Mandevilla

I was briefly acquainted with the Mandevilla; twice in fact. But both encounters were fleeting at best.

It was easy to fall for the Mandevilla. It’s a handsome specimen with glossy ovate leaves and blooms that look like a cross between a plumeria and an alamanda.

Its climbing habit gives the Mandevilla a grace that the alamanda, with its stiff woody stems, lacks.

The Mandevilla comes in almost every shade of pink, white, red and yellow. What’s more, there are double petalled variants as well.

But just about every pest in the garden liked the Mandevilla too; the mealy bugs, aphids and scales loved it to death.

Perhaps if I had been more liberal with the pesticide, my Mandevilla would still be alive today. Its premature death meant I never got to see it in its full glory.

Whenever I see a Mandevilla at the garden centres I am a little tempted to get a replacement.

I’ve been resisting the temptation so far. … let’s see how long my resolve lasts.

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Care and propagation : indirect, filtered or partial sun, well drained garden soil, water moderately. Propagate using cuttings

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