- 1). Install a sturdy archway at the entrance to the flower garden. Sink the supports to the archway in cement, as bougainvillea is a heavy vine.
- 2). Plant a bougainvillea on either side of the archway. Dig a hole twice as wide as and as deep as the nursery container. Add to the hole a few handfuls each of compost and slow-release fertilizer, per package directions. Mix in with the soil. Remove the bougainvillea from the nursery container, disturbing the root ball as little as possible. Plant so the soil level in the hole is at the same level as the soil of the bougainvillea.
- 3). Fasten the branches to the support as they grow, using ties. Keep the bougainvillea trimmed.
- 1). Cover a fence with bougainvillea's green leaves so the flowers in front of the fence pop. When the bougainvillea blooms, the fence will be a mass of bright color.
- 2). Plant the bougainvillea as close to the fence as possible. If it's close enough, the bougainvillea won't need a separate support but will use the fence as its support.
- 3). Trim any branches that arch into the flower bed. Alternatively, tie the arching branches to branches that are leaning against the fence.
- 4). Stop trimming when you see some of the leaves on the ends of the branches start to turn color.
- 1). Purchase a bougainvillea that has a strong straight central stem. If it has more than one, cut the others off at ground level. A standard topiary looks like a round lollipop on a straight stick. Trimming and training encourages the bougainvillea to attain that shape.
- 2). Tie the central stem to a strong upright stake.
- 3). Trim away any branches sprouting from the roots, or laterally from the central stem, until the central stem reaches the height you want -- usually from 4 to 5 feet.
- 4). Keep the lateral branches trimmed from the stem 2 feet below the top of the central stem. As the branches grow from the top of the central stem, clip them into a ball shape.
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