The Mid-Size Bougainvillea Variety That Won't Take Over Your Landscaping

A stunning bougainvillea that's in full bloom and displaying its colorful bracts is a sight that will almost take your breath away. These imposing vines will certainly dominate the landscape and their brilliance ensures they take center stage in any garden setting. The only problem is that they grow quite large, requiring a strong trellis to support them. And, when it comes time to give one a trim, you'd better watch out for those sharp and unyielding thorns that will grab you and threaten never to let go. While these drought-resistant plants will thrive without much water, their overabundant growth might just take over your garden if you're not careful.

If all this doesn't scare you, you can grow these magnificent plants in your yard if you live in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 10 as they are a tropical species that loves the heat. But, if the thought of trying to keep one of these beauties under control intimidates you because you're worried about it taking over your landscaping, there's a much more manageable solution — a dwarf hybrid known as 'Pixie Queen'. This mid-size bougainvillea variety only grows to a maximum height of around 3 feet, making it far easier to manage and perfect for your flower garden. It features brilliant, bright pink bracts and vibrant, variegated leaves. There's no reason you can't grow this plant in a large container to brighten up your patio or courtyard. Keeping it neatly trimmed shouldn't be that difficult, as long as you remember to wear sturdy gloves!

Growing bougainvillea in your garden or a container is relatively easy as long as you remember a few key points. These plants grow and flower best when they receive lots of sunshine during the day. You'll find that you get the most brilliant floral display if the plants are allowed to almost dry out in between watering. One of the main reasons your bougainvillea may not be blooming is that it's getting too much water. Just take care not to let them become too stressed from lack of water, as they might drop their leaves and go dormant. You should note that bougainvillea bloom on new growth, so too much pruning will result in less color. Ideally, you want to give your plants a trim immediately after they've finished flowering, to encourage new growth. A light application of organic, balanced fertilizer twice a year is recommended, ensuring it is not excessively high in nitrogen. 

There are other 'Pixie' varieties you might like to try. 'Pink Pixie' has mid-green foliage, pink bracts, and grows to a maximum height of 4 feet. There's also 'Pixie Gold' which has lime-yellow leaves as well as pink bracts, and can reach a height of 3 to 4 feet. As another option, keep an eye out for the Sunvillea varieties, which includes three varieties with either cream, pink, or rose colored bracts. These only reach a height of 34 inches. Finally, you might like this tip to help your bougainvillea bloom with a kitchen scrap you're likely throwing out.