I really want to do a bougainvillea hedge out the front of my new fence but I need some honest feedback on how much work they are and how bad the thorns are.
If I prune them every 3-4 months is that enough? And are the thorns a pain to deal with or will they be manageable if I prune regularly?
I have had ixora and hibiscus hedges before so know what sort of work is involved but curious about the bougainvillea as I have never grown them.
*photo from pinterest
by Sunshine230124
5 Comments
As someone who has been ravaged by these bastards removing them from bushland… You better contain this in your property or I will find you, and I will get you. I have a particular set of skills.
Does this answer your question about how bad the thorns are?
It depends somewhat on the variety and the growing conditions, but in general Bougainvillea are very vigorous, 3-4 months is way too long between pruning – I had a one that was semi-hedged, and it needed pruning every couple of weeks in summer, and the new shoots could grow 20cm a day!
The thorns are pretty extreme, but provided you’ve got gloves and the plant is readily accessible, should be fine.
My parents have them lining their drive and they’re hideous. As the person who has to maintain them, I’d happily burn them. They’re great on other properties but keeping them neat and orderly is a painful exercise. That said, I believe there are a couple of thornless varieties and there are also some that grow more upright that may be easier to maintain
They need a lot of pruning to keep as a hedge & those thorns! I would consider alternatives. It would be a lot of work through the growing season & if you’re in a warmer part of Aust, that could be a long season!
Why do you like them? You can get other tough things that have very bright flowers but aren’t trying to kill you.
Also, imagine something happens to you and you’re on crutches for 8 weeks, or have to travel suddenly. By the time you get back to your hedge pruning duties, the hedge has blocked the footpath and pulled down a couple of streetlights.