Is Bouganvilla a house plant or a bush you can plant outside in Lexington, Ky?
Answers:
Bougainvillea is a flowering plant genus comprising four thorny, woody, flowering vine species native to the Amazon Rainforest of South America (similar to Ky? I think not).
However, bougainvillea are popular plants in California, south Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, South Africa, and other areas with warm climates.So, they might just survive in Ky. The actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the bright colors associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow. Bougainvillea are sometimes referred to as paper flowers because the bracts are thin and papery. That means that extra care is required.
Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water to flower. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt. Bougainvillea are relatively pest-free plants, but may suffer from worms and aphids. The larvae of some Lepidoptera species also use them as food plants including Giant Leopard Moth.
There are numerous Bougainvillea varieties and hybrids, including nearly thornless shrubs. Bougainvillea are sterile and are propagated from cuttings.
So, I don't know the conditions or the varities available in Ky, but if you take good enough care, they will most surely survive, unless there is a very cold winter in Ky.
Other answers:
Bouganvilla does better out side...not too much sun though! you live in a nice climate for it to flourish!
Bouganvilla does better out side...not too much sun though! you live in a nice climate for it to flourish!
I am in Cynthiana...we are by no means in a rainforest climate.
Your plant might do well outside in the summer but come fall you will need to move it back in doors.
Hope this helps
the second link to me is better than the first one
Bougainvillea does very well as a container plant, so in your area, you can move it out to the deck or patio during the warm months, and then in late fall, you will have to make arrangements to protect your bougainvillea from cold temperatures (below 40 degrees).
They need lots of bright light. Since you will have to use the container method, make sure you check soil moisture levels often. They like moist soil, but not soggy.
They normally vine, but can easily be trained to bush, so don't let their vining habit intimidate you. Continuous pinching of the tips of the new shoots will encourage branching.
Container growth rules out the use of composting for fertilization. Bougainvillea are heavy feeders and respond best to feeding every week or two with ½ strength water soluble fertilizer, e.g., Peter's 20-20-20, Excel 21-5-20, Miracle Grow or Rapid Grow. With high light and consistent feeding, the plants will bloom at least 11 months of the year. Straight hibiscus food has also been a very successful fertilizer.
Best of luck. They are beautiful and can bloom 11 months of the year with a little care.