The “good old days” really weren’t that great, even for gardening. There were no Wave petunias. Fireworks grass was non-existent, and there certainly were no mandevilla plants to be found.
Have you tried mandevilla? As plants go, it’s a fairly recent newcomer. It’s native to tropical hotspots like Brazil. Because it performs so beautifully as a potted outdoor summer annual, plant breeders brought it into captivity and now it’s frequently found in garden centers if you seek it out. As with most plants, much of the preferred care can be learned from observing their native habitat: warm tropics in the case of mandevilla.
Mandevilla plants develop a vining habit and produce beautiful trumpet-shaped blossoms. Garden centers sell plants in several sizes, such as smaller 4-inch potted plants for transplanting to larger containers, or ready-to-go plants in bigger pots already climbing on a trellis support. Mandevilla plants can be grown in a container all summer, or they can be transplanted into the ground at the base of a trellis. Most gardeners grow them in a pot at least 10 to 12 inches in diameter, enjoying them as a trellised, climbing container plant.
Here are tips for best care:
- Mandevillas love sunshine and heat. Full, all-day sun is preferred. Six to eight hours of sunshine are a minimum. They’re a great choice for sunny, hot southern exposures where other container plants suffer.
- Although they like heat and sun, they also require timely moisture. They shouldn’t be exposed to repeated suffering from water neglect. Allow to dry a bit, like most container plants, but then water thoroughly between slight dryings.
- Because they’re native to rich, organic tropical soils, potting mix high in peat moss is important. Miracle Gro potting mix works well, as do the custom blends recommended from locally-owned garden centers.
- To encourage plentiful, continuous production of flowers, regular fertilizing is very important. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer like Miracle Grow every two weeks. Osmocote timed-release fertilizer granules are also very effective. Supplement with water soluble fertilizer every 3 weeks or so.
- Mandevillas will suffer at temperatures below about 45 degrees. If you’d like to preserve plants over winter, bring indoors in late summer and grow in a very sunny south window or sunroom. Plants will frequently develop yellow leaves, and quit blooming during winter. Reduce watering and stop fertilizing in winter. Cut back to about 6 inches above soil level in early spring (March) and repot into fresh potting mix. Fresh growth should sprout from the bare stems. When all danger of frost is past, transition the plant outdoor gradually, beginning in shade or filtered sun for a week. Then move to its sunny destination.
We’re on the sixth year for one of our own mandevilla plants. We’ve named it Amandavilla, after our oldest daughter Amanda. If you haven’t grown mandevilla, give them a try. They’re doing very well in the region.
Happy Gardening!” 
