The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 15 Summer 2015/2016 Low res | Page 7

Plant profile Lemmer special Prune once all frost and cold periods come to an end and the onset of the rains is near. The main basic principles of pruning should be carried out with bougainvilleas. 1. Remove all dead wood. 2. Cut off weak branches. 3. Remove any large, crossover branches. 4. Cut to an outer bud, not one facing inwards. 5. To prune a creeper, cut off all excessive front growth so it can espalier out. Thereafter, prune the creeper to the shape you want it. 6. Pruning too vigorously will always produce rank growth. Don’t overprune! 7. Remove all water shoots. These usually shoot straight up and are soft and green. 8. Never go into the garden without your secateurs; if there is an unruly branch, nip it off. Varieties Many bougainvilleas today are the result of interbreeding among the few species found by botanists; there are over 300 varieties of bougainvilleas around the world today, and many of these are available in Zimbabwe. Historically, there are the four main families of bougainvillea: Bougainvillea buttiana (all the reds), Bougainvillea glabra (all the purples), Bougainvillea spectabilis (furry-leafed climbers) and Bougainvillea peruviana ‘Lady Hudson’. The vigorous varieties Bougainvilleas are water wise and more should be grown, though many gardeners fear them and equate a bougainvillea to a vigorous climber. Blondie The more hardy climbers include varieties such as B. spectabilis, David Lemmer from the B. buttiana family, and Dream from the B. glabra family. Keep a look out Be observant and you might spot a new cultivar; the bougainvillea is highly inclined to sprouting a bud sport and creating hybrids. The Princess Mahara cultivar, which was discovered by an English lady in the Philippines, is a great example of this with its double bracts. Bougainvilleas do sometimes set seed, and it is worth planting these to see if the colour varies from the parent. Uses Bougainvilleas can be useful as good, strong hedges, especially B. glabra floribunda. To make a hedge, firmly place strong poles in the ground and then stretch mesh or wire between them. Plant the bushes about 2.5 metres apart and keep them trimmed, ensuring that the growth is healthy at the lower parts of the plant. They can also climb down a bank; Little Caroline is a perfect variety for this. Bougainvilleas can also be grown as container plants and as standards. Container plants 1. Purity has a variegated green and white leaf with a delicate white bract. It can also tolerate a little more shade than most. B. glabra var, with purple bracts and variegated leaf, can be placed in semi-shade. 2. Ideal varieties for small pots are Little Caroline (reddish), Temple Fire (reddish), and Little Tom Thumb (lilac), which is the only true dwarf. 3. Ideal varieties for medium pots are Mary Palmer the double varieties, Blondie, Purity, and Tropical Rainbow. 4. Ideal varieties for large pots are Princess Mahara, Dorphine, Manilla, Apple Blossom and Tropical Rainbow. Creepers The Apple Blossom variety is a good light creeper. Creeper varieties that are useful for screening include Madam Butt (the common red), David Lemmer (vigorous, deep red), Golden Glow, Millirerii and B. glabra magnifica. How to form a standard To form a standard, choose one good, strong stem and remove all the side growth up to the required height. You can then allow the growth to droop like a willow or keep it trimmed like an umbrella. Do not forget to stake it well. Floral art The bracts can be used effectively in flower arrangements. In order to condition them, scrape the bottom part of the stem, place it in boiling water for a short while and then completely submerge the whole spray. However, be wary of submerging the doubles as they can get waterlogged. National Association of Garden Clubs Join your local garden club to learn more and meet new people. Contact for NAGC Neels Scot on [email protected] Morag Flight on [email protected] 7