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Index > Garden Blog

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Calliandra Tree everyone should have: how big and fast does it grow?

🎈 Calliandra Tree everyone should have: how big and fast does it grow?

Calliandra houstoniana - Tree Calliandra - is the only tree form of Powderpuff. It quickly grows into a bushy beautiful tree under 20 ft - in just one season, and fluffy pink flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies year around 🦋

📚 More prom previous post:
What Tree Calliandra brings into your garden

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How to grow Mandevilla: Practical Guide to Growing Mandevilla Vine

Mandevilla amabilis
Thai Rose

Mandevilla amabilis Thai Rose

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson on a trellis

Mandevilla Sun Parasol Crimson on a trellis

Mandevilla amabilis
Thai Rose

Mandevilla amabilis Thai Rose

Mandevilla Stars and Stripes

Mandevilla Stars and Stripes

🌺 How to grow Mandevilla: Practical Guide to Growing Mandevilla Vine
  • 🌺 Mandevilla is a tropical vine known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom throughout the warm months. This fast-growing climber thrives in warm climates and adds a stunning display of color to gardens and patios.
  • 🌺 Difference Between Mandevilla and Dipladenia

  • The names Mandevilla and Dipladenia are often used interchangeably, creating confusion. While they are closely related, there are key differences. Mandevilla is a vigorous woody vine with large, stiff leaves, ideal for trellises and fences. Dipladenia, on the other hand, has a more compact growth habit with smaller, smooth leaves. Dipladenia can be also trained on a trellis but also thrives in hanging baskets or as a compact specimen plant. As a bushier type of Mandevilla, its smaller, more compact varieties are excellent for mixed containers.
  • 🌺 Growing in the Ground

💋Soil. Mandevilla prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of garden soil, compost, and sand ensures good drainage and fertility. Both Mandevilla and Dipladenia require acidic soil. If your native soil contains limestone, consider growing them in containers with a peat-based potting mix to maintain a lower pH.
  • 💋Light. Plant in a location with full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of direct sunlight promotes the best blooms.

  • Water Mandevilla regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. During hot months, water deeply a few times a week. Reduce watering in cooler seasons.
  • 💋Feeding and Encouraging More Blooms: Feed Mandevilla with Sunshine Boosters Megaflor with every watering to encourage more blooms. Prune lightly after flowering to promote new growth and continuous flowering.

  • 🌺 Most Interesting Varieties

  • Mandevilla flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, mauve, pink, white, and even yellow. For vibrant color and impact, consider these varieties:

💋Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’ – A classic pink variety with large flowers and vigorous growth.
  • 💋Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol’ Series – Offers compact plants in deep red, pink, or white, great for containers or small spaces.
  • 💋Mandevilla ‘Crimson Red’ – Deep red blooms stand out against glossy green foliage.
  • 💋Dipladenia ‘Stars and Stripes’ - features striking red-and-white striped blooms.

  • In Florida, Sun Parasol and Alice du Pont perform exceptionally well, thriving in the heat and humidity while providing season-long blooms.

  • 🌺 Pests and Problems

  • Mandevilla is relatively pest-resistant but can attract aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. To manage pests:

💋Spray with a neem oil solution weekly if pests are present.
  • 💋Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to control aphids naturally.
  • 💋Remove affected leaves and rinse plants with a strong stream of water.
  • 💋Watch for fungal diseases in humid climates; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.


🌺 Growing Mandevilla in Pots and Winter Care
Mandevilla grows beautifully in containers, making it a great option for cooler climates where it can be brought indoors for winter.
  • 💋Pot Growing Tips:

· Use a well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration.
  • · Choose a pot at least 12-16 inches in diameter, with several drainage holes, for vigorous growth.
  • · Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, avoiding waterlogged conditions.


💋Winter Care:
  • · In regions with frost, move potted Mandevilla indoors to a bright, cool location (50-60°F).
  • · Reduce watering and stop fertilizing during cooler season.
  • · Prune lightly before bringing indoors to maintain shape and size.
  • · Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in early spring before active growth begins, refreshing the soil and upgrading to a slightly larger container if needed.


With the right care, Mandevilla provides stunning, long-lasting blooms and thrives in gardens or pots, making it a versatile and rewarding addition to any space.

📚 Learn more from previous post:
How to overwinter Mandevilla indoors

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What flower smells like warm chocolate?

