Where to Find and Purchase the Beautiful Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine

The Alice du Pont mandevilla vine is one of the most stunning and popular flowering vines for gardens and landscapes. With its showy, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, red, or white, it’s easy to see why this plant is a favorite. But where can you find and purchase a high-quality Alice du Pont mandevilla for your own garden?

A Bit About the Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine

The Alice du Pont mandevilla is a hybrid plant in the dogbane family. It’s a cross between two tropical mandevilla species – Dipladenia sanderi and Dipladenia boliviensis. This hybrid was created by Alice du Pont herself in the 1940s and 1950s at her experimental garden in Florida.

The Alice du Pont mandevilla vine grows rapidly, often adding a foot or more of growth each month during the warm season. It can reach up to 20 feet in a single growing season. This makes it perfect for quickly covering a fence, trellis, arbor, or other structure.

The glossy, bright green leaves provide a perfect background for the showstopping flowers. Blooms appear from spring through fall, especially during the heat of summer. They are large, trumpet-shaped, and borne in clusters along the vine’s stems.

This plant thrives in hot, humid climates. It can have trouble with cold winters in zones cooler than 9 or 10. But gardeners in other zones can enjoy it as an annual vine. It also does well in containers that are moved indoors for winter.

Where to Find Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vines for Sale

Finding an Alice du Pont mandevilla vine for sale is easiest if you live in a warm climate where it can be grown as a perennial Here are some options

• Local nurseries and garden centers – In warm climates like Florida, Texas or Southern California, many local nurseries carry the Alice du Pont vine. Visit a few reputable nurseries in your area to check availability.

• Online specialty nurseries – Online sellers like Glasshouse Works, Logee’s, and Plant Delights Nursery offer a good selection of rare and unusual vines, including the Alice du Pont mandevilla. They ship live plants nationwide.

• Big box stores or hardware stores – Sometimes you can find Alice du Pont mandevilla at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or other major retailers with garden centers, especially in southern regions. Availability depends on the location.

• Local garden clubs – Connect with local garden clubs or plant societies in your area, especially those focused on exotic tropical plants. Members often sell cuttings or divisions from their own collections.

• Online marketplaces – Check sites like eBay, Etsy, or Craigslist for people selling Alice du Pont vine cuttings, seeds, or established plants in your area. Exercise caution to avoid scams.

What to Look for When Buying Your Alice du Pont Mandevilla

When purchasing an Alice du Pont mandevilla, either online or in person, look for these signs of health and vigor:

• