
Can you grow bougainvillea in South Carolina?
In most of South Carolina (Zones 7 and 8), they can be grown as houseplants, in greenhouses and as container plants. They can also be grown in the landscape if treated as an annual. Outdoors, bougainvilleas should be in full sun (no shade) and in a well-drained soil with a pH of just over 6.0.
Is bougainvillea an evergreen climber?
These evergreen climber plants hail from South America where the weather is toasty, so it's no surprise that bougainvillea does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 and above. But this colorful climbing shrub has lots of surprising (and even amazing) characteristics.
Will a Bougainvillea grow in Zone 9?
Bougainvilleas are vigorous and respond well to pruning and as a result they often are utilized as hedges in more tropical areas. They are extremely drought-resistant and thrive in almost any soil type that does not stay constantly wet. They thrive in USDA Zone 10, but will survive in Zone 9 if protected.
How many species of bougainvillea are there?
While there are a number of species of bougainvillea ‒ some deciduous, some evergreen ‒ only three are used widely in cultivation. All species of bougainvillea are thorny shrubs in the Nyctaginaceae, the (four o'clock) family of plants.

How far north can you grow bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea thrive in Hardiness Zone 9 and up. In areas where temperatures fall below 30° F. bougainvillea are treated as annuals, and brought indoors to winter-over.
Can bougainvillea grow in cold weather?
Bougainvillea is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11. It can withstand a light freeze but deep freezes will kill the roots. In areas below those zones, a bougainvillea in winter should be kept in containers and moved indoors.
What is the highest temperature a bougainvillea can tolerate?
Bougainvillea is a relatively hardy plant, able to withstand a range of temperatures, from tropical highs of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and above, all the way down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can bougainvillea withstand snow?
Can bougainvillea survive frost? See the answer to the 1st question. Yes, as long as there aren't consecutive nights below 30F. My survived a light freeze 2 winters ago & a couple of freezes last winter.
Will bougainvillea come back after freeze?
Will my bougainvillea grow back after freeze? If it's only a few nights & they're not consecutive, it most likely will. The foliage & branches will get hit (like mine) but new growth will appear.
Do bougainvillea come back every year?
Answer: Bougainvillea blooms twice per year: spring and fall or early winter. The colorful bracts will fade when spent, then will brown and drop to the ground.
How cold is too cold for bougainvillea?
32F.What is the Lowest Temperature Bougainvillea can Tolerate? The sweet spot for bougainvillea is above 32F. Anything below that will cause light or extensive damage.
What is the hardiest bougainvillea?
Barbara KarstBougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' is one of the hardiest varieties available, with stunning magenta-purple flowers all summer long. White and orange Bougainvilleas aren't as hardy, but will be happy in a conservatory or heated greenhouse. When planting your Bougainvillea in a pot, use a loam-based compost.
How do you winterize potted bougainvillea?
Some direct sunlight in the morning or evening can also be good. While it will do fine in normal room temperatures, an overwintering bougainvillea will be happier if you can keep it in a spot where the temperature stays between 45 and 55° degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the winter spot should be free of drafts.
Can bougainvillea grow in Zone 9?
The plants thrive in USDA hardiness zone 10-11, and will also grow in zone 9 with adequate protection. They are extremely drought-resistant and thrive in almost any well-draining soil.
Do bougainvilleas lose their leaves in winter?
During the winter, bougainvilleas will go dormant and shed their leaves, but they will remain very much alive if placed in a garage or semi- protected area where the temperatures do not fall much below freezing.
Can I plant bougainvillea in the ground?
Bougainvillea should be planted on higher ground or hillsides, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect. They will grow best when given enough space to spread out, and should be planted in an area that will allow them a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight every day.
How cold can bougainvillea tolerate?
32F.What is the Lowest Temperature Bougainvillea can Tolerate? The sweet spot for bougainvillea is above 32F. Anything below that will cause light or extensive damage.
How do you protect bougainvillea in winter?
Although the bougainvillea prefers temperatures over 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius), you can plant them in heat-retaining areas. If they're potted, move them to warmer spots. Also, limiting their feed and water intake, as well as pruning, can keep your bougainvillea healthy during winter.
How do you take care of a bougainvillea in the winter?
Autumn and WinterOnce flowering ends, usually in September, reduce frequency of watering, allowing the plant to become drier between watering and stop feeding.From November, water occasionally but thoroughly.Maintain a minimum night temperature of 10°C (50°F).
