Bright yellow trumpets open from midsummer to late autumn on a fast-growing evergreen vine that gives off a delicate fruity fragrance when placed in full sun. Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica), the golden trumpet, is grown to clothe arbours and fences; give it warmth, sun and sharply drained soil and it flowers all summer long.
| Name | Allamanda cathartica |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Type | climbing vine |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | rather light |
| Foliage | evergreen |
| Flowering | midsummer to late autumn |
This spectacular trumpet vine bestows us with sumptuous yellow blooming all summer long.
The planting of an allamanda is an important step, even though it cannot be planted outdoors everywhere. Planting in a pot is an option in some cases.
Allamanda can survive outdoors year-round only in mild-wintered areas. It cannot withstand temperatures below freezing.
If you live in mild climates, plant it in spring in light soil.
Indeed, wind tends to dry plants out, and Allamanda is vulnerable to air that is too dry.
Additionally, as a precaution against transplant shock, cover it with a shade veil for 2-3 weeks just after planting, if the weather is very hot. Later on, this isn’t necessary.
Growing allamanda in pots is recommended everywhere temperatures drop below 40°F (5°C) during winter.
To winterize your allamanda, simply bring your potted vine in a well-lit place where it doesn’t freeze over winter.
You can prune it beforehand to make it easier to handle and move around. As you’ll see right below, Allamanda will survive all the pruning woes you subject it to, so don’t hold back!
Allamanda takes pruning well, it even helps it grow stronger.
Indeed, this is a vigorous climbing vine we’re dealing with, sometimes even invasive. Pruning it is the way to set boundaries to its growth.
Allamanda asks for very little, but each job has its moment. Here is what the plant needs, and when.
| Task | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Spring | Light, very free-draining soil in a warm spot sheltered from wind |
| Feeding | Spring to summer | Flower plant fertiliser once or twice a month, above all in pots |
| Watering | Summer and heat waves | Water in the evening, preferably with rain water, and spray the leaves |
| Watering | Winter | Cut right back to about once a month |
| Pruning | End of winter | Prune before growth renews; even severe pruning is tolerated |
| Winterising | Before it drops below 40°F (5°C) | Move the pot to a well-lit, frost-free shed, garage or cool greenhouse |
Follow that rhythm and the vine will flower from midsummer right through to late autumn.
Allamanda is an easy plant to grow when in the proper environment.
Allamanda cherishes moisture and needs watering in case of heat waves. But don’t forget that the root area must drain well or the roots will rot!
The allamanda vine has particularly high water needs during the 1st year after planting.
In particularly dry areas, find ways to increase air moisture in the vicinity of the plant. A nearby fountain or bird bath could do the trick outdoors.
Allamanda is a plant that resists most parasites and diseases.
If leaves turn brown and curl, most probably aphids are colonizing the plant.
This vine is also vulnerable to red spider mite attacks.
Luckily, it’s also a favorite of pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies and even birds to the garden.
Also called golden trumpet, allamanda grows fast and offers spectacular blooming in summer.
It illuminates the garden with its bright yellow flowers.
When placed in full sun, for instance on the edge of a deck, it spreads a delicate fruity fragrance.
All the parts of the plant induce skin photosensitivity. This means they make skin more vulnerable to irritation due to ultra-violet rays. Handle it with gloves to avoid this toxicity.
Furthermore, ingesting the plant causes nausea and vomiting.
Nurseries offer several named forms of Allamanda cathartica, and they differ far more in vigour than in colour. Use the table below to match the plant to an arbour, a trellis or a simple patio pot.
| Variety | Flower | Habit | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Grandiflora’ | Large, pale lemon yellow | Moderate, semi-scrambling | Trellis in a conservatory |
| ‘Compacta’ | Golden yellow, freely borne | Dwarf and shrubby | Patio pots, no support needed |
| ‘Nobilis’ | Bright yellow, lightly fragrant | Vigorous climber | Sunny walls and warm porches |
| ‘Hendersonii’ | Deep golden yellow, bronze buds | Very vigorous climber | Arbours, pergolas, large fences |
Allamanda is most wonderful when permitted to climb up and around arbors and fences.
Nonetheless, even simply to decorate a mound of dirt, the golden trumpet vine produces beautiful results.
Judge for yourself, here with a beautiful red Dracaena marginata!
To produce spectacular blooms, add special organic flower plant fertilizer from spring to summer.
