An upright, shrub-form bougainvillea that stands on its own without a trellis. Its magenta-pink bracts cluster tightly along stiff stems, giving it a torch-like look that is very different from the sprawling vine types. It loves Phoenix heat and asks for little water once established.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. Once settled, it prefers deep, infrequent soaks and should dry out between waterings. Like other bougainvilleas, it does best on the lean side; too much water mostly pushes leafy growth.
Pruning
It grows quickly and wants to reach its full height, so give it room rather than fighting it with constant trimming. Do heavy shaping or renewal pruning in spring, once the danger of frost has passed. Wear gloves, since older stems carry thorns.
Cold
A hard frost can kill back much of the top growth. Leave the damaged stems in place until new growth appears in spring, then cut back to live wood. Plants usually regrow quickly from the base.
How our designers use it
A freestanding accent
Its upright, columnar form brings bougainvillea color to spots where a sprawling vine would not fit or where there is no wall to climb.
Hot, reflected spots
It handles west walls, gravel beds and other hot exposures that would scorch softer shrubs.
Large containers
It does well in big pots on a sunny patio, where it can be covered or moved on cold nights.
Good to know
Around the pool
It drops less bract litter than most bougainvilleas, but some papery bracts will still blow around. Keep it a few feet back from the water and from walkways, since older stems have thorns.
