Bouvardia

( bou - VARD - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Bouvardia is an evergreen shrub that attracts hummingbirds and needs partial shade. Water needs vary by species, so ensure that you're getting one for your yard that matches the needs of the plants surrounding it. Flowers appear in clusters, and some species are fragrant. Bouvardia flowers are said to represent enthusiasm, and can also make great house- or greenhouse-plants. Take care when planting these shrubs in the garden, as some species have poisonous plant parts.

bouvardia Species and Varietals

The genus Bouvardia includes about 50 distinct species and is in the family Rubiaceae. The genus is named for Charles Bouvard (1572-1658), a keeper of the Paris Botanical Gardens in the 17th century. Growing zones for Bouvardia vary by species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

​Bouvardia longiflora 'Albatross' (Bouvardia humboldtii 'Albatross') (Scented Bouvardia)
This shrub grows to be 2-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in zones 12, 16, 17, and 19-24. Flowers are scented, similar to the smell of Jasmine. Native to Mexico. Stem tips can be pinched to encourage a bushier look; flowers will appear year-round. Likes fast-draining, rich soil, and can do well in containers. 'Stephanie' is a more compact variety that requires regular water. This is the most widely cultivated species in the genus.

​Bouvardia ternifolia (Bouvardia jacquinii, Bouvardia giaberrima) (Firecracker Bush)
This shrub is unscented, growing in zones 8-10, 12, and 14-24. It is native to Texas and Mexico and grows to reach 3 feet tall and a little less wide. Flowers are red and form in loose clusters at the ends of branches in the late summertime. Some varieties have pink, rose, or coral blossoms. Needs little water to perform well.

Caring for and pruning Bouvardia shrubs

Plant your Bouvardia in an area that receives partial shade (about 3-5 hours per day of sun or dappled shade). They prefer being in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic, soft, loamy, and well-draining. Some species like being in soil that is moist, others prefer little water; see the species descriptions above for more information on watering. To encourage repeat blooms, most varieties will need hard pruning after the blooming period ends. Fertilize from spring through fall every two weeks with a balanced, liquid fertilizer.​

Propagation

​Bouvardia is a plant that can be propagated in a number of ways, including by seed, via cutting, or by root cutting. The easiest way by far is to propagate through dividing the roots; this will give you an identical plant to the parent, increase the health of the parent plant, and is a relatively simple process to complete. To propagate your Bouvardia, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Bouvardia by Root Cutting
Root cutting should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots, and well-draining soil to fill the pots. Your soil should be amended with some sand to increase drainage. To propagate your Bouvardia by division, follow the instructions below:
  1. Identify the plant you're going to take your root cutting from. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will increase the odds that your root cutting will take.. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
  2. Identify a root (or a few roots, if the plant is a large size) that you'd like to use. The root should have at least 4-5 nodes on it. Lay them out on the ground. Then, cut the root segments into 2-3 inch pieces, with the nodes in the center of the pieces. 
  3. Fill your pot(s) with sand-amended soil about 3-4 of the way up, and then place your cutting on top. Cover with about a half inch of soil. Water generously and ensure that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in an area that receives bright, indirect light and stays at a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Your root should begin to grow a new plant in about 3-5 weeks.
  4. Continue to care for your Bouvardia, repotting every year. By its second year, the plant should be in a 6-inch pot, and by its third year, a 10 inch pot. A few months after its third birthday, your plant can be transplanted outdoors in a sunny location with well-draining soil. 

Propagating Bouvardia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, a clear plastic bag, a rubber band, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
  2. In springtime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off some of the lower leaves, leaving the top two on the cutting. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse environment and secure it around the top of the pot with a rubber band. Keep the pot sunny conditions indoors. Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer, and remove the plastic bag every three days to allow fresh air to come in, then replace it. After about 6 to 8 weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep watering your plant when the soil gets dry, but do not allow the soil to become wet. Once the plant is beginning to outgrow the plastic bag, it is alright to remove it.
  5. Continue to care for your Bouvardia, repotting every year. By its second year, the plant should be in a 6-inch pot, and by its third year, a 10 inch pot. A few months after its third birthday, your plant can be transplanted outdoors in a sunny location with well-draining soil. 

Propagating Bouvardia by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the Bouvardia plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. The seeds of Bouvardia plants are very tiny and difficult to collect. The seed pods should be ready to harvest for seeds after flowering has faded. Once you've harvested your seeds, lay them out in a dry, sunny area for about two days to prep them for germination. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining potting soil. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Place all seeds on top of the potting soil in your tray or pot, and cover them with a light dusting of more soil. Plant as many seeds as you can, as they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics (especially with hybrid-variety seeds). The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting Bouvardia you want. 
  3. Keep the soil moist but not wet by spraying it with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 6-8 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedlings' potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, as the plant grows.
  5. Continue to care for your Bouvardia, repotting every year. By its second year, the plant should be in a 6-inch pot, and by its third year, a 10 inch pot. A few months after its third birthday, your plant can be transplanted outdoors in a sunny location with well-draining soil.

Problems and Pests

Bouvardias are considered hardy plants, though they can be affected by:
  • Aphids
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See the links below for more information on these issues, including how to eradicate them:
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Gallery

Bouvardia shrubs are great for edging lawns.
Bouvardia ternifolia planted at the bottom of a Manzanita tree for a water-wise garden bed.
Bouvardia shrubs are frequented by hummingbirds.

Videos

An introduction to Bouvardia shrubs.
How to use Bouvardia in your flower arrangements.

Resources

Wikipedia: Bouvardia
What Flower? Bouvardia
How to Grow and Propagate Bouvardia
Bouvardia ternifolia (Scarlet Bouvardia)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 202, Bouvardia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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