Bougainvillea can thrive in NM, but watch out for winter

Q: My husband and I visited his family in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. My sister-in-law has the most beautiful pots and hanging baskets of bougainvillea on her patio that seem to grow effortlessly. We went to a nursery there, and I came home with two hanging pots for our patio. They are doing really well here, but I don’t really know much about growing bougainvillea. How do I best take care of these lovelies? — H.H., Albuquerque

A: There are few plants that I know of that can grace a patio far better than a bougainvillea in bloom. They give off such a tropical flair, and some of the bloom colors offered are absolutely stunning.

I will offer several cautions as to their care and tending, though.

First, I wouldn’t have them live in our full, bright, hot sun. They will grow best if placed in a south to south-eastern dappled light environment.

Also, they have extremely “touchy” root systems. They do not like to be transplanted and have their roots ruffled at all. When you choose to repot a bougainvillea, make sure the soil surrounding the root ball is thoroughly dampened, and plunk the whole kit and caboodle into the new soil with as little upset as humanly possible. The less you mess with a bougainvillea, the better. I would not suggest repotting this time of year, better wait until next late spring since we’re so far along into the growing season.

You will want to offer regular waterings while they are growing rapidly in the spring and early summertime, but while they are in bloom, don’t keep them really wet. If you haven’t fertilized and don’t know when the nursery last fed them, I’d go ahead and offer a fertilization now (or very soon at least), making that the last one for this year. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer to the watered pot in order to keep the plants healthy. Remember, NEVER fertilize on a plant that has dry roots.

Now, the “hard” part about growing bougainvillea in these parts. They are not winter tolerant growing here in our climate. The hanging pots, any container of bougainvillea really, will need to come inside from early October at the latest, and live in a spot indoors that will offer really bright light all winter long. Temperatures cooler than 48 degrees will make for a very unhappy bougainvillea.

I wouldn’t have them live next to a cold window or too close to a heating vent while inside. Treat them as you would a loved houseplant, not too warm, nor too cold. It’s the light that is your main concern while keeping them indoors for the winter months. More will be best.

If your bougainvillea has grown really long arms and won’t fit easily into your indoor space, you can prune them. They don’t mind having a hair-cut periodically. I don’t think you’ll want to fertilize during the dormant season, but remember to never allow the plants to dry out. Weekly waterings should be sufficient.

Next year, after the absolute last frost, you can get the hanging pots set back outdoors. Bump up the waterings and offer fertilizations to encourage new growth and bloom production.

Once in bloom you can back off the watering, just applying that as maintenance, so to speak. Bougainvillea might sound difficult to grow, but in actuality they can be grown quite well here and will live for years. Just start to think of and prepare the spots you are going to need soon in order to bring them in for the impending winter.

While you’re at it, if you’ve invested in any tropical hibiscus plants this year, you’ll need to bring them indoors for the winter too. The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, or tropical hibiscus, that is offered everywhere in the spring in these parts will not survive our winters. So be thinking about and make space for all of your more tender, although sturdy looking, plants that can’t handle the cold because even as we’re still hot weather-wise, the season changes will be here soon.

Happy Diggin’ In and continue enjoying all that color offered from your new treasures!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.