Allamanda Flowering Vines

Allamanda is a vigorous vine covered in bright yellow flowers during the summer. The Brazilian native is a perennial in the tropics, but must be grown as an annual or overwintered in climates that experience freezing temperatures.

Identification

Allamanda is an evergreen climbing vine that can reach 50 feet long. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and often span 5 inches across. The plant's glossy, light-green leaves grow on slender, twining stems that become woody with age. According to Floridata, when the flowers fade, they produce prickly pods that eventually burst and release winged seeds.

Landscape Uses

Allamanda's rapid, sprawling growth habit and eye-catching flowers make the vine a good choice for covering trellises, arbors and fences. According to the University of Florida, allamanda can also be pruned into a shrub.

Requirements

Allamanda vines bloom well in full sun to light shade. They require good drainage and thrive in all but very alkaline soils, which can cause chlorosis in the leaves. They need watering when the soil surface has dried and should be pruned in the spring if grown outdoors year-round.

Warning

All parts of allamanda are poisonous. The plant contains allamandin, which causes vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.

References

• University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service: Allamanda Cathartica
• Floridata: Allamanda Cathartica
• University of Connecticut: Allamanda Cathartica L.

Resources

• International Institute of Tropical Forestry: Allamanda Cathartica L.