Water deeply, then let the soil dry between waterings. Drought tolerant once established; young plants and containers need more frequent watering during Phoenix summers.
A vigorous, thorny bougainvillea vine with green foliage and showy, papery pink bracts surrounding tiny white flowers; well suited to warm, protected Phoenix gardens.
Non-toxic (thorns cause mechanical injury; sap may irritate skin)
Care Instructions
Light: Full sun; at least 6 hours daily for strong flowering. Light afternoon shade can help in especially hot, reflected-heat locations.
Water: Water deeply, then let the soil dry between waterings. Drought tolerant once established; young plants and containers need more frequent watering during Phoenix summers.
Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline soil but struggles in waterlogged clay. Use raised planting areas where drainage is poor.
Mature size: Typically 10–20 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide with support in favorable conditions; pruning and frost can keep it smaller.
Bloom: Repeated flushes from spring through fall, sometimes into winter in frost-free locations; flowering may slow during extreme summer heat.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may become partly or fully deciduous during Phoenix cold spells or drought.
Growth rate: Fast during warm weather with adequate moisture.