Bougainvillea is a plant widely in Florida for it’s floral color. It is a short day bloomer, meaning the amount of flowers will increase as we head into winter. This also makes it an excellent choice for our snowbird friends ,whom are here in Florida during those months. There are varieties that are more like a vine and have a tendency to climb. There are also some newer varieties that make for a great hedge such as the “Miss Alice” variety, which is also thorn-less as well as dwarf varieties perfect for a small setting.
What comes as a surprise to most people is how little water these plants need. More often than not a sick bougainvillea will be a result of too much water. While we can’t control the rainfall a good suggestion would be to make sure your Bougainvillea does not receive too much water from your irrigation system. This practice accompanied with adequate amounts of fertilizer will help to ensure a healthy flowering plant. Also be sure not to prune the plant heavy just before winter as the terminal ends of established branches provide the flowering color.
