Magenta Glory Bougainvillea

Magenta Glory Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra 'Magenta Glory') is a medium-sized, cascading scrambler that flowers again and again in rich purple-red. It reaches 2m to 3m tall and 1m to 2m wide, far more manageable than many bougainvilleas, and it can be trained over a pergola, clipped into a hedge or let run as a groundcover. It wants warmth, sun and no frost.

Why you'll love it

• Repeat flowering. Flushes of rich purple-red bracts come again and again through the warm months, rather than a single show.
• Three jobs in one plant. Train it over a pergola or arbour, clip it into hedging or use it as a groundcover on a sunny bank.
• Sensible size. At 2m to 3m by 1m to 2m it suits suburban gardens that cannot take a monster climber.
• Drought hardy. A tough plant once it has settled in, well suited to dry, sunny positions.
• Cascading habit. Arching stems spill over walls, banks and pergola edges in a flowing curtain.

Where it works best

Pergolas and arbours. Stake and support the stems as they grow, and tie in the strongest canes to train the framework. One plant per post is enough.

Groundcover. Plant 1.5m apart on a sunny slope and let the stems scramble. Prune after flowering to keep the cover dense.

A clipped hedge. Set plants 1m apart and clip after each flush of colour. The thorns make it a good deterrent along a boundary.

Growing Magenta Glory Bougainvillea in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in a warm position. It is frost tender, so it belongs in tropical, subtropical and frost free warm temperate gardens, with a pot as the answer in cooler regions. Heat and sun are what drive the repeat flowering.

Soil. Free draining soil rich in organic matter, in a sunny spot. Avoid low-lying ground where water sits after rain.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first 12 months to establish a good root system, then ease off, because it is drought hardy. Support the stems as needed to train the growth.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to keep it in shape. Thorns are part of the package, so gloves and long sleeves are sensible.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Magenta Glory Bougainvillea as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly in warm, sunny conditions. Stake it from the start and tie it in as it grows.

We source tube stock from our grower, and it is not always available. A sold out tube just means the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The bougainvillea range
• Keeping bougainvillea thriving
• Groundcover plants
• Hedging and screening plants

Common questions

Can I really use it as a groundcover?

Yes. Its scrambling, cascading stems cover a sunny bank well. Plant 1.5m apart, prune after flowering and keep out of foot traffic, since it is thorny.

How cold can it go?

It is frost tender and does best where frost never visits. In cooler regions, grow it in a pot and shelter it in winter.

Is it as big as other bougainvilleas?

No. At 2m to 3m tall it is a medium-sized variety, well short of the giants such as Crimson Jewel or Mrs H. C. Buck.