Pruning and trimming are two different things. Trimming establishes an outline and keeps a plant in a certain visual habit. Generally, trimming removes smaller material and leaves a certain silhouette. Pruning is useful for training a plant and to remove old neglected branches. It is also the basis for the final adult plant’s scaffold. Trimming bougainvilleas helps keep the plant in an already chosen shape. This generally means tip pruning and light topping to minimize ranginess. How to Prune Bougainvillea Bougainvillea pruning for hedges is severe, but usually the plants are trained to trellises or other vertical supports and need minimal pruning in early spring to enhance growth. Young plants need to be pruned from the base to force thicker growth.
Overall Bougainvillea Care
The vines need well-drained, yet moist, soil to thrive. Bougainvilleas are drought resistant and perform best if the soil is allowed to dry out between watering. A full sun site is the best and bougainvillea flower most when the temperatures are moderate with long cooler nights in spring. The plants grow well in a greenhouse or in containers. Just don’t forget to move them indoors when temperatures begin to fall, as the plant has little cold tolerance. Plants grown indoors should experience annual bougainvillea pruning for maintenance and to keep them small enough for transitional movement and ceiling height.