How To Get Beautiful Bougainvillea

What's the secret to coaxing bougainvillea to unfurl its bright colors in summer?

—Glenda Hoenk, Rochester, Minnesota

Melinda: Proper care year-round is the key to beautiful bougainvillea. The plants thrive when kept in warm sunny spots for summer and cooler yet bright locations in winter. During summer, you may want to move it outdoors to your porch, patio or deck. Keep the soil slightly moist and fertilize it with a diluted solution made for flowering plants. In winter, you should allow the soil to dry a little between waterings. If you'd like, prune the plant in spring for shape and size, but don't be overly anxious to repot it. These plants do best when the roots are slightly pot-bound.