Adding an Alice du Pont mandevilla vine to your garden or outdoor space can provide stunning tropical flair. With its vibrant pink blooms and lush green foliage, this climbing plant makes a gorgeous addition to trellises, arbors, containers and more. However, before purchasing your Alice du Pont mandevilla, it’s important to consider the vine size that will work best for your needs. In this article, I’ll provide tips on choosing the right size Alice du Pont mandevilla for your space and care level.
Overview of Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine Sizes
Alice du Pont mandevilla vines come in a range of sizes from small starter vines to large mature specimens. Here’s an overview of the most common size options
-
Small/starter vines – Typically 1-2 feet tall in a 6-10 inch pot. Best for container growing or training up smaller structures Offer a budget-friendly option.
-
Medium vines – Around 2-4 feet tall in a 10-12 inch pot. Provide fuller growth and faster establishment. Can bloom in first year.
-
Large vines – 4 feet and taller, often in 14 inch or larger pots. Make a dramatic statement but require extensive support. Best for experienced gardeners.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Alice du Pont Mandevilla Size
Choosing the right size Alice du Pont mandevilla vine for your needs will depend on several factors:
Where Will You Display It?
-
Smaller vines in containers are highly versatile, allowing you to move them to follow the sun.
-
Larger vines require substantial permanent supports like pergolas, fences or walls.
-
Adjust vine size to fit the display spot. A massive vine will overwhelm a small trellis.
Your Growing Zone and Climate
-
In colder zones, smaller container vines can be moved indoors over winter.
-
Larger vines are harder to overwinter indoors. Starter vines better suit short growing seasons.
-
Consider your climate when choosing vine size.
Growth Speed and Flowering
-
Smaller starter vines take longer to become established and bloom.
-
Larger, more mature Alice du Pont mandevillas provide quicker results with abundant blooms.
-
Factor in growth rate and desired flowering.
Your Experience Level
-
Beginners often do better starting with smaller vines that are easier to care for.
-
Those with experience can handle the demands of a large, mature Alice du Pont specimen.
-
Match the vine size to your skill level for the best results.
By weighing all these factors, you can select the ideal Alice du Pont mandevilla vine size for your unique needs and growing conditions.
Caring for Your Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine
While Alice du Pont mandevilla vine sizes have varying care needs, all require the following to thrive:
Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. More sun equals more prolific flowering.
Soil: Plant in rich, well-draining potting mix. Improve drainage in garden beds if needed.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Reduce watering in winter.
Temperature: Ideal range is 60-85°F. Move containers to warmer spots in winter.
Fertilizer: Feed every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Support: Supply sturdy supports for vines to climb. Train and tie stems as needed.
Pruning: Prune back wayward or damaged stems at any time. Prune lightly in spring to encourage bushy growth.
Pest control: Inspect for common pests like aphids, mealybugs and mites. Take action early before infestations escalate.
Tips for Successful Alice du Pont Mandevilla Care by Vine Size
Caring for your Alice du Pont mandevilla may require some specialized tips depending on the vine size:
Caring for Small/Starter Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vines
-
Provide wind protection while vines are small and vulnerable.
-
Water more frequently as starter vines have smaller root systems.
-
Start training vines up supports as soon as possible to promote climbing habit.
-
Be patient with flowering, small vines may take a full season to bloom.
Caring for Medium Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vines
-
Give vines room to grow, repotting into larger containers as needed.
-
Add intermediate support rods on way to main support structure.
-
Prune lightly to encourage bushy shape and plenty of flowering stems.
-
Monitor water needs closely as vines grow. Mature vines need more water.
Caring for Large Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vines
-
Ensure support structures are extremely sturdy and permanently installed.
-
Provide wind protection if exposed to strong winds which can damage mature vines.
-
Expect to prune frequently to control size and maintain shape.
-
May require daily watering in peak summer to satisfy water needs of big vines.
No matter what size Alice du Pont mandevilla vine you choose, providing the required care will keep your plant healthy and looking its best season after season.
Ideal Uses for Different Sized Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vines
Selecting the right size Alice du Pont mandevilla vine allows you to maximize its ornamental impact through strategic placement:
-
Small vines – Perfect for container growing on patios and decks. Also ideal for accenting front entryways.
-
Medium vines – Shine trained up obelisks, smaller pergolas, fences and lamp posts. Provide gorgeous temporary privacy.
-
Large vines – Make a dramatic living wall on large pergolas, gazebos and exterior house walls. Provide long-lasting privacy screening.
Visit local nurseries to see the different Alice du Pont mandevilla vine sizes in person. This helps ensure you get a vine well-suited to your intended purpose.
Quick Tips for Getting the Right Alice du Pont Mandevilla Size
-
Start smaller rather than larger, especially for beginners. You can always let the vine grow bigger.
-
Think long-term – will the vine eventually outgrow its space? Allow for future growth.
-
Match the support size to the vine size for best results.
-
Unsure which size? Ask at the nursery for guidance based on your growing conditions.
-
Seek out locales with a wide vine size selection to find your perfect fit.
Enjoy the Beauty of Alice du Pont Mandevilla
Adding a stunning Alice du Pont mandevilla vine to your garden or pots is tremendously rewarding. By selecting the ideal vine size for your needs and providing attentive care, the vibrant pink blooms and cascading greenery will flourish. This article covers the key factors in choosing your vine size and techniques tailored to properly caring for small, medium or large Alice du Pont mandevilla specimens. Armed with this guide, you can confidently pick the perfect Alice du Pont mandevilla vine size to enhance your outdoor space with beautiful tropical style.
