Reaching for the Sky – How Tall Does Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Grow?
With its cascading vines studded with vivid blooms, Barbara Karst Bougainvillea makes a stunning addition to gardens and landscapes. But just how tall can you expect this showy plant to grow? Here’s a look at the mature size and growth habits of this popular flowering vine.
Bougainvillea ‘Barbara Karst’ is a cultivar of Bougainvillea that is valued for its prolific magenta-pink bracts and compact growth habit compared to other Bougainvillea varieties It was developed by nurseryman Jim Butcher and named after his mother. While often treated as a shrub, Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is actually a woody vining plant. Given adequate support, it can grow surprisingly tall!
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When provided with a sturdy trellis, fence, or other supporting structure, Barbara Karst Bougainvillea can climb up to 20-30 feet (6-9 m) in height.
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With optimal growing conditions and proper care, some plants may even reach up to 40 feet (12 m) tall!
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The vines can extend horizontally as well, reaching up to 15 feet (4.5 m) in width.
Growth Rate
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Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is classified as a fast-growing plant. In warm climates, it can grow over 3 feet (1 m) per year.
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The vines can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) in a single month during the peak growing period.
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With frequent pruning and training, growth can be restricted to encourage bushier, more compact plants. But left to sprawl, Barbara Karst becomes a vigorous climber.
Factors Affecting Height
Several key factors play a role in determining the ultimate height Barbara Karst Bougainvillea reaches:
Climate and Location
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In tropical and subtropical climates, Barbara Karst can achieve its full towering height potential. Mild winters and long summers enable vigorous growth.
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In cooler climates, seasonal dieback and reduced growth may result in shorter plants overall. Providing winter protection allows for taller growth.
Sun Exposure
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Full sun is essential for Barbara Karst Bougainvillea to thrive. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day results in robust growth.
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Too much shade will cause leggy, weak growth that is unable to properly support taller vines.
Support Structure
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Providing a sturdy vertical support structure is key for enabling Barbara Karst Bougainvillea to reach its mature climbing height.
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Without adequate support, vines will scramble along the ground in a sprawling manner instead of climbing upwards.
Soil Quality
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Rich, well-draining soil encourages vigorous growth and larger plants.
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Poor, sandy soils can limit nutrients and water retention, resulting in weaker, slower growth.
Pruning and Training
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Regular pruning controls errant growth but removes some height potential. However, it encourages bushiness.
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Training vines up supports channels growth upwards rather than laterally for taller plants.
Tips for Growing Tall Barbara Karst Bougainvillea
For gardeners seeking to maximize the lofty growth potential of Barbara Karst Bougainvillea, here are some useful tips:
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Site in full sun exposure to promote robust growth.
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Install sturdy trellises, pergolas, or fences to support upward climbing vines.
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Prepare planting beds with rich organic matter to improve fertility and drainage.
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Water deeply and fertilize regularly during the growing season.
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Avoid excessive pruning to allow vines to reach their full length.
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Train shoots vertically along supports to encourage height over width.
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Apply winter protection in colder climates to minimize dieback.
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Grow in containers with tall obelisks or poles for support to control size.
Striking Specimens
Thanks to its tropical heritage, vibrant blooms, and rapid growth rate, Barbara Karst Bougainvillea can transform into a towering specimen with the right care and culture. Allowing it to ascend to its full mature height results in breathtaking vertical accents for gardens, fences, and other structures. Just be sure to provide sturdy supports for these eager climbers! With its lush growth and brilliant colors, Barbara Karst Bougainvillea makes a stunning statement at any height.
Full Planting & Care Instructions
The Barbara Karst Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea âBarbara Karstâ) is a lovely crimson red blooming vine accented with tiny white accent flowers. The advantage of the Barbara Karst is that it can be trained as a climbing vine suited for fences and trellises or trained to look more tree-like in its form through staking techniques. The bougainvillea is best for USDA growing zones 9-11 if being planted outdoors but can be container grown for growing zones 4-11. It will mature quickly to heights of 15-30 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide providing it receives the necessary full sun exposure with well draining soil. When properly spaced the bougainvillea can be used as a decorative hedge, privacy border or a beautiful standalone specimen!
Planting Directions (in ground): Bougainvilleas do best in a full sun location. Try and find somewhere that will offer at least 6 hours of direct sun every day. Ensure your drainage is good, plants do not care to be in areas where water may collect for prolonged periods. Bougainvilleas like to climb as they are a vine so make sure it has something like a fence or trellis to grow properly. If growing as a hedge, space them 18-20 inches apart.
1) Make your hole 2-3 times the width and just as deep as the root system. 2) Bougainvilleas like a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 for the best results. An inexpensive soil testing kit can easily help you determine the pH range of your soil. 3) Carefully remove the vine from its container and lightly comb the roots with your hands to help free up some of the roots. 4) Position the plant and then begin backfilling the hole with a 60/40 ratio of your native soil to gardening soil. Tamp down lightly as you fill to prevent any air pockets from forming. 5) Water the planting site when finished to settle the soil then broadcast mulch around the base to maintain soil moisture and keep competing growth such as grass or weeds away.*Tip: Limestone can assist with increasing the pH range of your soil whereas sulfur will help lower it.
Planting Directions (potted): 1) Select a pot that is 1-2 sizes larger than the container the plant arrived in with ample drainage holes on the bottom. 2) Choose a potting soil mix with the correct pH level for the best success (5.5 to 6.0) 3) Add a little soil to the bottom of the container first so once the tree has been completely potted, there will be at least a one inch gap from the lid of the pot. This makes for easy watering without any mess. 4) Tamp down the soil around the rootball as you fill to ensure no air pockets have formed. 5) Water to settle the soil completely and place it in an area that will receive full sun (6+ hours every day).
Watering: Water the bougainvillea as needed. The best thing is a consistently moistened soil but NOT overly saturated. Too much water can weaken the vine and cause excess leaf growth in place of the decorative color youâd expect.
For a potted bougainvillea, use your index finger to determine if more water is needed. Stick it into the soil down to a depth of 2 inches and feel around. If there is still moisture present, leave it be a bit longer. If it has dried out, water until you see it escaping the drainage holes and stop.
Pruning: Your bougainvillea will respond to pruning greatly when done properly. Pruning is typically done in the late fall or early winter season. Some light trimming will keep the vine trained to a certain visual habit. Trimming removes smaller materials and gives the form a certain silhouette as well as maintain the shape. Hedge planted bougainvilleas will require some extensive pruning unless they have been properly trained along a trellis or other vertical support systems. You can remove dead wood/branches as they appear. Pruning the tips of the wood just after a bud node encourages the formation of new branches to form at the pruning junction.
Potted vines should have their tips pinched off monthly during their active growing season to encourage more branching of the vine. Pruning should be done after winter with sterilized clippers. Rubbing alcohol works perfectly for sterilization.
Fertilizing: During the blooming season your bougainvillea will respond well to monthly applications of fertilizer. The best results have been from 6-8-10 formulas which still allow enough nitrogen for healthy growth but also a boost of phosphorous to encourage good blooming. Discontinue fertilizing as summer comes to an end. Potted bougainvilleas do better with a balanced 20-20-20 water soluble formula applied every two weeks at half the strength recommended on the packaging.
Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, youll receive an email with a tracking number.
| Amount of Order | Shipping Charge |
|---|---|
| Less than $49 | $19.95 |
| $49 + | FREE SHIPPING! |
| Mature Height : | 4-6 ft. |
| Mature Width : | 8-10 ft. |
| Sunlight : | Full Sun |
| Growth Rate : | Fast |
| Botanical Name : | Bougainvillea |
| Does Not Ship To : | AZ,OR |
| Grows Well In Zones : | 3-11 patio / 9-11 outdoors |
Brilliant Red Flowers Reminiscent of the Tropics
Add Brilliant RED to Your Landscape
A profusion of non-stop summer splendor, the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea knows no blooming boundaries! This showy bougainvillea is flush with scarlet red blooms.
