A friend of mine is wanting to plant something viney and pretty near her front door. Her house is stucco, zone 7b, and gets morning sun to the point where her glass screen door is too hot to touch (according to her).

I've never grown bougainvillea, but told her I'd ask my gardening friends (aka you folks). She wants to know:

1) if bougainvillea will damage the stucco
2) what will it look like in winter
3) how much moisture does it need (her planting location doesn't get as much water as other parts of the house).


I would add to her questions:
1) Can she keep it in a LARGE pot instead of planting it in the ground
2) will she need a trellis, or can it just cling to the stucco
3)what would you recommend in place of bougainvillea if it's not a good choice for her.


Thanks!

I don't think you can grow bougainvillea outside where the temps go below freezing. It's pretty tropical. Lack of water is good, they don't like wet feet and they bloom when they have been almost water starved for bit. Lots and lots of full, hot sun. Actually the location sounds great except that in that zone I think it freezes. Bougainvillea does not cling or attach to anything, it has to be supported to climb walls. It also has very wicked thorns, something to think about near a front door. It grows well in containers as it likes to be root bound, so perhaps it could be moved in the winter? It also does well if pruned rather severely every year, it keeps it from taking over and it is very painful to prune when it is really large - did I mention the thorns?

Thanks, Jonna! I've passed that on to my friend (she's not an internet junkie like me)

Mary, extranjera is correct about bougainvillea not being winter hardy to our area.