Bougainvillea ‘California Gold’

Bougainvillea 'California Gold'

Light

Water

Water deeply and regularly during establishment, then allow soil to dry between waterings. Established plants need occasional deep irrigation during Phoenix summers; containers require more frequent checks.

Size

15-25 ft tall × 10-20 ft wide with support (kept smaller by pruning or Queen Creek frost)

Habit

Mounded – spreading shrub

Toxicity

Non-toxic (spines)

Description

A vigorous, thorny bougainvillea with golden-yellow bracts surrounding tiny flowers. Commonly sold pruned as a bush, it brings tropical color to hot, sunny Phoenix landscapes.

Bloom Time

Spring through fall; heaviest in spring and fall

Deciduous / Evergreen

Semi-evergreen

Special Features

Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Growth Rate

Moderate to fast

Growth Habit

Mounded – spreading shrub

Mature Size

15-25 ft tall × 10-20 ft wide with support (kept smaller by pruning or Queen Creek frost)

Flower Color

Golden yellow to orange

Foliage Color

Medium green

Landscape Use

Container / Patio, Specimen / Accent, Trellis / Arbor / Wall

Garden Style

Hedge / Formal

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Agave, Autumn sage, Desert marigold, Lantana, Red yucca

Non-toxic (spines)

Non-toxic (thorns cause mechanical injury; sap may irritate skin)

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.

Water: Water deeply and regularly during establishment, then allow soil to dry between waterings. Established plants need occasional deep irrigation during Phoenix summers; containers require more frequent checks.

Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline soil but struggles in soggy or poorly drained sites.

Mature size: Typically maintained at 4–6 feet tall and wide as a bush; unpruned, supported stems can reach 15–20 feet or more.

Bloom: Repeated flushes from spring through fall, sometimes into winter in frost-protected locations.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may drop leaves during cold weather or drought in Phoenix.

Growth rate: Fast in warm weather with adequate moisture.