Hi

We have now been here 14 months and finding things an uphill struggle.

We put in three bouganvilleas last May by three consecutive supports on our pergola which is virtually south facing, one white and two pink.

The white one put on lots of growth but did not flower until about September when it was spectacular and is now flowering and growing quite happily.

The two pink ones flowered last summer but put on little growth. September time I thought they were growing but was told to cut them off as they were thornless suckers. I noticed then that some of the tips were curling although not falling off.

This year they are not flowering but have grown a bit, about 3-4 foot high now but all the tips are curled.

I have cut off one shoot, tapped it over a piece of paper and looked through a magnifying glass and can see no insects, which I suppose means watering problems. I have been giving them a really good soaking about once a week. Our soil is not very deep although we dug about a 15" hole but on advice did not add any compost.

Any advice?

Also we are having problems with wind as the house sits on top of a hill near the sea and the wind comes from all directions and in the winter the rain is torrential and on our shallow soil we lost quite a few plants over winter, presumably because of waterlogging. We would like to get some trees in but do not want to spoil the spectacular views so nothing too dense.

Can anyone in a similar situation tell us what does well.

Thanks a lot

Barlews