About
A woody, twining climber with glossy, evergreen, oval leaves 5-10cm long. In mid- to late summer it produces sprays of three to seven tubular, white flowers 5-9cm across with a yellow eye.
About the genus
Mandevilla can be woody climbers or perennials, often with tuberous roots, and twining stems bearing simple leaves and axillary racemes of showy, funnel-shaped flowers with 5 spreading lobes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClimbing
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toCosta Rica to Bolivia, Brazil
ToxicityMay cause mild stomach upset if eaten, sap may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a temperate or warm greenhouse or conservatory in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light but with shade from hot sun. Young plants can be grown in pots to stand outside in summer. Usually evergreen, but will drop leaves if too cold in winter
PruningPruning group 12 in late winter or early spring
PropagationPropagate by seed sown with heat in spring, or root softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer, with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMaybe susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free