Yuletide Plants- Allamanda
THE genius Allamanda, a Yuletide plant that originated from tropical America, contains between 12 and 15 species of evergreen vines, shrubs, including both semi- climbing and upright types.
Members of the dogbane ( Apocynaceae) family include the famous fragrant plumeria ( frangipani), showy desert rose – Adeniums, and the lovely white flowered Tabernaemotanas ( pinwheel flowers).
There are not many plants as popular in tropical climates gardens as Allamanda cathartica with its golden trumpets covering the entire plant year round. It is easy in cultivation, fast growing and will add colour and sunshine in any landscape, in no time.
Allamanda cathartica “Brown Bud” Allamanda is the most commonly grown variety with reddish- brown flower buds which open into bright yellow blossoms as much as four inches across and six inches long. Although it is large and fast growing, this is a well- behaved plant that won’t overtake your property while your back is turned. This vine needs some sort of support.
The long trainable stems of Allamanda cathartica admit them to classification as vining plants. But the growth is lax and pliable only when it is young and becomes brittle at maturity. Allamanda cathartica is a perennial plant, which becomes quite woody over time, but it requires a trellis or a fence for support.
It does not twine and does not have tendrils or aerial roots. These tropical plants are referred to as vines but they are really shrubs with long stems. It can be pruned into a shrub form. If not pruned, it can sprawl to a height of 6 meters ( 20 feet). You must train it to go where you want since it doesn’t have twining tendrils. Otherwise you can grow it as a rambling shrub, ideal in a cottage garden landscape style. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its large beautiful flowers. The flowers are produced in clusters ( cymes) at the stem tips throughout the year.
The yellow flowering vine is well known. Varieties in colour include yellow ( single and double, dwarf, bush vines), cherry, white, peach, chocolate, cream and golden orange. Recently, a few new interesting cultivars were brought into the plant market, “cherry Jubilee” vine with waxy mauve flowers. It’s hard to believe they are real. They became one of the most sought after. Cream and chocolate flowers vary in shades.
A very rare hybrid from Thailand with white flowers is called “Alba” or “Blanca.” It has smaller leaves and is a more delicate vine than the traditional vigorous yellow flower species. Some varieties, including “cherry” and “Blanca”, are sweetly fragrant, especially during warm evening hours.
Allamandas are different in shapes and growth habit. From a dwarf shrub
( Allamanda schottii compacta) suitable for borders and ground cover to full sized shrubs are Allamanda cathartica and vigorous vines that can cover a fence with beautiful mass within one to two seasons ( Allamanda hendersonii, Allamanda violaceae “Cherry Jubilee”). These luxuriant, colourful and flamboyant plants are the epitome of a tropical shrub. Popular for ornamental use in climates similar to their native habitat, the se plants can also be grown in sheltered areas or conservatories in colder climates.
With care, they also make colourful indoor pot plant subjects in cooler climates. The genus is named for an 18th century Swiss botanist, Frederic Allamand. Allamada means
“Heavenly Chief ”. The milky sap of Allamanda cathartica plant contains a strong toxin, which may cause severe skin irritation. It is recommended to wear gloves when pruning it. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, but pets and other animals are not affected. Avoid placing where children might munch.
In ethno- botanical use, traditional medicine, the roots are used against jaundice, complication with malaria and enlarged spleen. The flowers are used as a laxative. It has an antibiotic action against staphylococcus. In tropical gardens, Allamandas are used in many ways – as accent or specimen plant in landscape or border, trained or espaliered against fence or wall, on all kinds of garden structures, and even as a showy hedge. In any climate, they are brilliant subjects for showy displays in outdoor containers, if they can be brought indoors for the winter.
Allamanda cathartica does not like the cold at all. As a tropical plant, it needs average to warm temperature, 18C ( 650- 800 F). It will tolerate a minimum of 150C ( 590F) in cold climate. Also, this plant needs moderate to high humidity ( 50 per cent relative humidity or higher). Use a humidity tray or room humidifier. Even the northernmost gardener can enjoy an indoor Allamanda flowering vine. Allamanda is native to South America as such it requires high light, consistently warm temperatures and humidity of at least 50 per cent. These conditions are hard to simulate in an average home in northern cold climates without grow lights, humidifiers and heaters. Green house conditions are often ideal for Allamanda plant care. These golden trumpet houseplants can recharge and produce the amazing bright 5- inch blooms characteristic of the Allamanda.
Indoor Allamanda flowering vine needs structural support for the rambling stems. You can keep it pruned for a more compact plant. It is important to remember when pruning Allamandas that the blooms appear in clusters at the tip of new shoots, pruning or cutting back new shoots will affect the blooming of the plant. Prune carefully and selectively. Landscape Uses: Equally at home in formal landscaping or a more casual setting, all this pretty shrub needs to keep it neat and tidy is trimming to bring out its naturally elegant form.