COMMON NAME:
► Bougies, Dwarf Bougainvillea
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
► Bougainvillea
GROWERS HINTS:
► A bundle of color, Bambino™ is the baby that happily does not grow up. A bougainvillea you don’t have to prune to keep it from taking over your house! A Bougainvillea you can keep happily in a medium sized container! (Or plant it in the ground of course.) Remember, Bougainvillea roots do not like to be disturbed or broken. See Container or Ground section below for how to plant and transplant Bouganvilleas.Bambino’s™ can freeze. If you live in colder areas either keep them in containers and move into protected areas during winter or cover with Frost Protection cloth during cold snaps.
GROWTH HABITS:
► Hybridized to stay smaller and better behaved. Grows to about 4×4 ft. If messy bracts falling off bother you, take your choice; the bracts can fall off or you can buy double flowered varieties where the messy bracts stay on the plant. Always trim back any wild growth that shoots up.
SHADE/SUN:
► Full sun
FEEDING AND WATERING:
► Water and feed in spring and summer when you want growth. Stop feeding and slow down on the water when you want flower production. You can use no fertilizer or use one with a higher middle number.
FLOWER/FOLIAGE COLOR(S):
► Some varieties have variegated leaves. Flower colors vary: white, pink, orange, and red.
SEASON(S) CARRIED AT WEIDNERS:
► Spring/summer
CONTAINER OR GROUND:
► You can keep your Bambino™ happily in a medium size container since it is hybridized to stay smaller and better behaved. You may also plant it into the ground. Bougainvillea roots do not like to be disturbed or broken. One safe way to transplant is to dig an extra wide planting hole and cut the bottom off the can. Also make a slit all the way down on opposite sides of the can. Place in hole, then fill with soil. After it is all planted you can slide the sides of the can up and out. After planting, water well.
PARTICULAR PESTS:
► Bambino’s™ are relatively pest free. The last several years there has been a Bougainvillea caterpillar attacking in summer. There are several non-toxic sprays, Bt and Captain Jack’s spinosad spray, are both approved for use on caterpillars.