The source of this bounty isnât flowers or leaves, but the bracts. They run the full length of each arching stem, luring admiring pollinators to tiny, white blossoms nestled among this brilliant bouquet.
A tropical plant, the Barbara Karst serves as an evergreen in frost-free zones, promising a mass of color from late spring well into fall. This durable perennial can handle colder climates, returning year-after-year with an abundance of warm-weather proliferation.
Unlimited Garden Uses
The Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is available as a vine or already trimmed and trained in tree-form.
Add Amazing Color with this Quick Growing Vine Its vigorous nature can be âpersuadedâ into most any form your garden plans involve. Reaching up to 30 feet, it fills in quickly as ground cover, a privacy screen or cascading hedge. With a little guidance and support, the spiny thorns climb just about any structure, creating a bright red embellishment on an arbor, trellis or fence line â even the side of your house! Invest a little more time pruning, and this bougainvillea can be tamed into a shrub, container plant or grown in a hanging basket.
Youâll Want This Impressive Tree If youâre looking for a flowering tree, the Barbara Karst is easily maintained as a bonsai or topiary. When ordering in tree-form, all the work of training the vine into a single trunk is complete. Just keep your shears handy to shape the top and snip off errant shoots during the growing season. Most find a height of 4 to 6 feet manageable⦠but it will get taller if you want to let it go.
Hardiest of ALL The Bougainvilleas
Aside from your need to keep it âin check,â the Barbara Karst is a no-fuss, low-maintenance bougainvillea. Whether planted in the ground or a garden pot, full sun and an occasional soaking are all it requires⦠once the roots are established.
Itâs a top-performer in hot, desert-like conditions while tolerating temperatures as low as 30 degrees F. You might see new growth nipped by winter frost, but it easily rebounds once spring arrives.
Mass of Blooming Beauty
The Barbara Karst routinely outshines its familiar cousin, the San Diego Red Bougainvillea, in abundance and beauty. To achieve this brilliance in your own backyard, always plant your bougainvillea where it can get lots of sun â at least 6 hours each day. Remember, additional watering boosts leaf production, but drier conditions are what make the bracts really stand out!
Prized for its over-the-top display of brilliant color and natural propensity to flourish the moment itâs planted, the Barbara Karst Bougainvillea will make a huge splash in your garden landscape. Get your order in today! This popular variety is expected to go fast!
How to Grow Beautiful Barbara Karst Bougainvillea – Tips and Tricks for Success
How big does a Barbara karst bougainvillea get?
The Barbara Karst Bougainvillea can get quite large, which I love because it makes such a statement in my garden. Mine has grown to about 15 feet tall and wide, though I’ve read that in optimal conditions, they can get even bigger. This vigorous growth means it can cover a fence or trellis wonderfully, creating a lush, colorful barrier.
When to plant Barbara karst bougainvillea?
Choosing the Right Time and Location: The best time to plant your Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is in spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed. Select a location that receives full sun, ideally at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Bougainvillea thrives in warm temperatures. Ensure the planting site has well-draining soil.
Is Barbara karst a red bougainvillea?
Barbara Karst is the bougainvillea-industry standard for red, but it’s actually the darkest shade of hot pink; only the new growth is truly red in color. Leaves are dark blue-green, and broadly ovate. Vigorous, showy vine shines with bright magenta red blooms. Gives a fine cover to patios or arbors. Also a good groundcover for banks.
Does Barbara karst bougainvillea need a trellis?
Barbara Karst Bougainvillea is a vigorous vine and will benefit from some form of support to climb and showcase its blooms. You can install a trellis, fence, or other climbing structure near the planting site. Additional Tips: You can amend the planting area with some compost or organic matter to improve drainage and provide initial nutrients.