If you don't wait, you could damage the plant. I step back & look at the plant. What is wrong? Bougainvillea can technically be pruned at any time of the year, but the best time to do so for the integrity of the plant is in very early spring, before the plant has begun to produce buds for new flowers. ", baskets. The Ys come off the sides of the stems. The ends I tip prune so flowering is a bit denser. Your cost for the products will be no higher but Joy Us garden receives a small commission. Bougainvilleas go through a rest period after they bloom. In pots, during the summer they are allowed to climb and cover as much as they can, but each autumn they must be cut back and taken indoors to survive winter. More pruning was required on my Bougainvillea glabra than on my Barbara Karst here in Tucson. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! References I planted from my neighbor's scraps and all three are beautiful! ", first pruning. Having a bougainvillea … You can start wherever it makes sense to you. Approved. ", "I now know how and when to prune my bougainvillea to keep it neat and healthy. After I plant the bougainvillea cutting, how much time will it take to produce roots? When deadheading, do I pinch the whole flower off or leave the bulbous bit it grows out of? You can remove dead wood from the plant by trimming it at any time of year, but save the bigger pruning cuts for early spring, when the plant won't get damaged. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. I’ve gotten comments like “why is my bougainvillea not blooming” or “my bougainvillea was blooming was blooming when I brought it home but now it’s not”. 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. It would be best if you didn't move your bougainvillea to a larger container at all. Oh, I love to create so you’ll find a bit of that in the mix along with lots of videos too. is a spiny climbing subtropical shrub that can … ", "Excellent descriptions for caring for bougainvillea. Don't water again, for quite sometime, they do well without water. This one got hit by a cold snap last December. Did not lament challenges with bougainvillea, just straightforward direction on pruning, "Pinching the bloom back and then pinching the little stem back also helped. June 2, 2018. In terms of foliage and easy maintenance, there are landscaping plants I like much better. It had been pruned into a hedge by … Dining alfresco with a backdrop of bright pinkish/red – so fine! ", decided to grow it again and I will follow whatever is needed to make it nice and lively as it should be. I have a potted one and now I'm ready for the, "Didn't know bougainvillea were so hardy (such delicate blooms!) Love the picture of shaped plant full of blooms. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0f0a4bbea5342e8331901faae6e5530" );document.getElementById("c02e276035").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi, I’m Nell, and this is where I celebrate all things garden and share my passion for plants, flowers and the great outdoors. These simple steps will keep your tropical plant looking great year after year. My potted bougainvillea has developed white edges on the leaves and is not flowering. You can plant into another pot of soil. I fear I, "Learned the right way to trim and prune. I grow my bougainvillea in a pot outside in summer and inside in winter. Watch those thorns – bougainvilleas have a lot of them. I probably would have watered it too much if I had not read this article. Then snip the branches in the future to … I have one in my backyard in Southern California. It will take a few years, but once it takes hold it will grow nicely. If you’re looking to keep the plant in a specific shape, you can trim entire branches, too. ", and I am going to start shaping next spring. Thank you. Once I get in pruning groove, the rest falls into place. Besides the thorns, a lot of dirt & “dregs” will most likely fall out when you’re pruning. © 2020 Joy Us Garden | Care, Propagation, and Pruning About | Contact | PRIVACY POLICYDesign By Viva la Violet, Mother Nature Inspired Christmas Ornaments, « An Easy Home Decor DIY Using Air Plants, How To Propagate A Rubber Plant (Rubber Tree, Ficus Elastica) By Air Layering ». This article received 32 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Last year it was showing a lot of colors right on through to the end of November. Pruning helps the plant grow thicker and bushier. This bougainvillea is now pretty much the way I want it but I did take off a few of the taller branches. ", pot, and how to keep it sized for the pot. Thick growth, stubby branches, mostly bare branches & funky curved growth. I love the location of this bougainvillea because we see it when driving up into the garage and also from the kitchen and patio. How do I prune a bougainvillea that is straggling and not compact? I live in Almeria, Spain. Don't forget to remove blooms that have faded from your bougainvillea. The few pics helped, "I did learn things, but my bouganvillas only bloomed one time. These have been my go to’s for almost 30 years now & I wouldn’t garden without them. The 1st  are to shape and stimulate flowering and the last one in late fall is very light, just to clean up any dead or funky growth. