GARDENING SERVICES REDCLIFFE

Carefully pruning an overgrown Bougainvillea in Redcliffe.

Abby asked us to prune some Bougainvillea that was actually from her neighbour's property, but was creeping over her side of the fence. This is a common plant we're asked to remove and/or prune. Although very striking and vibrant, Bougainvillea is invasive when not managed, and those thorns can be a real hazard. Additionally, pruning this climbing plant is a crucial step in ensuring its flowering potential and overall health. Regular pruning helps promote the growth of new shoots, which encourages more blooms the following season.

However, the task is not without its challenges. Just like we encountered with the Bougainvillea at Abby's place, the thorny stems make the pruning process challenging and dangerous — this is the main reason people contact us. A specific technique is required to ensure that the plant's natural shape and vitality are maintained, and thick gloves are needed to reduce the risk of injury. We also take care to wear sunglasses, safety goggles, or a face shield to prevent thorns at head-height causing eye injuries.

Coming in over a fence, this Bougainvillea project required special tools so we could work at height. We cut it back to the fence line and carefully transported the debris to our trailer. If you've ever dealt with Bougainvilleas before, you know how tricky this is and how careful you have to be!