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Overview
The Mandevilla is an evergreen twining climber with glossy green leaves up to 6 cms long that is ideally suited to pots on patios, bringing vibrant colour to close-up eye level.
In spring and summer it produces splendid rose pink to red open faced, tubular flowers with bright yellow centres.
Mandevilla sanderi is not frost hardy but attracts birds, it will tolerate some drought and is generally quite self sufficient.
Potted plants can live outside on the patio happily over winter in most areas of Australia.
In cooler climates they can be kept indoors over winter.
Varieties include:"Alice du Pont" - has pure pink flowers and is more vigorous than the species.
There are an increasing number of cultivars on the market in a variety of striking colours.
Soil: Rich and fertile, well drained but moist soils with some added organic matter.
Ensure the soil is not waterlogged as the tuberous roots will rot.
If you have heavy soil then grow them in pots.
Maintenance: Keep well watered in hot conditions (but be careful not to overdo it) and cut back after flowering.
Can be trained to climb up trellises or on wires against a wall to provide a lush and leafy display spotted with a beautiful array of colourful flowers.
They will benefit from a liquid fertiliser once every two weeks - a good one to use is a Tomato fertiliser, though any general purpose liquid fertiliser will do.
Do not overwater in winter.
Diseases: None of note but can attract mealybugs, scales and sometimes prone to aphids.
Toxicity: Do not eat any part of the plant as it is mildly toxic.
Due to the low levels of toxicity it is best to keep children and pets away from these plants.
Rock Trumpet plants contain a milky white sap which flows out from cut areas of the plant, especially from the stems and leaves.
When this sap comes in contact with the skin, it causes irritation so wear gloves when pruning or deadheading.
Other Species: About 100 species in all. Others include M. laxa - the Chilean Jasmine (loses its leaves in winter), M.scabra, M.boliviensis and M.splendens.
Comments: Named after Henry Mandeville (1773-1861) - British diplomat and gardener.
Author: Bob Saunders.