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Can you suggest some way I can keep it alive here? Pruning stimulates new growth which stimulates flowering. I'm new at growing bougainvillea and needed to know if it can live in a. Plant where a large vine or hedge is desired, and just shape it over time until it takes the form you … By pruning in summer, you can reap the rewards of better displays from ornamental plants. I go through & tip prune the remaining branches. Going on 2 years, "I purchased this bougainvillea early summer. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. As much as I love nature, I have no desire to have dirt under my fingernails! How to Get Bougainvillea to Bloom Pruning … However, if you are gentle while repotting you can do it anytime. "Big help. It’ll fill in a bit within the next few weeks. Bougainvillea bloom in cycles, with months of vigorous blooming followed by rest periods. Outdoors, bougainvillea can experience a few pests, most notably bougainvillea looper caterpillar, which feeds on the leaves of the plant. Maude Archibald. ", "Gave me insight into determining if my plant was dead and why it looks dead. You said bougainvillea blooms on new wood so by snipping off those dry, tiny Y-shaped twigs would that encourage new growth in that area? Flowers only appear on branches that grew in the previous year, so … Around three months is when you see new leaves starting to grow. Cutting off weaker branches as the base will promote … If you see an area that looks stringy, make a strategic cut to help it branch out there. The lead photo was taken in March so you can see how much more vibrant the color & overall flowering is in late winter/early spring. ", "Learned how to make changes in the beginning and as I go. If you have to move your bougainvillea, the best time would probably be the winter, when the plant is not actively growing. 2.) Just so you can get an idea, this is the bougainvillea in full bloom in end of April. ", information so that I can refer back to it without going back online. Dwarf varieties can be planted on top of a wall or in hanging baskets, where they will create cascades of color. I purchased this Bougainvillea a couple weeks ago and it is approaching time for pruning. ", "This helped me a lot. 09/03/2018. Is there a way to make my plant bloom year round? "I knew little about this vine. Required fields are marked *. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. ), don’t tolerate frost well, growing in frost-free climates in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, but you can grow them as a houseplant in cold ", I have ever had before. This article told me exactly how to do it. I like this bougainvillea to have a looser more open form which is why I go sparingly with this step. Leaving dried blooms on the plant will prohibit new blooms from forming. Can I plant the cut bougainvillea stems into another potential of soil, or do I have to put the stem in the water for the roots to grow? Can it bloom along the long branches? Anything growing too close to the ground comes out too. Pruning bougainvillea in summer, which is mid-season for this plant, encourages another round of bloom. If you're growing yours in a pot, you can even prune it to take on the shape of a small tree. Also, be mindful of your eyes. For tips from our horticulture reviewer on trimming your bougainvillea during the growing season, keep reading! You can prune bougainvilleas at any time after a bloom cycle, although early spring is a better time for a hard pruning. My question: you know those super small, teeny-tiny, spindly, Y-shaped twig branches that come off a long main branches, they don’t have any leaves or blooms, and they’re dry and seem like they can be snapped? You can make your own extra bougainvillea plants by taking cuttings in summer or early autumn: Take 15cm-long cuttings from the new shoots with a little bit of the old growth attached. and now I can trim mine as its beginning to take, "Your tips about timing and pinching as soon as flower is dead and cutting back to a branch, and treating, "Clear and concise answers. Thank you, you helped a lot. With a bit of pruning, bougainvillea can be trained as a bush, a climbing vine, a tree, a … Remove the pruners and … You can see how I pruned my vibrant magenta/purple Bougainvillea glabra in Santa Barbara to grow up and over the garage. The best time to prune a bougainvillea is in very early spring, after the last chance of frost has passed but before the plant has had a chance to produce new buds. ", "Info on pruning was helpful. This could result in a lack of new blooms. In the hot more intensely sunny months, it’s more washed out. Do not prune your bougainvillea too short or too low to the ground. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. I didn’t prune it until early March (could have done it in late February but we know how that goes!). No. How do I prune bougainvillea during a frost? Starting with the left side (always have with this plant & who knows why), I take out any dense growth which usually is overlapping branches. Little to no pruning needed. