Episode: #10 4/11/06
Presenter: Phil Dudman

Good gardening is all about choosing the right plants for your climate. Take roses for example, they can be tricky to grow in Queensland but if you are looking for a terrific performer that will provide you with lots of colour then why don?t you consider growing some bougainvillea.

Bougainvilleas are extremely hardy and easy plants to grow and rarely fussy about growing conditions. Pest and diseases aren?t a problem either and when you learn about a few simple handling techniques, they will give you masses of colour on and off throughout the year.

Brisbane?s beautiful Southbank Parklands is a marvellous example of how glorious and versatile they are. The stunning bougainvillea arbour has become the defining symbol of the park. It has got to be one of the most spectacular horticultural achievements seen anywhere.

443 curling, tendril-like columns of steel, each covered with vibrant magenta coloured bougainvillea. Boldly, it weaves its way for one kilometre right through the centre of the parklands providing a breath-taking experience for visitors as they stroll through.

Bougainvilleas have got themselves a bit of a bad name and many of you may bear the scars to prove it! There is no doubt, bougainvilleas have their fair share of thorns, so you need to show caution when handling them. The trick is to prune your plants regularly.

A big problem gardeners have is letting their plants ramble and get away. The temptation then is to get in and prune them back hard. That is when you run the risk of multiple lacerations. Not only that, bougainvilleas respond by producing masses of those long, wild, arching canes that are covered in more nasty thorns.

The trick is to choose a few to be your leaders and train them up just like a climbing rose. Once they are set into position, they start producing much shorter growth; the type of growth that sets the colourful flower bracts you are after.

This is where a bit of good pruning comes in. All that is required at this stage is some regular light pruning to remove any wayward growths and spent flowers. That keeps the plant contained and encourages more of the shorter flowering type growth.

One last thing about growing bougainvillea, you must provide it with a strong support. It doesn?t need to be as grand as the Arbour in Southbank Parklands but if you have a pergola, a weldmesh fence or even a solid railing on a balcony you can create a very showy display.