Question
In my earlier question about bougainvillea I mentioned that I live just south of Austin,TX and that winter temperatures are usually mild seldom getting below freezing but occasionally getting as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit as it did this last winter. I had covered the plants with a plant blanket but they did not survive. What are the most cold tolerant varieties and what are tips for pulling bougainvillea thru the winter. A neighbor has covered his with brown plastic and gotten survival in past years.

Answer
Hello again Chuck

Ah - this makes things clearer!  All bougainvillea are, as I said in my previous answer, half hardy to frost tender.  This means that they will not survive at temperatures below freezing - freezing point on the Fahrenheit scale being 32 degrees.  Ten degrees F. is way too cold for any bougainvillea to survive.

I'm so sorry you lost this beautiful plant, but the weather this past winter was exceptional everywhere and may not happen again for decades (hopefully)!  Why not plant anew - we gardeners are, after all, external optimists!!

Gill