Bougainvilleas are the perfect way to add an exotic touch to your garden. Find out how to grow, train and care for them to ensure your garden bursts with colour all year long.

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Bring bold colour and timeless charm to your garden with bougainvilleas! These plants are all about impact, giving you that tropical, exotic feel with effortless elegance. Thanks to advances in hybridising and growing techniques, bougainvilleas are more versatile than ever, making them a perfect addition to gardens large and small.

Their uses are endless. Plant them as hedges or screens for privacy and security, thanks to their thorny nature. Or, plant low-growing varieties as vibrant borders and edging.

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If you’re working with limited space, bougainvilleas thrive in pots and hanging baskets, adding bright splashes of colour to patios, balconies and poolside areas.

Bougainvilleas love full sun and well-drained soil. While they thrive in warm, subtropical climates and can tolerate drought, they can also grow in frost-prone areas if protected with frost cover during colder months.

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A planting tip for success:

Bougainvilleas have delicate root systems, as they’re grown from hardwood cuttings. This can make them tricky to transplant, but here’s a trick to ensure success: keep the grow bag or pot on the plant when planting. Simply cut slits in the sides of the bag or pot using a craft knife and plant the entire bag or pot in the soil or container. The roots will find their way out naturally without the risk of damage.

To encourage colourful blooms, feed with a high-potassium fertilizer, like a 3:1:5 mix, during spring, summer and autumn. When it comes to watering, less is more as too much water encourages more foliage instead of flowers. Water potted bougainvilleas every two weeks. In sub-tropical areas, garden plants can rely on rainfall, while dry regions should water once every three weeks.

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Training bougainvilleas:

Bougainvilleas don’t naturally cling, so they’ll need support as they grow, whether you use stakes, a trellis or a pergola.

Plant in a sunny spot, ensuring the bougainvillea is level with the soil or container. Position two stakes about 300 mm – 500 mm away from the main stem to help support the trunk. Gently attach the stems to the stakes using soft twine or a piece of stocking, making sure not to tie them too tightly to avoid damaging the plant.

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For larger bougainvilleas, trellises or pergolas provide the perfect support, allowing the plant to grow into a beautiful, arching display. Plant the bougainvillea close to the support structure and train the stems by loosely tying them to the trellis or pergola as they grow.

As your bougainvillea grows bigger, guide the new shoots around the support structure, securing them in place as needed. Regularly trim any stray branches to maintain a neater shape and encourage a fuller, bushier appearance.

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If you prefer to grow a small bougainvillea tree, stake the central stem and allow the top growth to form a beautiful umbrella or canopy. Pinch back the tips often to encourage a fuller, well-shaped crown.

With these simple tips, your bougainvilleas will reward you with stunning displays of colour, whether they’re climbing, cascading, or standing tall as a tree.

For everything you need to grow, care for and train your bougainvillea, visit Builders in-store or online at builders.co.za.

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