Viewing post #1187879 by Deebie

needrain said:This Mandevilla (I think) has been unstoppable. This is the 3rd year for it. Last winter I managed to let it spend the night outside twice when the temperatures fell below freezing and several more times when we had hoar frost settle in. It got damaged badly, but obviously survived. Then half the vine got ripped off a week or so ago when my old sisal rope sling broke. Here is this morning . I got another red Mandevilla this year, but have it growing on a wire arch in full sun. It's got a larger leaf with some ribbing and the red is a harsher, brighter red than this one. I'm sure the new plant is Mandevilla, but isn't there a relative of Mandevilla that looks nearly like it? This one has smaller leaves that are smooth and slick - no hint of ribbing. It didn't take long for it to start blooming and it will bloom until frost.

Yes, Donald there is. Dipladenia has been included in the Mandevilla genus. It is now Mandevilla Sanderi. It is a more tender plant than Mandevilla Amoena 'Alice Dupont' which over winters in the ground for me with pine straw mulch for protection. The former has to be kept indoors over winter. Both plants love full sun here in zone 8a and are bloom all summer until frost.