- Mature height
- 5m to 8m
- Mature width
- 2m to 5m
Bougainvillea 'H.C. Buck' is an evergreen scrambling climber that covers itself in deep crimson-red bracts. The colour comes from those papery bracts rather than the tiny cream flowers they surround. Growth is spreading and thorny, with long canes that need tying in or a frame to climb, and mid-green oval leaves.
Full sun is essential, because shade cuts flowering sharply. Give it well-drained soil, keep water up during establishment, then ease off, since dry spells trigger heavier bract colour. It is frost sensitive and belongs in tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean districts. Canes extend one to two metres a year.
Train it over a pergola, along a fence line or across a hot masonry wall where reflected heat helps it flower. It also works spilling out of a large raised pot near a pool. For a buyer, it turns a bare structure into solid colour faster than almost anything else you could plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
About H.C. Buck Bougainvillea
What is Bougainvillea 'H.C. Buck'?
It is a named bougainvillea cultivar grown for deep crimson-red bracts and vigorous scrambling growth. The bracts are papery and long lasting, and they surround the small cream true flowers. Like all bougainvilleas it is a thorny climber rather than a self-clinging one, so it needs a frame, wires or a fence to hold it.
How big does it grow?
With a structure to climb it reaches 5 to 8 metres, spreading 3 to 5 metres across. Pruned regularly it can be held as a shrub at 2 to 3 metres. Size depends almost entirely on how hard you cut it, so decide the intended scale before planting and set up support to match.
How fast does it grow?
Very fast in warm conditions, putting on one to two metres of new cane a year once the roots are established. A young plant on a sunny fence will cover several metres within two seasons. Growth slows markedly in cool weather, and stops altogether if the plant is sitting in shade or wet soil.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun, and plenty of it. At least six hours of direct sun a day is the minimum for good bract colour, and eight or more is better. In shade the plant still grows but produces leaves instead of bracts, which is the single most common reason a bougainvillea fails to flower.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive and will be damaged by even light frost, with soft growth burnt back and young plants sometimes lost. Grow it in frost-free coastal and northern gardens, or against a warm wall in a protected courtyard. In cold districts a pot that can be moved under cover is the safer option.
When does it flower?
The main flushes come in spring, roughly September to November, and again in autumn, around March to May, with scattered colour between them in warm areas. Flowering is triggered by bright light and a slightly dry, lean root zone, so heavy watering and feeding through the warm months will reduce the display.
How do I prune and care for Bougainvillea 'H.C. Buck'?
Prune after each flowering flush, cutting the finished canes back hard to a framework and tying in the growth you want to keep. Wear thick gloves for the thorns. Water during establishment, then only in prolonged dry spells. Use a low-nitrogen fertiliser in early spring, since too much nitrogen gives leaf growth instead of bracts.
