Bougainvillea Bambino™ Maudi

Common Name: Firefly Bougainvillea – known as Bougainvillea Bambino ‘Maudi’

Description:
Bougainvillea Bambino ‘Maudi’ is a vibrant dwarf bougainvillea, prized for its compact, bushy habit and striking claret-red paper-like bracts that bloom heavily from spring through to autumn in Melbourne's climate. This adaptable plant thrives in hot, sunny positions with well-draining soil, ideal for both garden beds and containers. Regular light pruning after each bloom flush stimulates further flowering, while annual application of slow-release or high-potassium fertilisers enhances vivid bract display. Though frost-sensitive when young, it becomes very hardy once established and copes well with dry conditions typical of local summers.

Form:

• Shrub – Medium

• Climber (can be trained on trellises, fences, arches)

Mature Size:

• Height: 1–1.5 m

• Width: 1–1.5 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun (tolerates Part Shade)

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

• Flowers in Summer

• Flowers in Autumn

• Blooms most of the year under warm conditions

Flower Colour:

• Claret‑red / deep purple‑red bracts

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Disease Resistant (virtually pest‑ and disease‑free)

• Bird Attracting

• Bee Attracting

• Perennial

• Suitable for Hedging

• Suitable for Topiary

• Suitable for Espalier

• Drought Tolerant once established

• Coastal Hardy

• Thorny (with softer, smaller spikes compared to larger bougainvilleas)

• Evergreen (semi-deciduous in cold climates)

Toxicity:

• Not known to be toxic to humans or pets; thorns may cause minor skin injury.

Companion Plants:

• Lavender – for a Mediterranean garden theme

• Salvia – complementary warm‑season blooms

• Agapanthus – contrasting foliage and bloom

• Dwarf Grevillea – enhances bird and bee attraction