New River Purple Bougainvillea Shrub

The New River Purple Bougainvillea Shrub (Bougainvillea ‘New River’) is a striking ornamental known for its rich, deep purple blooms and dense, mounding habit. Grown as a shrub, it creates a bold hedge, border, or standalone accent that adds vibrant color to landscapes, driveways, and property lines. It performs best when planted outdoors in USDA Zones 9–11, but can also be grown in containers and overwintered indoors in cooler regions (Zones 4–11).

This sun-loving, fast-growing shrub is drought tolerant once established and typically matures to 15–25 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide if left unpruned, though it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular trimming. New River Purple Bougainvillea is also well-suited for coastal areas thanks to its salt tolerance.

Planting Directions (In Ground)

Plant in a full sun location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a well-draining site, as bougainvillea does not tolerate standing water. When planting multiple shrubs as a hedge, space them 18–20 inches apart.

1. Dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball and just as deep.

2. Bougainvillea prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5–6.0.

3. Gently remove the shrub from its container and loosen the roots.

4. Position the plant and backfill with a mix of native soil and garden soil, tamping lightly to remove air pockets.

5. Water thoroughly and apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

Tip: Limestone raises soil pH, while sulfur helps lower it if needed.

Planting Directions (Container)

Choose a container 1–2 sizes larger than the nursery pot with drainage holes. Use a quality potting mix within the preferred pH range. Position the shrub so there’s at least one inch of space below the rim, backfill, firm the soil gently, and water well. Place the container in full sun.

Watering

Water as needed, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid oversaturating, as excess moisture can encourage leaf growth at the expense of blooms. For container plants, water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

Pruning

Prune in late fall or early winter to maintain shape and control size. Light trimming encourages branching and keeps shrubs full and tidy. Remove dead or damaged branches as needed. Always use clean, sterilized pruning tools.

Fertilizing

Feed monthly during the blooming season with a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants, such as a 6-8-10 blend. Stop fertilizing at the end of summer. Container-grown shrubs benefit from a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every two weeks at half strength.