Pruning bougainvilleas

[Mike Napper]

We have a bougainvillea in our conservatory 3 feet high and trained up 3 canes. It is now beginning to look untidy, how should we prune it?

[KARL]

I have seen plenty of B's in warmer climates and it seems pretty clear that they are very robust shrubs there. The last time I saw one pruned it was a glorious one more than 2m tall and all that was left wer several hacked stumps some 20-30cm tall sticking out of the ground. Thje owner told me he does this once a year or so and it always grows back. Only new growth blossoms so think about severe pruning. If you are worried, have a look at the leaflets (free) in B&Q for tools and techniques - borrow or buy a book if you want to know lots about the subject.