Bouganveilla

[bk1]

I received a beautiful potted plant yesterday , it is in full flower (masses of pink flowers) Is it ok to plant it directly into the soil now or should I keep it in the house

I think the name for it is bouganveilla , I would love to see it flourish as it was brought by such good friends but am not sure how to deal with it , my soil is quite clay like and I live in area 35.

Thanks for any advice offered

[Deleted]

Dear bk1,

Bougainvillea are a tropical plant, from S. America, so no, I wouldn't plant it outside now.

If it's already flowered it could've been induced to (to sell it) at this time of year, so I'd consider re-potting it in a large container, say 30 litres, for outside growing later, say from June, and in the meantime keep frost-free.

It could go in the ground in June, on a South-facing wall, but you'd have to lighten-up that clay of yours with gravel, and add fertilizer.

It would still have to be cut down and dug up again in Autumn, cos it won't survive the winter, which is why I favour growing it in a large tub in the first place..

All of which is just my opinion. I've never grown them.

[troll]

I grew them on a south facing wall in Cornwall, which isn't so very different to here.

[Deleted]

We used to have one here,it lasted 4 months!