Question
I have black fingers but recently moved to AZ from SC and am desperate to have some color in my garden.  I love Bougainvillea and have heard they're resillient.  I don't know how to plant them ... how deep, how much space between them, can they be planted right up against a wall, can I plant them today in 60 degree weather etc.  HELP!?

Answer
Hi Sue,
Thanx for your question.  I used to live in the Phoenix/Glendale area many years ago.  What part of Arizona are you in?  Bougainvillea are reliably hardy in the low desert areas of Arizona and around Yuma and Parker.  A hard frost may kill a plant down to the ground but a sturdy, mature plant can survive a few frosts here and there.  You can plant them against a wall and you can plant them in the fall but it's getting rather late now.  You run the risk of a light frost damaging the plant.  The best time to plant is in the spring or early fall.  Make a hole slightly larger and deeper than the root ball so that the root can sit comfortably in the hole and the plant is just slightly lower in the hole.  Cover with soil and give it a good soaking.  Side dress in the spring and mid summer with well-composted manure.  Be sure to water once a week when there is no regular rain.  I would plant them 5  or 6 feet apart as they will spread out.  I hope this helps.
Tom