Page 35 - Boardwalk Meander Issue 3

GARDENING

vailable in red, purple/
mauve, white, yellow,
orange, magenta and
many shades of pink,
Bougainvilleas are
Astunning but rather
sensitive when young.
As ‘adolescents’ they have easily damage-
able, brittle root systems. When planting,
wet the soil thoroughly before transplant-
ing from the nursery bag or container. Do
not loosen the soil away from the roots
during this process to avoid transplant
shock.
Top tip: Bougainvilleas love warm, sunny
spots with well-drained, rich, loamy soil.
They prefer infrequent but deep watering.

STYLING AND TRAINING
Bougainvillea plants are essentially
creepers but with nifty pruning, they can
be trained to grow into several styles and
shapes, for example neat formal hedg-
es using mesh or wooden trellises. In
smaller gardens, they can be controlled by
frequent pruning and even styled into ball
shapes called superballs or standards.
Depending on the size of the ball or the
height required, bold columns can also be
created and are real show-stopping décor
elements.

Top tip: Choose low-growing varieties and
experiment with hedging styles and wall
cover-ups. Remember to tie down the
plants with string while still in training
school.
and remember that the pot’s
PRUNING size will also affect the size
Pruning should be carried out once your of the plant’s growth.
Bougainvillea has finished flowering. This
encourages new growth upon which the Top tip: Try special con-
next flush of flowers will grow. A good gen- tainer growing Bougain-
eral rule is that regular, light pruning will villea varieties such
keep them in good shape with near-con- as vera purple/white,
stant regrowth and blooms. Pruning also flame, ruby and rijnstar.
helps reduce disease and extends the life
of the plant. Pruning during winter will set FEEDING, FROST
the tone for the new season and give the AND PESTS
plant a great head start. A balanced foliar fertiliser
can be applied every four
Top tip: Pinch off tender ends that are weeks during the grow-
about to bloom to promote denser, bright- ing period. Alternatively, a
er flowers. slow-release 3:1:5 fertiliser
every two to three months is
CONTAINERS AND INDOORS also good. Ask your nursery for
Bougainvilleas will also thrive in contain- advice and recommendations on
ers if the potting mix is well-drained and feeding solutions. Another great thing
nutritious and receives infrequent but about Bougainvilleas is that they are virtu-
deep watering. They need as much sun ally disease-free, provided they have lots
TEXT AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIFE IS A GARDEN as possible but will tolerate some shade of sunlight. During winter in particularly with the variety of organic and chemical
cold regions, a frost cloth should be used
pesticides available at nurseries.
WWW.LIFEISAGARDEN.CO.ZA during the day. When growing indoors, for protection, but they are generally quite
choose a spot that receives some sun
and is always well-lit. Prune indoor resistant and grow back well. Remember to mulch around all Bougain-
plants regularly and be careful not to villea beds and containers to retain soil
overwater them. When selecting your Top tip: Look out for aphids and red spi- moisture and reduce weed growth. Follow
container, look for pots with plenty of der mites that may spawn during spring. these tips for best results and may your
drainage holes (don’t forget the saucer), Fortunately, these are easy to take care of growing journey be successful!

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Boardwalk Meander Estate Issue 3 · 2024