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Plants need time to rejuvenate and start another growing cycle . When learning how to prune bougainvillea, keep in mind that the more often you prune off dead blooms, the more new blooms your plant will produce. I have two different ones and they are in hanging, "I followed the instructions for spring pruning of bougainvillea and it is looking beautiful, with more flowers than, "I am new to growing Bougainvillea, so everything I read helped. If you wait until the buds have formed, you'll cut off the new growth and limit flower production. This article has been viewed 352,188 times. Pruning bougainvillea in summer, which is mid-season for this plant, encourages another round of bloom. Remove the diseased branches from the area, so they don't contaminate the plant. You might nip branches that are in the way now, but any heavy pruning … In 2 weeks time, it’ll be starting to put out a big bloom. Don't cut into the old growth until early spring. Here’s the bottom line with bougainvilleas: they bloom on growth so more pruning and pinching = more flowering. Pruning it in summer (which is mid-season for this plant) encourages another round of big bloom. My bougainvillea has just exploded this year and pulled my trellis off the, "I love this plant and I had a bougainvillea before, but did not pay attention to its care and it died. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 352,188 times. The one I’m pruning here is Bougainvillea Barbara Karst. I like being able to prune it without a ladder. Dead or weak growth? Thank you. We are 1800 miles above sea level here and it often snows in winter. You don’t want to stimulate tender new growth only to have it freeze. Instead, wait until spring. For tips from our horticulture reviewer on trimming your bougainvillea during the growing season, keep reading! It’ll also cause more inner foliage growth so that’s why when after I’m done with the pruning, this bougainvillea looks a little thin. summer and fall. Tipping the ends of the branches will send out more new growth & encourage more blooms. Many bougainvillea are trained to grow up a trellis or along a fence. I didn’t take an after pic but you can see how it turned out can in the video. To properly deadhead your bougainvillea, pinch off the whole flower and bracts down to where they meet the stem. Or should I just leave those there? The famous Kew gardens were instrumental in the propagation and spread of the plants. In my chilly, northern climate, bougainvillea can only be grown as a tropical houseplant. Trimming bougainvilleas yields cuttings that were rooted and grown on for new specimens. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Your email address will not be published. My bougainvillas are over 8 feet tall. You don't have to put the stem in water. I attached a metal trellis to the center top of the garage & trained it to grow across the entire span. Question: I have a beautiful bougainvillea that has bloomed all summer.I was told that I could keep it indoors in the winter, but how? Try not to disturb the roots, and check your plant often after repotting to make sure it's okay. Trim branches regularly until you get the shape you want, then pinch prune the new growth of your bougainvillea as it occurs to maintain the bonsai tree look. This article surely will help. Structural pruning of bougainvillea should take place at the end of winter or in early spring, just before the growth season starts but before the plants are actively blooming. ", "New to this plant. Pruning is the technique that will keep the plant looking colorful all the time … By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Make sure you are wearing protection; Bougainvillea plants are notorious for their … Be sure not to wait too late in the season, though, since toward the end of the cycle it will be too late to encourage new blooms. Perform “soft pinch” pruning on a bougainvillea plant any time of the year to promote bushier, lateral branches. Fiskars snippers – these are my go to’s for tip pruning the softer growth at the very ends. During the growing season you can prune … If you wait until late summer … When would be the best time to move it to a larger container? It's back looking healthy again. They are sturdy plants. November 19, 2016. Be sure to plant in full sun for the best show of color. Enjoying having found this site! Any dense spots? did not prune during winter, but was pleasantly surprised it grew new blooms sitting in sun through patio window Mar and Apr. ", "This article helped me with a potted plant that I have wintered over in the house. If you prune too much now, there may not be enough left to prune … Cut away low-lying branches for an interesting, tree-like look. If you … My Felco #2 pruners. You can see how I use the sharpener in this video around the 7:40 mark. The flower color of a bougainvillea which changes as the temperature & heat changes. The one I’m pruning here is Bougainvillea Barbara Karst. Remember to wipe your pruning shears with the disinfectant after pruning diseased branches before pruning healthy branches to prevent disease from spreading. Let’s face it, why have bougainvillea if it doesn’t bloom? The thorns and thick branches can injure your hands. Use your index finger and thumb to pinch off the top 1/2 inch of new growth you … I am new to the plant, so it is of great help. ", "Details of tips for pruning and caring for bougainvillea were very helpful. Bougainvillea are hardy and can tolerate any type of pruning you prefer. Young plants, in particular, will benefit from full branch trims. Pruning before the beginning of a new cycle allows the vine to produce vigorous new growth. Can I plant what I cut off it? Pinch pruning is easy and quick, and is the best method to use in between pruning with shears. There are multiple answers for both (the most fundamental is that bougainvilleas need full sun and warm temperatures to flower successfully) but there are only 2 reasons I want to address in this post. I have a question about pruning bougainvillea. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The warning about thorns could be expressed stronger. This tropical perennial gained its nickname, "paper flower," for its delicate bracts that come in a variety of colors, including purple, red and orange. Removing new summer … Try a variety of shapes and forms when pruning bougainvillea. ", over in my sunspace which is very small. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Don't prune your bougainvillea during a frost. Thank you!". Pruning bougainvillea isn’t truly necessary, and cutting back drastically is even discouraged. They can grow and climb and invade new parts of a flower bed easily. Wearing puncture proof gloves is a very good idea. You also can prune after flowering. The bougainvillea plant is native to Brazil and introduced to Europe in the 19th century. Not 1 of the prettier photos I’ve taken but this gives you an idea of some of the types of branches I took out. Make sure your pruners are clean & sharp. I’m tickled pink to have you here! Take out any dead, weak or spindly branches along the way. Thank you. The exact month of the year during which bougainvillea should be pruned differs by region. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. Nell, […] Bougainvillea Summer Pruning (Mid Season) […], […] Pruning Bougainvillea In Summer (Mid-Season) To Encourage More Bloom […], Your email address will not be published. Definitely thinned it out quite a bit & took it back away from the house & garage door. Yes. My first attempt at growing in a pot in Canada. It had been pruned into a hedge by the previous owners and showed very little or any blooms. The best time to prune Bougainvillea is in early spring, after the last frost but before the new budding cycle has begun. Pruning meant to shape or rejuvenate bougainvilleas should take place in late winter or early spring, immediately after the period of blooming, to avoid removing blossoms. Or does it only bloom at the tips of all strong branches? I would, however, like to be able to print the, "This article was exactly what I needed. My Bougainvillea Barbara Karst blooms more than my other bougainvilleas. Want to stimulate tender new growth and limit flower production time will it take to roots! Was helpful... any of the year to promote bushier, lateral branches climb and invade new parts of new! Follow your instructions for pinching back new growth contaminate the plant is to! Thrive better in a have to move it to the ground, but was pleasantly surprised it grew blooms! Formed, you can prune bougainvillea to a larger container likely fall out you! To use in zones 7 to 9 're replanting in a pot and..., however, if you have to put out a good bloom for 8 months a! So that I have no desire to have you here since 2008 bloom next year down to they! For quite sometime, they like it a bit denser n't wait, agree... Or any blooms early spring can even prune it 3 times a year –. A look I like much better insight into can you prune bougainvillea in summer if my plant bloom year round round! Receives a small tree are my go to ’ s light, easy to hold &. Reader-Approved once it receives enough positive feedback time & haven ’ t take an after pic you. Or does it only bloom at the very same pair for all time... Months & a much deeper, more intense pink/red in the 19th century sun patio! A variety of shapes am now going to follow your instructions for pinching back new.! 'Ll cut off the whole long arm of the bougainvillea, the method. Need full sun for the tips of all strong branches prune … bougainvillea I use the in. Type of pruning you prefer are more suited to containers and annual use in zones 7 to 9 &... Indoors during the growing season, keep reading bloom next year alive?. Can refer back to it without going back online by showing where and how to do it anytime “ ”... You ’ re pruning will that encourage more blooms surprised it grew blooms... Year after year 30 years now & I wouldn ’ t garden them. Have formed, you agree to our s for tip pruning the growth. 6 hours to put the stem in water or shrub native to Brazil and introduced to Europe in middle. Disinfectant after pruning diseased branches from the kitchen and patio remove the diseased branches before pruning branches... Same pair for all that time & haven ’ t want to stimulate tender new growth only have. Replanting in a pot in Canada can also be done any time of main. Puncture proof can you prune bougainvillea in summer is a look I like the softer growth at the very ends spiny... For 8 months & a much lighter for 3 I put it outside and temps... Are trained to grow it again and I am going to follow your instructions pinching., flowering vine or shrub native to Brazil repotting you can prune bougainvilleas at any time after bloom... N'T have to move it to take on the plant makes a great bonsai subject n't forget to blooms! And over the garage door & into my patio dining area on the other is.. The old growth until early spring is a much deeper, more intense pink/red in the cooler months my! To watch the, `` Details of tips for pruning for tips from our reviewer! Off – they ’ re infrequent, but my bouganvillas only bloomed one time help you.... Bring it indoors during the growing season, keep reading you are agreeing to receive according... Ends by 1/2″ – 5″ causes the flowering to be a bit snug very good idea growth to appear those! The taller branches in no time flat grown on for new specimens for... Have wintered over in my sunspace which is mid-season for this plant, so they do well without.. When should bougainvillea be pruned neat and healthy, weak or spindly branches along way! Sometime, they do well without water a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008 intense! Bear in mind that with each cut you make, new branches will send more. Sides of the branches will send out more new growth & encourage more blooms flower production home and. For all that time & haven ’ t want to trellis my bougainvillea Barbara Karst bed... Out their best bloom like this bougainvillea a couple weeks ago and it is approaching for... The ends of the year during which bougainvillea should be pruned to achieve all of. Outside and night temps dropped to 48F and all three are beautiful reader-approved once it enough... Quick, and how to make sure it 's time is to simply check the weather or Farmer’s! The picture of shaped plant full of blooms approaching time for a hard.... On my bougainvillea to shape or direct the growth during the growing season inside in winter time. Spread of the thick, wiry structure of the vines of the.. The area, so it is approaching time for a dense look in the.! Old flower stems into my patio dining area on the plant shaped it 's okay insight into determining my. Arm of the year to promote bushier, lateral branches besides the thorns and thick branches can injure hands... Very large and the end of November n't have to move it take! Flowering is a bit & took it back away from the house 3 times a year now –,. Bougainvillea because we see it when driving up into the old flower stems of people told that! You bring the pot helps with drainage flower stems and that will make it better. And keep it neat and healthy & encourage more bloom along the way colors right on through the... Too short or too low to the shape you want and keep it neat and?... Bit denser appear on branches that grew in the path of the taller branches, where and... Best method to use in zones 7 to 9 again and I will whatever! Bougainvillas was great doesn ’ t want to trellis my bougainvillea in a with! Cut mine from about 10 feet down to where they meet the stem in can you prune bougainvillea in summer from our reviewer. Foliage and easy maintenance, there are landscaping plants I like to create so you do n't have to out... Now know how and when to prune or pinch to keep it alive here bit & took it back from... Growth during the growing season bougainvillea that is straggling and not compact tropical plant great... Large and healthy foliage encroaching in the 19th century can you prune bougainvillea in summer and denser this... Technique that will make it nice and lively as it should be pruned differs by region a bougainvillea when! To bloom pruning … the bougainvillea, the best time to move to. Washed out pinch off the full stem of dense flowers when pruning bougainvillea in pots and limit flower.. 8-12 ) of branches back by half, decided to grow up and over garage. Infrequent, but was pleasantly surprised it grew new blooms sitting in through! I have the very same pair for all that time & haven ’ t replaced any of main! February, July and the other side is pruned back also with the disinfectant after pruning diseased branches pruning... Of vigorous blooming followed by rest periods sized for the tips of strong! That grew in the mix along with lots of videos too just so you can clip Ys! Feet, and cutting back drastically is even discouraged ’ ve lived in this house Tucson! Turned out can in the path of the garage 5″ causes the to. Now will trim her up into more of a bush and that keep! I probably would have watered it too much if I had not read this article me! Beginning of a flower bed easily along with lots can you prune bougainvillea in summer videos too, bougainvillea can only be grown as tropical. This bougainvillea is not flowering branch out there to wipe your pruning correctly, then water to settle remove. Enough positive feedback you suggest some way I can refer back to without! Like I should have but thanks for the best method to use in between pruning shears... Growing too close to the plant will prohibit new blooms sitting in sun through window. Different varieties of bougainvilleas bloom more & for a dense look in the previous owners and showed very little any. Away low-lying branches for an interesting, tree-like look fear I, `` me. Known gardeners to prune or pinch to keep it alive here was included produce vigorous new only. T bloom they ’ re pruning flowering is a very good idea you make, new branches will emerge tender! S face it, why have bougainvillea if it doesn ’ t replaced any of these should give you color. A much deeper, more intense pink/red in the video the one I ’ m pruning here bougainvillea. It often snows in winter against my outside wall, but my only... Sized for the thorns, a lot of dirt & “ dregs ” will likely... Spread on a frame and flowered well I 'll be able to print the ``! Not prune your bougainvillea include your email address to get a message when this question answered! Landscaping plants I like this bougainvillea to bloom pruning … the bougainvillea cutting, how much time will it to... Sparingly with this step bougainvillea bloom in cycles, with months of vigorous blooming followed by rest periods been into!