La Jolla Bougainvillea | Compact Fuchsia-Pink Flowering Vine

La Jolla Bougainvillea

5 Gallon· Staked

$79.90

1/4

La Jolla Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea ‘La Jolla’

A compact, shrubby bougainvillea with prolific, brilliant red blooms for small-space color.

$79.90

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

La Jolla is a spectacular, compact bougainvillea cultivar prized for its exceptionally vibrant, long-lasting red blooms and manageable, shrubby growth habit. Unlike the rampant, climbing species, this selection forms a dense, upright shrub with a naturally bushy form that requires less pruning to maintain its shape . From spring through fall, it is almost continuously covered in a profusion of showy, papery bracts in a brilliant, rich red hue, creating a dazzling display of color . The small, inconspicuous white true flowers are nestled within each cluster of three colorful bracts. Armed with long thorns along its branches and clothed in medium-green, oval to heart-shaped leaves, this tough, sun-loving plant is an exceptional choice for adding high-impact, manageable color to smaller gardens, containers, and landscape beds in frost-free climates.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Medium green, oval to heart-shaped leaves; profuse clusters of showy, papery, brilliant red bracts surrounding small, inconspicuous white true flowers; blooms heavily in flushes from spring through fall .
Mature Height: 4-5 ft (can be pruned to maintain size) .
Mature Spread: 3-6 ft (varies with pruning) .
Growth Rate: Moderate .
Hardiness Zones: USDA 9-11 ; Sunset 12-17, 19-24, H1, H2 .
Light Requirement: Full sun (essential for best blooming) .
Core Benefits: Vibrant, long-lasting red color; compact shrubby habit; heat and drought tolerant; fast repeat bloom cycles; salt tolerant; versatile .
Best Uses: Shrub in sunny borders, foundation plantings, low hedges, large containers, hanging baskets (with training), espalier, coastal gardens .

Q: How is 'La Jolla' different from other red bougainvilleas?
A: Its key distinction is its compact, shrubby growth habit. While many red varieties are large, aggressive climbers, 'La Jolla' matures at just 4-5 feet tall, making it manageable in small gardens and containers . Its bushy form also means it requires significantly less pruning to maintain its shape .

Q: How much sun does it need to bloom so prolifically?
A: Full, direct sun is essential . It requires a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sun daily, and more is better. In too much shade, it will produce lush green foliage at the expense of its signature red bracts .

Q: How often should I water it?
A: Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings . Bougainvilleas, including 'La Jolla', flower best when slightly stressed by dryness. Overwatering will lead to excessive foliage growth, fewer flowers, and can cause root rot .

Q: Is it cold hardy?
A: It is reliably hardy outdoors in USDA zones 9-11 . It can tolerate brief light frosts down to about 30-32°F, but is damaged by hard freezes. In zone 9, plant in a protected location. In colder zones, it must be grown in a container and moved indoors to a very bright, cool spot for the winter .

Q: How should I prune it?
A: Prune immediately after a major bloom cycle to shape and control size . It blooms on new wood, so light pruning encourages branching and more flowers. Wear thick gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from its thorns . Avoid heavy pruning in fall, as this removes wood that would bloom the following spring .