2 days Ago By Carrington Walker
Are you hoping to breathe some life into your garden this summer but have been stumped thinking of the easiest plants to attract pollinators? The quintessentially British pastime of lounging in a sunny garden as bees and butterflies fill the air can be easily attained with a striking-yet-low-maintenance climbing plant to entice them. Bougainvillea is a plant that screams abundance even under the supervision of novice gardeners.The purple flower is native to Brazil, Argentina and other warm climate countries but is also prolific when it comes to blooming in the UK, creating bold and vibrant blotches to fill your green space.
Bougainvillea is like magnets for pollinators, too, so your whole garden can benefit from a spruce-up thanks to this minimal-effort gem. The sprawling waves of deep purple petals and striking green vines are able to stand out against any backdrop, providing a Mediterranean vibe to any UK home. To grow bougainvillea, place it in a frost-free spot room with plenty of sunshine, in a conservatory or a greenhouse that is heated in winter, to avoid temperatures dropping below freezing.
The plant’s ideal temperature during winter is around 7C to 10C but it can survive in temperatures as low as 2C if needed. During the cold weather, you may notice your bougainville shedding some or all of its leaves, but do not worry as these will regrow when temperatures rise again. These gorgeous climbers can grow to heights of 26ft with a spread of 5ft with flowering times stretching from summer to autumn.
When growing, increase water from February to March to coincide with rising temperatures and light levels for growth and re-pot in mid-April if needed..