Mandevilla Types
Today, easy-care mandevilla come in two main categories: mandevilla vines and mandevilla.
Are the old-fashioned type, which more gardeners tend to be familiar with. These plants quickly twine up and around trellises, arbors, and other structures, making them valuable for adding color vertically. Mandevilla vines climb by wrapping their new growth around a support. It’s important to know they grow in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, so pay attention when you train them. If yours grows clockwise, and you wrap it counterclockwise around its support, your mandevilla will unwind itself. Different varieties of mandevilla vines grow different heights; the largest varieties tend to climb between 10 to 15 feet tall in a gardening season. Because they are vines, you can train them to grow horizontally or vertically.
Tend to be newer selections. Rather than growing up, they form tidy mounds, making them ideal for use in garden and landscape beds and borders, as well as in container gardens. Most mounding mandevillas grow 12 to 18 inches tall and and don’t need supports to climb. Because they have more of a bushy habit, they’re also choices for hanging baskets and window boxes.
Originally, pink-flowering mandevillas were most common, such as the old variety ‘Alice Dupont’, but over time, plant breeders have expanded the color range. Now you can find mandevilla flowers in all shades of pink, from soft, cotton-candy pink to bright and bold hot pink. There are pure white and bright red mandevilla varieties, as well. There’s even an apricot-colored variety available.
When you’re at your local garden center shopping for mandevilla, look for lush plants with lots of dark green leaves. Plants that have a lot of yellow leaves (especially in the middle or at the top of the plant) may be stressed and less healthy. The presence of flowers doesn’t necessarily show a plant is because most are sold in full bloom. Selecting a mandevilla with flowers helps you ensure you’re getting the exact color you want. Another way you can look at a mandevilla’s health is to slip it out of its pot and look at the roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or creamy. Unhealthy roots will look yellowed or brown and be mushy. If the plant is suffering from rot, you may detect a foul odor in the potting mix, particularly toward the bottom of the pot. You’ll probably see mandevilla vines grown two ways: with trellises or with teepees. Trellised plants are better for growing on fence or structure you want them to fan out. Teepeed plants are better suited for places you can grow them vertically, such as up a pole or trellis.
Heat- and drought-tolerant mandevilla plants require little care once they’re planted and established. All varieties do best in a spot with sun — at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. They also like well-drained soil or potting mix. (Tip: If you grow mandevilla in containers, use a potting mix rather than garden soil, which can lead to root rot or disease problems.) Mandevilla require regular pruning, though you can prune them at any time if they start to get too large or grow out of bounds. Mandevillas grown in shade or part shade benefit from regular pruning to keep them from lanky and leggy. Mandevilla in the ground typically don’t require fertilizing as part of their care regimen, but potted plants benefit from fertilizer to keep them blooming profusely. The easiest way to fertilize is to mix some timed-release fertilizer into the potting mix when you plant; these products continue to slowly add nutrients to the soil over time. You can also fertilize regularly with a water-soluble product you mix with water. No matter what type of fertilizer you use for your mandevilla, follow the directions on the product’s instruction label to know how much fertilizer to use. Learn more about fertilizing plants. These are tropical and don’t like frosty temperatures. If you live in an area that experiences frequent frosts, you need to consider them as annuals or bring them indoors for the winter to care for as houseplants. Get tips for saving tropical plants like mandevilla before winter. Get winter care tips for your mandevilla.
Today there are many varieties of mandevilla available at local garden centers, mass merchandisers, and home improvement centers. Some of the most popular types include:
This was one of the first varieties that was widely available. It features large pink flowers and textural leaves. It’s not as floriferous as newer selections.
Dipladenia is another name for mandevilla.
Summervillea is an especially strong mounding variety that shows off a profusion of rich red flowers. We’ve found that, in our Miami, Florida, Trial Garden, Summervillea holds up better than other varieties as a perennial.
Alice Dupont Mandevilla
FAQ
How tall do Alice Dupont mandevilla get?
How big do mandevilla vines get?
Where is the best place to plant a mandevilla?
Do mandevilla vines like sun or shade?
How tall do Mandevilla vines grow?
It prefers warm climates and can reach heights of up to 10 feet. It’s perfect for adorning trellises, patios, and walls, and its flowers come in a variety of colors including pink, red, and white. When grown in the right conditions, Mandevilla vines can thrive and produce flowers from spring until autumn.
What is a Mandevilla vine?
Mandevilla vine, with its vibrant flowers and glossy leaves, is a stunning tropical climber that can add a splash of color to any garden. This plant is known for its ease of care and fast growth. It prefers warm climates and can reach heights of up to 10 feet.
When do Mandevilla vines produce flowers?
When grown in the right conditions, Mandevilla vines can thrive and produce flowers from spring until autumn. Growing and caring for Mandevilla vines starts with understanding the plant’s preferences for sunlight and soil conditions.
Are mandevilla and Dipladenia the same plant?
Botanical Classification: Mandevilla and Dipladenia belong to the same family (Apocynaceae) and are both native to Central and South America. They used to belong to different genera: Mandevilla is the genus that included larger, woody vines, while Dipladenia referred to smaller, more compact plants.