Bougainvillea and Dead Wood

Dead Wood

• Dead wood is most often a problem in the late winter or early spring, when bougainvillea is just emerging from dormancy. Any wood that has died due to cold temperatures should be pruned off immediately. Since bougainvillea grows back so readily, you’ll probably want to remove frost-damaged wood as well, even if it isn’t yet dead, to improve the appearance of the plant.

Pruning Times

• Because bougainvillea forms its colorful flowers on old wood, the best time for shaping is right after the plant finishes its main bloom for the year. This can sometimes be in winter and sometimes in late summer or early fall. Either way, try to prune it for shape, removing unwanted branches and any spent wood, immediately after it finishes its bloom. In early spring, in addition to removing dead growth, you should also remove unwanted shoots and pinch the tips of shoots to encourage branching, if necessary.

Pruning Techniques

• Using pruning shears or clippers, prune out all dead branches and anything else necessary to give your bougainvillea an appealing shape. Keep in mind that during its growth season it will add even more length and bushiness, so you mind want to go a bit shorter than the ideal. Remember to remove the vigorous shoots and suckers that form at the base of the bougainvillea plant; allowing them to grow will decrease the vigor and beauty of the plant.

Precautions

• When pruning for shape, remove as little live growth as you need to in order to preserve next year’s blossoms. When pruning or working with bougainvillea for any other reason, take care with the sharp thorns that cover the branches, which can be as long as 2 inches. Wear gloves to avoid chance of injury. Always sterilize your pruning shears to prevent the spread of disease.