Portlandia - Glorious Flower of Cuba

🍭 What flower smells like warm chocolate?
  • 🎂 Portlandia - Glorious Flower of Cuba is a rare treasure, boasting bell-shaped blossoms that exude a luscious perfume reminiscent of warm, creamy chocolate.
  • 🎂 Even better, it's one of the few tropical plants that can handle alkaline soils, making it a true gem for any collector seeking a fragrant and hardy addition to their garden.


🛒 Order Portlandia

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What is another symbol of Hawaii besides Plumeria?

Stephanotis floribunda - Bridal Bouquet

🌈 What is another symbol of Hawaii besides Plumeria?
  • ❤️ Stephanotis floribunda - Bridal Bouquet, or Hawaiian Wedding flower, famous for its role in bridal bouquets and fragrant haku leis.
  • ❤️ Its tubular, waxy, creamy-white blossoms release a sweet, unforgettable aroma.
  • ❤️ Whether trained as a bush or vine, this controllable climber loves full to partial sun and rewards consistent watering and fertilizing with multiple blooms throughout the year.
  • ❤️ If you're looking for something extra special, the rare variegated version sports uniquely patterned leaves, adding even more charm to this romantic favorite.


🛒Plant fragrant Stephanotis Vine

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What is the best fast growing flowering bush for a privacy screen

Calliandra haematocephala Alba - White Powderpuff

🦋 What is the best fast growing flowering bush for a privacy screen

🫶 Calliandra haematocephala Alba - White Powderpuff is very rare and beautiful variety, rare in cultivation. It is a vigorous and very fast growing bush.

📚 More Calliandras from previous posts:

🛒 Shop Calliandras - Powderpuffs

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The most unusual, fast growing butterfly bush: Summer Snow

Malvaviscus x penduliflorus Variegata - Summer Snow

🔥The most unusual, fast growing butterfly bush: Summer Snow

😐 Malvaviscus x penduliflorus Variegata - "Summer Snow"- is very rare variegated variety Turk's Cap, or Firecracker Hibiscus. It will grow into a full size 6 ft large bush within just one season! Some leaves can be completely white! If trained into a standard, it will look like a decorated Christmas tree!

📚 More from previous post:
How Turk's Cap can be full of snow in Summer

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Spectacular winter-flowering flame vine that everyone wants

Senecio confusus - Mexican flame vine, rangleglow Vine

🔥 Spectacular winter-flowering flame vine that everyone wants
  • 🔥 Senecio confusus - Mexican flame vine, or Orangleglow Vine - is a fast-growing showstopper that rewards minimal care with brilliant orange, daisy-like flowers almost year-round.
  • 🔥 For sheer beauty, this vigorous climber is hard to beat, covering itself with blooms from November through Spring, then sporadically for the rest of the year.
  • 🔥 Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds love it, and its thick evergreen leaves create a lush background for the bright blossoms.
  • 🔥 Drought resistance and few pest problems make it a perfect pick for beginners who want a dazzling floral display with little fuss.


📚 Learn more:
A Fiesta of Mexican Flowers for beginners and butterflies

🛒Plant Mexican Flame Vine

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When is the season for the Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

💔 When is the season for the Bleeding Hearts
  • ❣️ Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) is named for its red and white flowers that look like dangling hearts.
  • ❣️ Native to tropical West Africa, this climber thrives in bright light and can be grown as a houseplant or trained on a trellis.
  • ❣️ It shows off its most spectacular blooms in winter, but with enough light, it'll happily flower year-round.


📚 More about Clerodendrums in previous posts:

🛒Get your own Bleeding Heart

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Sunny showy Winter bloomer

ecoma stans - Yellow Elder

🦋 Sunny showy Winter bloomer

Tecoma stans - Yellow Elder - has been blooming for months. Spectacular winter bloomer!

📚 More from previous post:
Easy and showy butterfly attracting bush

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How many flowers on Night Blooming Jasmine?

Night Blooming Jasmine - Cestrum nocturnum

⭐️ How many flowers on Night Blooming Jasmine?

💤 Night Blooming Jasmine - Cestrum nocturnum - is completely covered with flowers when it's in full bloom. The show is as impressive as the fragrance! How many flowers do you see on this plant?

📚 Learn more from previous posts:
How to grow Night Blooming Jasmine
This magical fragrance follows you
Why everybody wants Night Blooming Jasmine

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