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Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub
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Flowering Shrub

Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub

5.0/5 2 reviews
Will it grow where you live?

Zones 9-11

Size: 3 gallon
$80

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From our farm to your front door

  • Shipped in its nursery pot, so the roots stay undisturbed
  • Soil secured so it stays put in transit
  • Packed so the plant stays steady on the way to you

At a glance

Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
When the top 2–3" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Fast growth rate; typically reaches 6–10 feet tall and wide when maintained as a shrub.
Botanical name
Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'
Hardiness
Zones 9-11
Tolerates
Heat tolerantDrought tolerantCoastal tolerantWind tolerantDesert tolerant
USDA zone map for Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub

Where it grows in the groundShaded areas are the zones where it can be planted outdoors.

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What customers are saying

5.0
out of 5 · 2 verified reviews

Why customers love it

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

Delivered to your door

Skip the nursery trip. Very little car Tetris required.

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Ask us anything before or after planting.

1-year guarantee

If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.

Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Sun
Full Sun

Pick the spot before you dig.

Water
When the top 2–3" of soil is dry

Water slowly and deeply. Check more often in its first summer.

Grows in
Zones 9-11

Enter your ZIP above to check your zone.

Your first year together

  1. 1Day 1

    Plant it, then water slowly until the whole root ball is soaked.

  2. 2First few weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots settle in.

  3. 3First summer

    Water deeply during hot, dry spells.

  4. 4Next spring

    New growth starts. Feed as it wakes up.

Planting instructions
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth it was growing in the container. Use well-draining soil and avoid amending too heavily, as bougainvillea prefers slightly lean conditions. Water thoroughly after planting and apply mulch sparingly, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
Watering & sunlight
Water deeply once every 7–10 days during establishment; once established, water sparingly every 10–14 days, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Barbara Karst Bougainvillea requires full sun to bloom heavily and maintain vibrant color. At least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily is essential for best performance.
Care guide

PRUNING:
Prune lightly throughout the growing season to shape and control size, and more heavily after major bloom cycles. Wear gloves when pruning, as branches have thorns.

FERTILIZING:
Feed with a balanced or bloom-boosting fertilizer during the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Not frost tolerant. In regions that experience freezing temperatures, protect with frost cloth or grow in containers that can be moved indoors during winter.

Shipping & what's inside

Your plant ships in its nursery pot with the soil secured, packed so it stays steady on the way to you.

1-year guarantee

Every plant is covered by our 1-year guarantee. If something goes wrong, contact our team and we'll walk you through it.

Answered by Simply Trees plant experts
How big does the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub get?
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea reaches around 6–10 feet tall and wide as a shrub.
How fast does the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub grow?
This is a fast-growing plant that can put on 3–5 feet of growth per year under ideal sun and heat conditions.
Where is the best place to plant the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub?
Plant it in a full-sun location with excellent drainage, in open landscape areas that receive at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.
Can Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub be grown in containers?
Yes, it can be grown in large containers, especially in regions with cold winters. Container-grown plants can be moved indoors or protected during freezing temperatures.
Why isn’t my Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub flowering?
Lack of blooms is usually caused by insufficient sunlight, overwatering, or excess fertilizer. Full sun and slightly drier conditions encourage flowering.
Is Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub drought tolerant?
Yes, once established, it is highly drought tolerant and prefers infrequent deep watering.
Does Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub need support?
As a shrub, it can be shaped and maintained without support.
Is the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub evergreen?
In warm climates, the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub is considered evergreen to semi-evergreen and can retain foliage year-round. In cooler areas or after cold weather, it may temporarily drop leaves and regrow once temperatures warm.
Does the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub tolerate pruning?
Yes, the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub responds well to pruning and can be shaped to control size or encourage fuller growth. Pruning is best done after a major bloom cycle, and gloves are recommended due to thorns.
Can the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub handle salt air or coastal conditions?
Yes, the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Shrub is well suited for coastal landscapes and tolerates salt air when planted in well-draining soil with full sun.
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