Bougainvillea Bambino Firefly

Bougainvillea 'Bambino Firefly' (Bougainvillea 'Bambino Firefly') is the dwarf that finally makes bougainvillea a pot plant rather than a fence eating monster. It settles at about 1.2m tall and wide, holds cream and green variegated leaves all year, and covers itself in pink bracts through the warm months. It behaves as a mounded shrub rather than a climber, so there are no wires to rig.

Why you'll love it

• Dwarf and self supporting. At 1.2m by 1.2m there is nothing to tie up and nothing to cut off the gutters.
• Colour right through the heat. Pink bracts hold for weeks at a stretch across the warmest months, when many flowering shrubs shut down.
• Variegated leaves fill the gaps. Cream and green foliage keeps the plant worth looking at between flushes of colour.
• It thrives on neglect. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, and it flowers better underwatered than fussed over.

Where it works best

Pots, balconies and courtyards. A 400mm pot suits it well, and a slightly tight root run improves the flowering. Hot paving in full sun is the position it wants.

Feature planting and low borders. Set plants about 1m apart for a low informal border. Keep them back from paths and doorways, because the stems carry sharp thorns.

Growing Bougainvillea Bambino Firefly in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, and plenty of it. Six hours is the minimum and eight is better, because shade gives leaves and no colour. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. It is frost tender, so in frosting districts grow it in a pot that can shelter under eaves for winter.

Soil. Free draining above everything else. Sandy or gravelly ground is ideal and heavy clay needs a raised mound. In pots use a quality mix opened with coarse sand, since rich soil grows foliage at the expense of bracts.

Water and feed. Water deeply while it establishes, then keep it on the dry side. Letting a mature plant go slightly limp between drinks triggers the next flush. Use a low nitrogen fertiliser in early spring and again in midsummer.

Pruning. Trim lightly after each flush to hold the shape and bring on more bracts. Wear thick gloves, and cut out any long whippy shoot that breaks the mound.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of ten. Tubes are young single stemmed plants and the value choice for a border, taking a season or two to mound up. The 140mm plants can go straight into a decorative pot.

Bougainvilleas resent root disturbance, so plant with the root ball intact and do not tease the roots out. Some leaf and bract drop after transit is normal, with new growth following within a few weeks in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full bougainvillea care guide.
• Find a container in plants for pots.
• See what else suits a sunny ledge among plants for balconies.
• Build a low water garden with drought tolerant plants.

Common questions

Why is my bougainvillea all leaves and no colour?

Almost always too much shade, too much water or too much nitrogen. Move it into full sun, cut watering back so the mix dries between drinks, and switch to a low nitrogen fertiliser.

Does it have thorns?

Yes. Like every bougainvillea it carries short sharp spines along the stems, so it is not the plant for a narrow path or where children play. Gloves are worth having for pruning.

Will it handle frost?

No. It is frost tender and a hard frost will cut it back or kill it. In cold districts keep it potted and move it against a warm wall for the coldest months.