How to Prune a Bougainvillea Shrub
The bougainvillea is a medium to large shrub that sometimes develops into a small tree if left unpruned. The plant has thick, green leaves and produces an abundance of vibrant-colored flower blossoms in spring, summer and fall. The bougainvillea shrub is a tropical plant that grows outdoors only in U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 9 and above. You should the bougainvillea to control plant height, as well as to encourage additional flower blooms to develop. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prune off the longest bougainvillea stems once per year at the beginning of summer using pruning shears. Make the cut 1/2 inch from where the branches attach to the main stem. If the branch grows directly from the ground, prune it off 1/2 inch above the surface of the soil.
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Stand back and look at the overall shape of the bougainvillea shrub once per year, and identify any limbs that are growing outside the desired shape or hanging over walkways or other undesired areas. Prune these entire limbs off 1/2 inch from the trunk or the ground.
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Look for dead branches that are brown or lack leaves, and cut them off 1/2 inch from the main trunk or from the ground using pruning shears. In addition, cut off any branches containing diseased leaves, such as those with black or white spots. Prune off dead and diseased branches throughout the year as needed.
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Look for short shoots that are new growth and appear a lighter green than the other branches. Cut these off 1/2 inch from the tip of each branch, using the pruning shears, to encourage the bougainvillea to develop additional blooms. You can perform this type of pruning throughout the year.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of using pruning shears to remove the tips of new growth, you an pinch the tips off with your index finger and thumb.
References
- Photo Credit bougainvillea image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