How do you winterize potted bougainvillea?
Some direct sunlight in the morning or evening can also be good. While it will do fine in normal room temperatures, an overwintering bougainvillea will be happier if you can keep it in a spot where the temperature stays between 45 and 55° degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the winter spot should be free of drafts.
What is a Bougainvillea?
Bougainvilleas ( Bougainvillea species) are tropical and subtropical woody vines of the Four-O’Clock family (Nyctaginaceae). They are named for Admiral Louis A. de Bougainville, a French explorer (1729-1811) who discovered them in South America. They are thorny, evergreen, and are popular for their large, colorful “blooms,” which are produced most profusely in summer. Like the dogwood and the poinsettia, their colorful “petals” or “flowers” are really modified leaves called bracts that surround the true small white tubular flowers. They may range in color from white, yellow, orange, pink, purple or crimson.
What are some of the names of the hybrids of bougainvilleas?
Some hybrids names are ‘Don Mario®,’ ‘Gold Rush®,’ ‘Jamaica White™,’ ‘Orange King,’ ‘Raspberry Ice,’ and ‘Scarlett O’Hara.’ . Bougainvilleas are vigorous and respond well to pruning and as a result they often are utilized ...
How should I care for bougainvilleas outside?
Outdoors, bougainvilleas should be in full sun (no shade) and in a well-drained soil with a pH of just over 6.0. They should be fertilized at half the recommended rate once a month with a general-purpose fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring and midsummer. Prune suckers from the plant’s base to encourage top growth. Severe pruning should be done after summer flowering (i.e., in late fall or very early spring). Stem cuttings from current year’s growth can be propagated (rooted) in a sand/peat mix during summer. Dead wood should be removed as it appears.
What are the flowers that surround the dogwoods called?
Like the dogwood and the poinsettia, their colorful “petals” or “flowers” are really modified leaves called bracts that surround the true small white tubular flowers.
How much sun does a bougainvillea need?
Bougainvillea needs at least six hours of full sun every day to thrive. Choose a place with rich, well-drained soil. Bougainvillea won't do well in soil that retains too much water, so make sure the soil drains quite well. You may want to consider adding some sand, peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite to the soil.
How to keep Bougainvillea from getting stressed out?
On the other hand, letting the soil dry out will cause the plant to get stressed out. Find a happy medium - water enough to keep the soil damp, but not so much that you leave the plant waterlogged.
How to train bougainvillea to climb a trellis?
If you want the bougainvillea to climb a trellis or wall, be sure to plant it near the structure. As it grows, you'll need to "train" it to climb the structure by wrapping it gently around the base.
Can bougainvillea be grown indoors?
Bougainvillea thrives in places that are hot and relatively dry. If you want to keep bouga invillea outdoors all year long, it's best to be in hardiness zone 9 or higher. If you're in a colder, wetter zone, you can still grow bougainvillea if you plant it in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter.
Where are bougainvilleas native to?
Plant Details. For sheer spectacle and exuberance, no flowering vines surpass bougainvilleas. Native to Central and South America, they're common in Florida, South Texas, and along the Gulf and south Atlantic coasts.
When do flowers bloom?
Heaviest bloom comes during the cooler months of spring and fall, when days and nights are nearly equal in length. Plants go dormant in summer. Both single- and double-flowering kinds are sold; double sorts can look messy, as they hold faded blooms for a long time.
Can you take Bougainvillea indoors in the winter?
Established vines with- stand light frosts, but plan to take the plants indoors to a sunny window for the winter if you live where temperatures drop below 20F. Bougainvillea's vibrant colors come not from its small, inconspicuous true flowers, but from the three large bracts that surround them.
What temperature is a bougainvillea in Zone 9?
Zone 9 achieves low temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-8 to -2 C.), well below freezing. You can opt to dig up the plant at the end of the season if it is growing in ground or simply keep it in a container. Digging up the plant will stress out the bougainvillea, so it might be best to containerize.
Can bougainvilleas be planted indoors?
That way you won’t take a chance on disturbing the roots. Plants in lower zones absolutely must come indoors. Even those in zone 9 should come indoors for the bulk of the winter unless they are in a protected location or warmer microclimate of the landscape.
Can bougainvilleas survive a freeze?
Bougainvillea is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11. It can withstand a light freeze but deep freezes will kill the roots. In areas below those zones, a bougainvillea in winter should be kept in containers and moved indoors.
