Renovating Overgrown Bougainvillea: Spring Pruning Framework and Bloom Spur Training

Annual Spring Pruning

• Remove all dead wood.
• Select strong, well-placed new growth; tip-prune (remove up to ¼ length) and tie into framework.
• Remove weak/poorly placed growth entirely.
• Tip-pruning encourages bloom spurs (short side stems that flower).

Renovation for Tangled Plants

Early spring: cut back to 3–5 main stems, 3–4 ft long. Remove all other growth. In 6–8 weeks, thin weak new shoots, tie 5–7 strong ones into an attractive framework, pinch tips for spurs.

Fertilizer Caution

Low fertilizer—high nitrogen causes weak growth and fewer flowers.

Reference

The Pruner's Bible by Steve Bradley has diagrams for bougainvillea pruning.