Barbara Karst Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Vine
Height
300 inches
Width
150 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
9
Water
Low
Humidity
Low to moderate
Lifespan
Long-lived perennial vine
Native To
South America (hybrid)
Toxicity
Mildly toxic if ingested, skin irritant from sap/thorns
The Story
Plant Bio
Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny, evergreen, climbing shrubs or vines native to South America. They are renowned for their colorful, paper-like bracts which surround the small, inconspicuous true flowers. 'Barbara Karst' is a particularly vigorous and free-flowering cultivar, known for its brilliant magenta to scarlet-red bracts. It blooms profusely in cycles throughout the warm seasons.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Ensure the soil is very well-drained; amend if necessary.
- Plant at the same depth it was in its nursery pot.
- Water regularly to establish, then reduce frequency significantly.
- Provide a sturdy trellis, arbor, or wall for support.
- Prune after each major bloom cycle to encourage new growth.
Pro Tip
For best blooming, keep the plant slightly root-bound and avoid overwatering and high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide full, intense sun for maximum flowering.
- Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Use a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer to promote blooms.
- Prune hard in late winter or early spring to control size and shape.
Don't
- Don't overwater, as this leads to root rot and poor flowering.
- Avoid planting in shady locations.
- Don't disturb the sensitive root system during transplanting.
- Don't use high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leaves over flowers.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea questions
What zones can Barbara Karst Bougainvillea grow in?
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Barbara Karst Bougainvillea deer resistant?
Yes — Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Barbara Karst Bougainvillea bloom?
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea typically blooms in early summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Barbara Karst Bougainvillea need full sun?
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea does best in full sun (6+ hours).
Is Barbara Karst Bougainvillea drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Barbara Karst Bougainvillea handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Collections featuring this plant
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Barbara Karst Bougainvillea with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
