Which bougainvillea to plant according to your region?

If you live on the Côte d'Azur and in the area of the orange tree

This area of the Hexagon enjoys pleasant sunshine all year round for gardeners and plants. Winters are very mild, with temperatures almost always above freezing. Summers, on the other hand, are scorching, and drought is often a concern. It is worth noting that coastal gardens are exposed to sea spray, which can cause damage to the plants.

If you are fortunate enough to live in this area, you will be able to grow various varieties of bougainvilleas without any problems. For instance, the Bougainvillea glabra ‘Sanderiana’, with its semi-evergreen foliage, will delight you with its vibrant violet-pink flowering, while the Bougainvillea spectabilis White-pink will offer pure white flowers delicately edged in soft pink. The latter will have vigorous growth, allowing it to cover large sections of wall or a structure to which it is trained. The Bougainvillea spectabilis Yellow and the Bougainvillea spectabilis Orange also exhibit great vigour, producing incredible saffron yellow and blazing orange blooms. For an intense and deep flowering, you may also choose to plant the Bougainvillea spectabilis Purple-violet.

These different bougainvilleas can, of course, be planted in the ground. At the foot of a wall, an arch, or a pergola, they will splendidly adorn the support to which they are trained, with a clear preference for full sun!

Clockwise: Bougainvillea glabra ‘Sanderiana’, Bougainvillea spectabilis White-pink, Yellow, Orange, and Purple-violet.

→ Want to know more about the orange zone? Check out our sheet: “What is the orange zone?

If you live in the rest of the Mediterranean fringe and the Atlantic coast

The sun is always present here. Winters remain quite mild, with only a few light frosts and temperatures rarely dropping below -5°C. Bougainvilleas can still be planted in the ground. Reserve a sheltered spot for them, on a wall facing full south and protected from cold winds.

The Bougainvillea ‘Violet de Mèze’ is known to be the most cold-resistant, so prefer this choice if your garden occasionally experiences slightly harsher frosts. Otherwise, you can opt for the various colours of spectabilis bougainvilleas with flowering ranging from white to reddish-purple, including bright yellow; their unparalleled growth will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted flowering from May to September on beautiful semi-evergreen foliage. They are resistant to temperatures as low as -5°C and will tolerate planting along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

The various shades of spectabilis bougainvilleas

In other regions: plant the bougainvillea in a pot.

It must be admitted that growing bougainvillea elsewhere will be much more uncertain. If you benefit from a mild micro-climate, once again favour the bougainvillea ‘Violet de Mèze’, but below -8°C its survival in the ground will be compromised. Be prepared to protect the stump with thick mulch and possibly a winter cover.

The alternative will be to grow your bougainvillea in a pot, so that you can winter it in a sheltered place and take it out in the warm season. If possible, choose a pot or container large enough for the root system to develop properly and for your bougainvillea to grow under good conditions. Regular watering during the growth period and a supply of specific fertiliser will be the keys to successfully growing your bougainvillea in a pot!

Bougainvillea ‘Violet de Mèze’ and bougainvillea in a pot

→ To learn everything about wintering your bougainvillea, check our advice sheet: “How to winter a bougainvillea? Our tips for protecting bougainvillea from winter cold”