Mandevilla (Mandevilla splendens): Tropical Vine with Showy Trumpets

Mandevilla (Mandevilla splendens), also sold as dipladenia, is a vigorous, twining vine with glossy, deep green leaves and large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, red, or white. It blooms prolifically from late spring to frost, bringing tropical flair to patios and gardens.

Features

The vine can climb 10–20 feet in a season. The flowers are 3–5 inches across with a yellow throat. It is often grown in containers with a trellis or as a hanging basket. In frost-free zones (10–11), it is evergreen; elsewhere, overwinter indoors or grow as an annual.

Care

Full sun (afternoon shade in hottest climates); rich, well-drained soil. Keep evenly moist. Feed every 2 weeks with high-phosphorus fertilizer. Prune in late winter. Watch for spider mites and mealybugs.

Taxonomy

• Family: Apocynaceae
• Genus: Mandevilla
• Species: splendens
• Synonyms: Dipladenia splendens, Mandevilla boliviensis