Create Your Garden

Bougainvillea ‘California Gold’

California Gold' Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea California Gold, California Gold Bougainvillea, Orange Bougainvillea, Evergreen Shrub, Yellow Bougainvillea

One of the top performing yellow Bougainvillea varieties, ‘California Gold’ is a free-flowering, vigorous, evergreen shrub or vine with clusters of warm golden yellow, papery bracts surrounding tiny creamy-white flowers. Blooming periodically throughout the year in warm winter areas, and from summer to fall elsewhere, the colorful blossoms give way to small inconspicuous fruits, 1/2 in. long (1 cm). The flowers are borne on stems clad with short thorns and dull, wavy-edged, ovate green leaves. They do not cling and may require tying for support.

  • Fast-growing, this Bougainvillea can be of variable size, depending on how it is maintained and the support provided. If left unpruned, it could get as high and wide as 15-30 ft. (4.5-9 m).
  • Thrives in full sun or light shade, in acid, well-drained soils. Bougainvillea tolerates hot, dry locations fairly well, but dislikes constantly wet soils. Good drought tolerance once established but will look better if watered during dry spells. Water freely in summer and sparingly in the winter. Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season.
  • Excellent choice for mass plantings, as specimen plants, wall-side borders, groundcovers for banks, in rock gardens, and containers. Can also be espaliered or trained on a standard or grown in a large basket.
  • Deer resistant with a good salt spray tolerance. While it can be grown near the shore, some light protection should be provided.
  • Regular pruning may be required to keep inbounds or shape the plant. Always prune this plant immediately after flowering. Be aware that repetitive pruning may reduce flowering as this plant flowers on new growth. Pinching the tips of new growth will encourage branching.
  • Cuttings 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), put under mist, will usually root in 4 to 6 weeks.

Bougainvillea: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for Bougainvillea like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these charming plants.

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Climbers, Shrubs
Plant Family Nyctaginaceae
Genus Bougainvillea
Common names Bougainvillea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 8' - 30' (240cm - 9.1m)
Spread 5' - 30' (150cm - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Bougainvillea
Not sure which Bougainvillea to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Bougainvillea Oo-la-la
Bougainvillea ‘La Jolla’
Bougainvillea ‘Imperial Delight’
Bougainvillea ‘Helen Johnson’
Bougainvillea x buttiana ‘Barbara Karst’
Bougainvillea x buttiana ‘Afterglow’

Recommended Companion Plants

Cordyline ‘Pink Passion’ (Cabbage Tree)
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

40 Tropical Plants for Your Outdoor Garden
30 Tropical Flowers for Your Garden or as House Plants
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Climbers, Shrubs
Plant Family Nyctaginaceae
Genus Bougainvillea
Common names Bougainvillea
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 8' - 30' (240cm - 9.1m)
Spread 5' - 30' (150cm - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Bougainvillea
Not sure which Bougainvillea to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Bougainvillea ‘California Gold’ do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Bougainvillea ‘California Gold’ N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone