variegated bougainvillea plant

The gorgeous variegated bougainvillea sports beautiful bracts and colourful foliage in all sorts of patterns. A South American native, the flowering vine is a beloved ornamental in gardens and landscapes in warm regions across the globe, celebrated for being easy to grow, durable and breathtakingly beautiful. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll help you select and grow bougainvillea vines for your own home or garden, covering tips and advice for choosing the right variety, as well as optimal growing and maintenance conditions for vigorous plant growth and blooms.

Understanding Variegated Bougainvillea

What is Variegation?

The term variegation refers to that reality of nature when the leaves of a plant display various coloured zones. In variegated bougainvillea this can be seen in leaves that are green on the outside, but white, yellow or cream-coloured (or sometimes all of them) inside of it. In reality, this colouring comes to existence because of the presence of cells with and without chlorophyll, the pigment found in leaves that enables photosynthesis. What would appear to be a black lien inside the leaf, in reality is a green leaf against an immature leaf.(Flickr/Peter Schneider)The final outcome is a visually attractive plant that holds the eye when inserted at some decorative spot in a garden.

Types of Variegated Bougainvillea

There are several varieties of variegated bougainvillea, each with its own unique characteristics:

Bougainvillea ‘Delta Dawn’: It has yellow-and-green variegated foliage and bracts that range in colour from pink to deep magenta.

Bougainvillea ‘Jamaica White’: Its dramatic white marbling on green leaves gives the effect of spring blossoms on the tree long into the summer. The pure white bracts are an elegant and subtle monochromatic look.

Bougainvillea ‘Gold Rush’: Golden-yellow variegation is attractive when combined with orange to pink bracts.

All of them require similar attention, though their growth habits and appearance might differ a little.

Growing Variegated Bougainvillea

Ideal Growing Conditions

Variegated bougainvillea can tolerate a wide range of soils but enjoyed sunny, warm climates. They’re hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 where winter temperatures don’t often dip below freezing. In cooler climates, they can be grown in containers and brought indoors for the winter.

Sun: Bougainvilleas need six or more hours a day of full sun to flower abundantly. Without sufficient sunlight, the shrub will produce more leaves than bracts, which are the colourful parts, and will generally look less good.

Soil: They like well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 6.5). Good formulations include sandy soils or loam. If planting in a container, use a mix for cacti or succulents to ensure they drain well.

Watering: Bougainvilleas are hardy in dry situations and benefit from being neglected once established, but will need regular watering during the period of their initial growth, soaking the top 1 to 2ft (30 to 60cm) of soil to dry out between each watering. Young plants are particularly vulnerable to root rot and other fungal problems, and variegated species in particular are more susceptible to moisture levels, so always err on the side of caution.

Planting and Propagation

If you’d like to try a variegated bougainvillea, it will likely do well in the ground or in a container. Here’s how to proceed.

Planting in the Ground: Find a spot that receives full sun and has good drainage. Plant the shrub in a hole that’s twice as deep and wide as the root ball. Set the plant in the hole and fill with soil, making sure to tamp the soil down a bit; then, water well. Organic compost in the soil will help with texture and fertility.

Container Planting Choose a container at least 10-14 inches across with drainage holes in the bottom. Put some gravel or small stones on the bottom for extra drainage, and put the potting mix on top. Place the plant in the container at the same depth it was in the nursery pot. Give the plant a good watering, and then put it in a sunny spot.

Propagation of variegated bougainvillea is typically done through cuttings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Cut a Healthy Stem: Take one from a semi-hardwood stem (one that isn’t too young nor too old) approx 6-8 inches long with three nodes (where the leaves connect to the stem).

Plant the Cutting: Take off the leaves from the lower part of your plant cutting. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to help develop roots.

Plant the cutting: Sow the cutting into a pot of perlite and peat moss mix. Dust it with water and cover it in a transparent plastic bag.

Mind the cutting: Pot it up in a warm, bright place, but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not wet; after about 4-6 weeks, roots will have grown and the new plant can be potted up.

Caring for Variegated Bougainvillea

cut it back to keep it shaped and the same sizeit should be pruned regularly to grow properly and flower too.

Pruning: Prune your bougainvillea in late winter or very early spring so that it will react by producing fresh growth and therefore more abundant flowering.

How To Trim: Cut back stems and other branches that have outgrown their branches or become brittle and brown, withe clean, sharpened shears. You can also cut the plant back to your desired size. Don’t be too aggressive, though, or you’ll cause stress to your plant that can limit its ability to photosynthesize.

Training: Bougainvilleas are natively vining and should be trained onto trellis, fences or walls. By gently tying the branches to the support with soft ties, it will encourage the vine to grow onto the trellis. With purposely planted vines, tie the new stems in the desired direction.

Fertilizing

Variegated bougainvilleas should be fed regularly during the growing season. Use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser, but make sure the phosphorus level is higher. A ratio of 10-20-10 N-P-K works well.

Frequency: Fertilise every 4-6 weeks, spring and summer. In the fall, cut back the feeding or stop altogether. Come winter, when the plant is dormant, you can do the same.

Application: Fertilise according to the packet instructions, by sprinkling the fertiliser around the root area of the plant, and watering it in. Don’t get carried away: too much fertiliser will produce lots of foliage of flowers, nobody wants that.

Pest and Disease Management

Even mottled bougainvilleas are relatively pest-free, but are susceptible to a handful of problems:

Aphids: These sap-sucking little insects deposit a sticky on the foliage and lead to a malformation of the leaves. You can hose them off the plant or apply insecticide soap.

Spider Mites: These tiny pests like hot and dry areas and will leave yellowing leaves and webbing on your marijuana plant. You can try to raise humidity levels for natural prevention, but if that doesn’t work, use miticides.

Overwatering or poor drainage can create a wet, anaerobic environment in which root rots or leaf spot diseases can occur. Make sure that water drains away from the base of the plant and consider applying a fungicide fro fungal diseases.

Winter Care

Those grown further north, where winter temperatures can dip below 40°F (4° of winter protection. If your bougainvillea is in the ground, you can mulch up to the main stem to insulate the roots. Container bougainvilleas should be moved indoors to a sunny, cool environment and watering should be curtailed. You will need to water the plants only once a month or every few weeks. The flowers may die off in response to the lower watering, which is normal.

Common Problems and Solutions

Lack of Blooms

If your variegated bougainvillea isn’t blooming, it could be due to several factors:

Insufficient Sunlight: Ensure your plant receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Overwatering: Bougainvilleas need to dry out between waterings. Overly wet soil can prevent flowering.

Too much Nitrogen: More nitrogen shows itself as more leaves at the expense of blooms. Make sure your fertiliser is balanced and not too high in nitrogen.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves on a variegated bougainvillea can be a sign of several issues:

Overwatering problems: Watering too much is, of course, a common cause of yellow: Sometimes yellowing can be cause by too little water. Check—and adjust—the amount you’re watering.

Nutrient Deficiency: Nutrient deficiency is one of the most common causes of discolouration in plants, especially in the younger, growing leaves. Iron deficiency in particular can cause the discolouration of dianella leaves, shown as yellow margins or a dark green central vein. Near the bloom, your plants likely will have a higher demand for nutrients. Apply a balanced fertiliser regularly, or consider fertiliser supplemented with a micronutrient mixture, specifically high in iron.

Pests

Where pests are recurrent, consider relying on natural predators, such as ladybugs; introduce beneficial bugs; and weed out infestations before they become a problem. Check plants as a matter of routine.