Creating a Bougainvillea Hanging Basket from a Stiff-Stemmed Plant

Saw a beautiful bougainvillea hanging basket with long flowing vines and blossoms. Lowe's said get a 1-gallon plant but didn't know how to start. I have the plant, but stem is stiff. How to start and maintain in a hanging basket?

Expert Advice

Start in a 3-gallon container, elevated so gravity pulls growth downward. Train by pruning lateral attempts. Once established, transplant to hanging basket. Bougainvilleas are aggressive growers—need frequent pruning to maintain downward flow. Remember: colorful bracts are at terminal ends; prune prudently to keep color. Dwarf varieties (≤2 ft) are easier than standards (10+ ft) which stress when pot-bound. Hope you bought a dwarf!

Nick