Plant Finder

Moana Nursery High Desert Plant Finder & Guide

Description:

A spectacular, slow growing tree form of the genus, presenting masses of large, fragrant, lavender-pink blooms appear year-round, over rich, dark green foliage; thornless branches with an upright, free standing habit; best color in full sun

Ornamental Features

Tree Bougainvillea features showy clusters of fragrant hot pink round flowers with lavender overtones held atop the branches from mid winter to late fall. It has dark green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy pointy leaves remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Tree Bougainvillea is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Tree Bougainvillea is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• General Garden Use
• Topiary
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Tree Bougainvillea will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America.

Tree Bougainvillea is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, this plant may be too tender to survive the winter if left outdoors in a container. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.