The Dipladenia is not only a popular climbing plant, but also suitable for balconies and terraces. There are well over 100 varieties of it. We have presented the 10 most beautiful ones to you here.
The Dipladenia comes from a particularly diverse plant family. More than 100 species of the flowering dogbane family are known and described. The first specimens reached Europe as early as the 19th century. Responsible for this was John Henry Mandeville, once in Argentina as the general representative of the British Queen Victoria and who also gave the plant genus its name.
Initially, the plants were mainly cultivated indoors. The history of Dipladenia as a balcony and bedding plant, which only began at the beginning of this millennium, is still comparatively young.
The most common commercially available species
If you are looking for the original species of the Mandevilla, you will unfortunately find that these can hardly be found on the market. On the other hand, there is a large range of hybrids.
What are hybrids?
Hybrids are breeds from different plant species. Two breeding lines are established in order to strengthen and work out certain characteristics through inbreeding and selection. This can happen over many generations. Hybrids possess a whole range of different genetic information. The result is strong and robust plants. Hybrid breeding is particularly complex.
There are mostly hybrids of Dipladenia sanderi on the market. These grow as shrubs or subshrubs and bloom profusely. Numerous nuances of the colors white, pink and red are common. The trumpet-shaped flowers have different diameters. There are sometimes large differences in growth height between the various species. While representatives of the Opale or Topaze series need a climbing aid, hybrids from the Jade series can also be cultivated well in flower boxes.
» Tip: Small species are very well suited for cultivation as houseplants.
These are the 10 most beautiful Dipladenia varieties
Rio White
HereIt is a particularly robust member of the plant family. The lush flowers are convincing. The plants grow stele-like about a meter high. A climbing aid is not needed. The compact plants feature pretty white flower heads that last for more than two weeks. The slightly jagged flowers have a yellow throat and are reminiscent of an impeller.
Cream Pink
This species comes from Japan and was bred from the “Sundaville Red” variety. The plant climbs quite strongly and should therefore receive a growth aid. The growth height can be up to two meters. The flowers show interesting color combinations and appear cream to soft pink. The throat offers an orange-red contrast.
Opal Citrine
This quite new variety offers a special feature due to the yellow color of the flowers. The quite strongly climbing plant can grow almost three meters high and is grateful for a climbing aid. These Dipladenia also like to wind themselves up on ropes. The leaves are remarkably small and have a pretty sheen. The flowers reach a less intense density than the case with the multi-flowering "Rio White". There is also a difference in the durability of the flowers. These only last a maximum of five days.
Agathe White
The plant grows quickly and climbs up to almost four meters in height. A stable climbing aid is an advantage here. The white flowers with their golden yellow throat are strikingly large and bear a resemblance to the “Cosmos White” variety.
Rubiniana
A true giant among the Dipladenia species on offer is the flowering variety Rubiniana. With growth heights of up to five meters, this Mandevilla variety cannot be overlooked. A climbing aid is required. The showy red flowers appear throughout the summer. Each flower lasts up to two weeks.
Sundaville Red
The deep red, funnel-shaped flowers are an eye-catcher. With a maximum height of 2.5 meters, the plant remains rather compact. Sundaville Red is a popular houseplant, but has also conquered balconies and patios in recent years.
Sundaville Pretty Rose
The showy pink flowers of this Dipladenia variety appear between April and October. The plants grow up to three meters high and are also extremely popular as traffic light plants.
Jade White
This species has a low growth height of a maximum of 35 centimetres. This makes Jade White a particularly popular houseplant. The white flower heads with their orange throat appear quite lush between April andOctober.
Opale Fuchsia Flammé
Opale Fuchsia Flammé is a particularly easy-care and robust Mandevilla species. The plant features strikingly large flowers that appear an attractive flamed pink. The roots of the plants can store a lot of moisture, which is why this variety survives longer periods of drought without any problems. The plant grows up to 2.5 meters high and needs a trellis. The showy blooms appear non-stop between spring and fall.
Jade Scarlet
This variety is also an eye-catcher in a small space. The popular houseplant has scarlet flower heads and can form tuffs up to 30 centimeters high. The plant can spend the summer in the window box or directly in the flower bed.
An overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the types mentioned
| Dipladenia-Art | Advantages | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Rio White | ❍ floriferous ❍ robust ❍ long lasting flowers | ❍ weak growth ❍ does not climb |
| Sundaville Red | ❍ climbing ❍ interesting color combination | ❍ requires support |
| Opal Citrine | ❍ extraordinary color ❍ beautiful climber | ❍ weak growth ❍ short shelf life of the flowers ❍ less lush flowering |
| Rubiniana | ❍ big flowers ❍ long flowering time | ❍ Climbing aids are needed ❍ Suitable location necessary |
| Sundaville Red | ❍ striking red flowers ❍ usable as indoor and garden plant | ❍ less strong growing and climbing |
| Sundaville Pretty Rose | ❍ flowering period from April to October ❍ can also be used as a traffic light plant | ❍ grows less lush |
| Jade White | ❍ long flowering period ❍ ideal houseplant | ❍ short |
| Opale Fuchsia Flammé | ❍ tolerates longer periods of drought ❍ long flowering period | ❍ Climbing aid necessary |
| Jade Scarlet | ❍ ideal indoor plant ❍ eye-catching red flowers ❍ pretty balcony plant | ❍ not climbing ❍ small, compact growth |
| Agathe White | ❍ large leaves and flowers ❍ showy flowers | ❍ strong growth ❍ suitable espalier necessary |