If you’re looking for a plant with showy blooms that last most of the year, look no further than the mandevilla.
Though these heat-loving shrubby vines native to southeastern Brazil are at their peak now, they bloom from April through November; one variety flowers continuously.
Now is a good time to plant one because it should establish quickly in the warm weather.
“The mandevilla is a really versatile plant,” says Gary Matsuoka, president of Laguna Hills Nursery in Lake Forest. “Not only is it a dependable bloomer most or all of the year, it can be used as a background plant, border plant, centerpiece in a container–and one variety even makes a great hanging basket plant.”
The variety most often found in nurseries, in 2- or 5-gallon containers, is ‘Alice du Pont,’ which has reddish-rose flowers and dark green, glossy oval leaves 3 to 8 inches long.
Though this vine can grow 20 to 30 feet in the ground, it stays much smaller when containerized.‘Red Riding Hood’ is another popular variety. It is lower growing and shrubbier than ‘Alice du Pont,’ with deep pink blooms. ‘Red Riding Hood’ makes a good hanging basket plant and blooms most of the year.
‘Scarlet pimpernel’ is another shrubbier type that has reddish-pink blooms, while ‘My Fair Lady’ has a white flower.
To grow mandevilla, keep the following in mind:
* Mandevillas tend to be sensitive to cold and frost. Plant in a warm location (such as a southern exposure), near the house protected by a roof eave or under a patio cover. A location with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, but mandevillas can often take full sun.
* Mandevillas require excellent drainage, especially in winter when they are susceptible to rot. Before planting, dig a hole and fill it with water. If it has not drained in two hours, the drainage is poor and you should look for another location.
When planting in the ground, amend by 50% with homemade or bagged compost and build the soil up in the immediate planting area 2 inches or higher.
* Mandevillas do well in containers. Use 2 parts high-quality potting soil with 1 part sharp sand.
* Provide the vine with support, such as a trellis or stake.
* Mandevillas bloom on new growth. Keep the plant growing well by feeding on a monthly basis with an all-purpose fertilizer.
* Mandevillas should stay evenly moist but not overly wet. Water when the topsoil has become dry.
* Though mandevillas need very little if any pruning, they can tolerate trimming if necessary. Young plants should be pinched to encourage bushiness.
* They aren’t often bothered by pests but can sometimes get aphids, whiteflies or spider mites. Treat with a fine horticultural oil.
