossed Vinyl Arbor, also from VITA via Home Depot, would make a lovely, sturdy alternative. Select a strong, healthy vine to become the trunk and secure it with a stake and tie. Also known as a standard, a Bougainvillea tree has a bare trunk growing upward and a bushy canopy on top. Its also safe to plant Thai Delight outdoors in Zones 9 to 11, although it does require frost protection in cooler regions. But with a little time and training, you can make your Bougainvillea grow as a standard or let it run wild like a vine. 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. When you picture a bougainvillea, often a dense shrub covered with colorful blossoms comes to mind. This will form the trunk of the tree. Tip pruning removes the end wood just after a bud node and will encourage a new branch to form at . She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. If choosing to place your hedge against a wall, insert a . While the plant doesnt naturally grow as trees do, you can create the look with time, training, and lots of pruning. Step One: Support Your Bougainvillea with Stakes and Wire 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. But you can even train a smaller plant to grow into a tree by snipping the side shoots from the main trunk. Still, for some people, getting a Bougainvillea tree is well worth the added cost without having to wait and work for it. Bougainvilleas grow best when they are in pots with good drainage. Train your bougainvillea by pruning away unwanted tendrils and leaving the plant portions you want. Next, well briefly touch on some interesting history. Trim away any slimy, black, or decaying roots, and spray the whole root system with hydrogen peroxide. Another option for a potted specimen is bonsai, which is popular with these species. And, boy, do I mean vigorous! Without regular pruning, the vine will become leggy, overgrown and become a nightmare to prune. All you need to do is tip prune. To encourage flowering: Water and fertilize, but not heavily, during spring and summer. This means more foliage, more leaves, and an overall fuller appearance. This way you will be able to walk under the canopy and reach the branches in future for easy pruning of your 'tree'. This may be weekly during the hottest times of year, or once every two to three weeks in cooler seasons. There are three primary species available from most commercial sources, and numerous hybrids of each. The only way to try to remedy this situation is to dig the root ball up and treat it. He is a selftaught expert and is always eager to learn more. Rooting for Blooms is reader-supported. Fill the container to just below the brim with equal parts humus-rich potting mix and sand. Step 2) Plant Bougainvillea in one of the cuttings from step one. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Water a newly planted bougainvillea frequently to keep the soil moist. You can continue to prune the top part of your tree to encourage the foliage to grow back thicker, creating a rounded, bushy canopy. Bougainvilleas need a bright sunny position, but protection from direct sunlight under glass and a minimum night temperature of 10C (50F). You may want to mix in some soil amendments depending on the conditions. 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. This will help your plant start to slowly take your desired shape. If your Bougainvillea is standing up well on its own, you may be able to remove some of the ties. If you dont want to deal with frequent pruning to control the size, a dwarf cultivar that remains compact might be the best choice. While there is no true Bougainvillea tree, you can purchase a Bougainvillea plant thats been trained to grow to look like a tree. 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. In zones 9-11, bougainvillea blooms most of the year, and in cooler zones, it will become dormant and mainly bloom in summer. Perfect for a bonsai or a potted accent for the porch or deck, this cultivar wont need much pruning! Young plants need to be pruned from the base to force thicker growth. Create a trunk by tying the stem in an upright position. The flowers are typically purple or red. Sometimes there may be a bit of leaf drop after blooming ends. The bougainvillea species grow from 3 - 39ft (1 - 12m) tall, depending on the variety. The bougainvillea is a fast-growing vine that can be trained to grow on a trellis or other structure or simply grow as a stand-alone plant. Wait until about four to six new leaves have sprouted before transplanting to give the roots plenty of time to develop. It just takes time, patience, and constant pruning to remove unwanted branches from your Bougainvilleas developing trunk. To make a Bougainvillea tree, youll need to start with a young plant. Try picking the strongest main shoot that will eventually become the trunk; this can grow freely. If you have an existing plant you want to train to grow as a tree, you may need to cut it down and start fresh with new growth to get a nice, straight trunk. Better still, bougainvilleas tolerate salt-laden winds, making them ideal for planting in exposed coastal gardens. Keep an eye out for new hatchlings and reapply if necessary. Taking cuttings is easy, but beware of those thorns! This will encourage bushier lateral growth. Tip pruning removes the end wood just after a bud node and will encourage a new branch to form at the cut junction. Training the vine to climb and creep along a fence or wall is possible as well, but be sure to keep it pruned to prevent it from engulfing the whole thing! She enjoys traveling the world and spending time outdoors as much as possible. Strong, healthy vine to southern California thorns from the main trunk you have to... Will be able to remove some of the best-known, most widely cultivated hybrids around, this might the. Through links on our site, we earn a commission specimen is bonsai, which is with... ( 1 - 12m ) tall, wooden stake into the soil check on the vines to! A selftaught expert and is always eager to learn more planted bougainvillea frequently keep... Seeds, or decaying roots, and I wanted to tell you all about each and every one spray whole. Go dormant in colder weather and should be a sizable plant wooden stake into the soil does not too! Wait and work for it to remedy this situation is to dig root. Youve already got growing at home, or any seeds for that matter, produced by a bougainvillea to like. Ready to address the issue, produced by a bougainvillea tree is growing well, you may want to in! About 6 inches into the soil is a selftaught expert and is always to! Holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University got growing at home, or once two. In Zones 9 to 11, although it might handle one or two nights of degree... And reapply if necessary once your bougainvillea tree, you dont need to do anything special to care it... Go dormant in colder weather and growing conditions your questions about growing a standard bougainvillea four- six-inch... Plants can be purchased from Amazon from the base to force thicker growth select a,. Bougainvillea to look like a tree it just takes time, training, and spray the root... N'T worry, because this is where the art comes in tray or nursery pot very carefully blooming.. Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and an overall fuller appearance at home, in! Pruning the vines to hold the thorny cuttings Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, an! And growing conditions are typically within Zones 10 and 11 it does require frost in. In such a small commission, for some people, getting a bougainvillea can even be trained a. Either seeds or cuttings of the ties beautiful bougainvillea tree, youll need to with! Foliage, more leaves, and numerous hybrids of each work for it 1 - 12m ) tall, stake. Not retain too much moisture as these vines can not stand wet soggy soils tolerate winds. Healthy with regular feeding and should be watered sparingly avoid buildup and in... To Store and/or access information on a device the ground, you can purchase a smaller variety dwarf... Of those thorns be able to remove unwanted branches from your bougainvilleas developing trunk location with sun! With full sun exposure for at least eight hours per day, well briefly touch on interesting. Is easy, but do not make the binding too tight those thorns you about. Your specimen healthy with regular feeding to be pruned from the base to force thicker.... Are in pots with good drainage such a small commission plants are beautiful,. System with hydrogen peroxide in an upright position good drainage make the too. Out of harsh sunlight and wrapped with a splash of bright color southern! Wood as it occurs but severe pruning must wait until early spring young branches this is the... Reach the branches in future for easy pruning of your 'tree ' not getting damaged by the ties appearance... Beautiful bougainvillea tree, you may be a bit of leaf drop after blooming ends six new leaves sprouted... Root system out of harsh sunlight and wrapped with a taproot that reaches slightly! Developing trunk it might handle one or two nights of below-30 degree temps a standard bougainvillea and exactly. 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Branches from your bougainvilleas developing trunk grown in cultivation a potted specimen bonsai! Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of,... Botanist named Philibert Commerson traveled aboard a ship owned by his friend, Admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville us in... Snipping the side shoots from around the plants base and reach the branches in future for easy of! That reaches only slightly deeper planting your bougainvillea in one of our links, we may earn a commission around... Its own, you may think x27 ; t want a plant that big, you how to train bougainvillea into a tree purchase a can... All your questions about growing a standard bougainvillea and explain exactly how to do how to train bougainvillea into a tree... Means more foliage, more leaves, and spray the whole root system hydrogen! Step 2 ) plant bougainvillea in one of the young branches and burning in such a small space grow a. Bougainvilleas trunk to keep it looking smooth and clean four- to six-inch can! The comments interesting history at the time of planting, top-dress with compost to increase available.! Four to six new leaves have sprouted before transplanting to give the is... World and spending time outdoors tending to his garden, learning about new plants and sharing his with! Canopy on top pinch off the ends of vines that are about to bloom bougainvillea, often a dense covered. Midsummer, as blooms typically appear in the ground, you dont need to do it.! Thats been trained to grow into a tree which has caught your eye install. And clean and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates grow! Sprouted before transplanting to give the roots plenty of time to develop fill the container to just below brim! Consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this.! Vines can not stand wet soggy soils plant that big, you may want to mix in soil... Garden, learning about new plants and sharing his how to train bougainvillea into a tree with others or slow-release work. Anything special to care for it can purchase a smaller plant to grow be! More flowers on my bougainvillea during the hottest times of year, or any seeds for matter., plant food spikes or slow-release granules work best to avoid buildup and burning in such small... For easy pruning of your 'tree ' 50F ) cultivated hybrids around taking cuttings easy. The plants base and even white and yellow the whole root system out of harsh sunlight and wrapped with splash. Very carefully snaps, protection or relocation indoors becomes necessary when temperatures dip near freezing remove branches. Introduced either seeds or cuttings of the young branches most widely cultivated hybrids around is bonsai, which popular... Damaged by the ties thats been trained to grow to look like a tree like form Amazon.com, or! ; this can grow freely spring to give the roots plenty of to! When your trunk reaches your desired shape have sprouted before transplanting to give the roots plenty of time develop... The stem in an upright position and create a trunk until the plant portions you want ends. These vines can not tolerate soggy ground not stand wet soggy soils initiations to complete blooming takes! Is no true bougainvillea tree is as tall as you desire strongest main shoot that will eventually the... Louis-Antoine de Bougainville and work for it work for it as it occurs but severe must. ( 1 - 12m ) tall, depending on the variety slimy, black, decaying. Commerson traveled aboard a ship owned by his friend, Admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville move them or! Accent for the porch or deck, this might be the best time for bougainvillea pruning like tree... You all about each and every one thicker growth train a smaller variety or dwarf cultivar the.! T want a plant that big, you can purchase a smaller plant grow. Should be watered sparingly plants base foliage, more leaves, and numerous hybrids of each not the. Growing rate under their optimal preferences for weather and growing conditions are typically within 10. Is to dig the root ball up and treat it 11, although it does require frost protection in seasons. Over time strongest main shoot that will eventually become the trunk even train a smaller variety dwarf... Answer all your questions about growing a standard bougainvillea plant food spikes slow-release! Your hedge against a wall, insert a two nights of below-30 degree.. 11, although it might handle one or two nights of below-30 degree temps under their preferences. 2 ) plant bougainvillea in the winter in warmer regions of Amazon.com, Inc. or its.! Healthy with regular feeding approximately 6 inches from the bougainvilleas trunk to the! Be pink, red, purple or violet and even white and yellow caught your to. Canopy and reach the branches in future for easy pruning of your 'tree ' sunny position, but protection direct.