Can I grow Bougainvillea in zone 7A Maryland?

11 years ago

I love the look of Bougainvilleas. However, I live in the DC suburbs of Maryland, in zone 7A. Is anyone else zone pushing with these?
I was thinking of attempting to grow them outdoors against a south facing brick wall - this place stays warm - with added winter protection like wrapping. I would be okay if it behaves like a perennial, provided I get flowers. Is this possible? Which varieties would be appropriate?

Featured Answer

jadie88

11 years ago

Oops, just noticed this was posted months ago! Oh well...

Hopefully you'll luck out! funny thing is, I just got back from visiting my parents on the Texas Gulf Coast, where we spent a good amount of time whacking back a monstrous bougainvillea that had swallowed an entire planting bed (again) and a bay window to boot. They would love to grow some of the spring bloomers and perinneals we grow up here... we always want what we can't grow, huh?! :)

This post was edited by jadie88 on Wed, Mar 20, 13 at 15:07

Comments (8)

davidrt28 (zone 7)
11 years ago
No, it may not come back from the ground, and if it does it will barely have time to bloom. The good news is it can be grown in a container:

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/Bougainvillea-101-Most-asked-questions-1733927.php
afbq
11 years ago
I love bougainvillea too. They are so beautiful and remind me of the warm, sunny tropics. I tried several times to grow them here and each time they died. :(
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jnobl009
6 years ago
Florida 2018
Claudia Amestegui
5 years ago
Did you train your Boug’s trunk like that (intertwined) or bought that way? Thanks and she’s beautiful!
HU-230656465
2 years ago
Hi - I want to grow Bouganvillea vines on the outside of my house in DC. Let me know if anyone has had luck growing in DC. I know I would have to pot and bring indoors in winter...
Vedia Eidelman
last year
Same - I'd like to grow Bouganvillea on the outside of my house in a DC suburb as well. Please let me know if you've had luck with this. Thanks!
Chessie
last year
Vedia Eidelman - Bouganvillea is tropical, and is hardy in zones 10 and 11. It can be grown in zone 9 if in a protected location. You can grow it in a pot, outdoors, but if you have a greenhouse where it can have a longer period of warmth, it would provide you with more growth. Obviously you would need to heat the greenhouse, or at the least, bring the container inside when temps start getting in the 30's. Growing it outside, and leaving it, in your zone, will simply be treating it as an annual. It will not survive.