The Mandevilla is a climbing shrub that blooms in the Netherlands and Belgium from May to October. It is a popular summer bloomer for the garden, on the balcony or terrace. The exotic climbing plant originates from South America. The plant has large trumpet-shaped flowers in red, pink, white, apricot, lilac and yellow that bloom early in summer until well into autumn. This climbing plant wants to overwinter frost-free to flower again after each winter.
- The Apocynaceae family (the periwinkle family)
- The genus Mandevilla
- Different names for the same plant
- Description of the Mandevilla
- The leaves and roots of the Mandevilla
- The flower of the Mandevilla
- The fruit of the Mandevilla
- The Mandevilla is slightly poisonous
- Overwinter Mandevilla
- The propagation of the Mandevilla
The Apocynaceae family (the periwinkle family)
The genus Mandevilla is related to the Apocynaceae (periwinkle family). The periwinkle family has 130 genera and 2000 species. In the Netherlands and Belgium different types of the periwinkle family occur such as:
- the lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor);
- the periwinkle (Vinca major);
- the Hoya or wax flower.
The genus Mandevilla
The Mandevilla genus consists of more than 100 species. They are native creepers of the Southwestern United States, Central America (especially Mexico), the West Indies, and South America. Many species originate from the tropical mountain forests of Brazil.
Different names for the same plant
The genus name Mandevilla was given in 1840 by the English botanist John Lindley (1799-1865), as a tribute to the English diplomat and botanist John Henry Mandeville (1773-1861). John Henry Mandeville was the first to discover and introduce the plant. In 1896, the plant was given the botanical name Dipladenia mandevilla from the English botanist William Botting Hemsley (who first described it). A botanical name aims to make the plant recognizable worldwide and from 1896 the plant was officially called Dipladenia.
From Dipladenia back to Mandevilla
In 1933, after extensive scientific research on the virgin plant family, including Dipladenia, the plant was reclassified by RE Woodson and officially named Mandevilla. Dipladenia became the old name for the plant and Mandevilla the new name.
Mandevilla and brand names
The plant with the new name Mandevilla is still used in 2019 alongside the old name Dipladenia. Various breeders, who cultivate new types of Mandevillas, also give a brand name in addition to the Mandevilla or Dipladenia, such as:
- Mandevilla sundaville with hybrids from the series Mandevilla ?? Sundaville ??;
- Mandevilla syngenta with a series of hybrids called Rio®;
- Mandavilla Diamantina with the name Mandavilla Diamantina;
- Dipladenia ‘Sundaville’.
Description of the Mandevilla
The plant is native to South America, and the native Mandevilla’s flowering time is from June to October. In nature, the plants get climbing stems up to five meters high that grow upwards with the help of the trees. The plant will flower on the young stems. As a container plant on the terrace or balcony, the Mandevilla is on average about three meters long. The suckers are guided by plant supports such as:
- bamboo sticks;
- an iron arch;
- creeper guide.
The flowering time of the Mandevilla in the Netherlands and Belgium is from early spring to the first frost in autumn. In the spring, place the plant in a place where the night frost will not affect the plant or keep an eye on the weather forecast and place the plant indoors when the forecast of night frost or frost on the ground. Frost can strike unexpectedly and surprisingly after mid-May (ice saints). The cultivated Mandevilla has many colors in pink / red, white, apricot, yellow and lilac, often with a yellow throat in the flower.
The leaves and roots of the Mandevilla
Mandevilla roots are fleshy and somewhat resemble dahlia tubers. The Mandevilla stores reserve food in it and with too much water the roots rot. The Mandevilla has deep green leaves that are opposite each other. The five to six centimeter long leaf has a smooth leaf edge and ends in a point.
The flower of the Mandevilla
The flowers are large and trumpet-shaped and the inflorescence is a terminal raceme where an average of five flowers emerge one by one. The bell-shaped flowers are four to seven centimeters in diameter. Each flower has five petals and a wide, yellow-colored crown tube in the center. The five petals merge into the fairly long crown tube that becomes thinner and thinner and turns a light green to white / green color. The narrow, long crown tube ends in the flower stalk and is surrounded by five pointed and small leaves. In the crown tube we find the male sex organs (five stamens) and the female sex organ (ovary).
The fruit of the Mandevilla
When the plant has finished flowering, cigar-shaped seed pods appear on the plant in the nature of the South American jungles. Should this happen to a plant cultivated on the patio, the flowers on the patio have accidentally been pollinated by a pollen-seeking insect.
The Mandevilla is slightly poisonous
The white milk juice of the Mandevilla is slightly poisonous and the juice cannot be easily removed from clothing.
Overwinter Mandevilla
If necessary, prune the plant back immediately after flowering and place the plant indoors in a place where there is a temperature between 10 and 16 degrees when frost starts. Water little in winter, but the soil of the Mandevilla should not dry out. After winter dormancy, the plant can then return to the living room or terrace when the growth is visible.
The propagation of the Mandevilla
The Mandevilla can be cutted in the summer. Cut off a tendril of about six inches and remove all leaves from the stem except the top growing point. Use cutting powder and the cutting will take root after about four weeks. Propagation is also possible by discarding a tendril. A young vine (cutting) is placed in a hole on the earth next to the mother plant. Secure the shoot with a staple and cover the shoot with soil. The shoot can be replanted after a year.
