Bougainvillea - Barbara Karst

Frequently seen in vacation destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southern California, bougainvilleas evoke images of summer, beauty, and bliss.

It's not hard to see why they're admired across the world. It's quite rare for a plant to be colorful and lush year-round (depending on the location, of course), drought tolerant, low maintenance, and highly trainable.

For growing as vines, hedges, and large topiaries here in Southern California, we love the Barbara Karst variety. It's a vigorously-growing bougainvillea that produces a profusion of bright, cheery magenta, even in the dry and hot summers. It's also salt and drought tolerant, great for coastal and desert areas alike.

Botanical name: Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Barbara Karst'

Other names: Paperflower

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bougainvilleas are from the eastern part of South America, in regions that are warm or temperate year-round. The Barbara Karst variety is a hybrid between Bougainvillea glabra and Bougainvillea peruviana.

Barbara Karst is our favorite bougainvillea to grow in the desert heat and drought.

Soil: Fast draining soil is key to a bougainvillea's health. In the desert area, we recommend using fertilizer during growing season or adding compost. Higher phosphorous will encourage flowers while higher nitrogen will encourage leaves.

Temperature: Barbara Karst is one of the hardiest bougainvilleas. It can withstand temperatures down to 20 degrees for a brief period of time. It also does well in the desert heat in the Palm Springs region.

Water: Drought tolerant once established. We recommend occasional, deep waterings. Allow the soil to be dry between waterings. Either use a moisture meter or stick your finger through the soil to gauge the moisture level.

Sun: Full sun. In partial shade, the flowers will lose its brilliance, and the plant will grow more leaves.

Pests: Bougainvilleas have minimal pests, which are usually aphids and spider mites.

For aphids, blast them off with water if the infestation is light. Otherwise, use horticultural oil or soapy water.

For spider mites, control the infestation as soon as it’s discovered. Some options are horticultural oil applied several days apart as well as insecticidal soap combined with hydrogen peroxide. Use commercial pesticide for severe infestations.

Whenever using any kind of pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.

Signs of overwatering: Fewer flowers compared to leaf growth, root rot

Signs of too little water: Wilting, dropping leaves and bracts

Signs of too much sun: Fading color

Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, dulling color of bracts

Take 4 to 8 inch cuttings from the tip and plant in soil.

How much does Barbara Karst Bougainvillea cost?

At our nursery, bougainvilleas of the Barbara Karst variety costs $20 for a 5-gallon container (+$5 for an accompanying stake), and $75 for a 15-gallon container.

Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information on pricing. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.

HOW FAST DOES Barbara Karst Bougainvillea GROW?

In the Palm Springs area, you can expect the bougainvillea to grow more than a foot a year until it reaches maturity. In more temperate regions, it grows about 2 to 4 feet a year until maturity.

Is Barbara Karst bougainvillea a perennial?

Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is a perennial here in the Coachella Valley and other regions in zones 9 and higher, which enjoy minimum temperatures of 20 degrees and higher.