Hi Dave, really sorry to say that having survived a mild winter, it didn't survive last winter which was colder. There was a spell of sharp frosts which lasted about a week and I think that was too much for it. it was well fleeced but in retrospect we should have protected the roots with straw/old carpet maybe. We have a couple in pots which we'll bubble wrap up and leave in the greenhouse over winter. The climber we've changed to a trumpet vine which is a bit hardier. I recon we could try again but the lesson would be to protect the roots well. They do thrive during the summer months.
@Barney76 I'm so sorry you lost your Bougainvillea, as you had it so beautifully and expertly trained on your fence.. There used to be a grower in Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex who specialised in these plants but I don't think, even there, that he grew them outside.. I used to live nearby..
I hope you try again... of course they are weeds in warm climates, but I loved seeing them growing wild over hedgerows, like honeysuckle does here, in Los Angeles, moreso where all the stars and celebrities lived, like the late Elizabeth Taylor etc.. ..but I think the most spectacular is to be found along Brisbane's South Bank Parade Arbour, which is 1 kilometre long - I've walked all the way under it, as it makes its way snake like through the very modern setting.. one of the wonders of the modern world I felt at the time.. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-pedestrians-in-a-bright-floral-scene-on-south-bank-brisbane-queensland-100070796.html
@Barney76 Been looking for this thread for a while now - lost track of it! Sorry to hear about the loss of your Bougainvillea, especially as it was doing so well. As you've said probably the earth in the pot got too cold. I bought mine indoors in the end, which is fine this year as they're only a foot tall at the moment. I'm watering them once a week with only a little and they've retained their leaves and there's new shoots growing at the minute. In the sun today it was probably around 10-12 degrees so put them out for a few hours and gave them a decent watering. Has been mild in Essex, only a handful of frosty mornings. It's interesting to see that in places like Texas USA where they've had some real cold snaps (2 weeks of sub zero weather) the bigger plants seem to lose 50% of their growth, but then bounce back once the summer comes. I wonder if they had consistently cold winters that would have a more detrimental affect?
@Marlorena Interesting to hear that the good example you knew of in Bexhill you suspect was taken indoors over winter. I reckon that's what I'll be doing. I've got two small plants that have already grown 12" since January so are around 24" at the moment, they've been indoors since October and have already flowered having made a start in February. They were out last night and the temp got down to about 6 degrees and they looked ropey in the morning. I brought them back in and they then perked up again in a couple of hours. I'll be keeping them indoors over night until the temp is consistently 10 degrees. I reckon I can accommodate 2 nine foot plants indoors, so that's what I'm aiming for and then prune them each year and see how that works out.
I bought one from Lidl as it's so beautiful, but I don't think I have enough sunshine where I am. I have now placed in a sunny window, away from radiators. Hoping it will be enough, but think I might be a disappointed shopper. Loved how beautiful the flower's are.
They grow like weeds in hot humid countries which don’t see frost. They look lovely especially when they arch, I was tempted but I wouldn’t try them here.
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I'm so sorry you lost your Bougainvillea, as you had it so beautifully and expertly trained on your fence..
There used to be a grower in Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex who specialised in these plants but I don't think, even there, that he grew them outside.. I used to live nearby..
I hope you try again... of course they are weeds in warm climates, but I loved seeing them growing wild over hedgerows, like honeysuckle does here, in Los Angeles, moreso where all the stars and celebrities lived, like the late Elizabeth Taylor etc..
..but I think the most spectacular is to be found along Brisbane's South Bank Parade Arbour, which is 1 kilometre long - I've walked all the way under it, as it makes its way snake like through the very modern setting.. one of the wonders of the modern world I felt at the time..
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-pedestrians-in-a-bright-floral-scene-on-south-bank-brisbane-queensland-100070796.html