Help!

At the Bath show 10 days ago I bought a bougainvillea for my sister as hers had died after 5 years. It is supposed to be for her birthday in August, so I have a bit of time.
The problem is its' flowers are falling like rosy purple rain on my carpet! And the odd leaf... I thought it would be OK as I have a smaller one of my own on the windowsill which is fine. The only problem I have had with these before is frost [and snails]
Any advice please? :eek:

 

ypu could perhaps get your sister to do what the queen does and have an official and an unoficial birthday, this way you could give her your present before all the purple dropped off.

 

Liz it may be that change of environment - and it will settle. But more likely it could be something like overwatering or chilling at the place you got it. I'd be inclined to take it back for a replacement if you can.

For a plant to shed leaves and flowers it must have had a shock of some kind.

 

Oh dear! thanks both- too late for an unofficial birthday, it has about 4 flowers left :(
Perhaps it will recover in time for her birthday. It wasn't cheap, I chose a colour as close as I could get to her old one. The little Morrisons cheap one is fine.

 

Can you take it back for a replacement?. Cos I worry a bit that even if it settles and survives, that it will not reflower in time for her birthday?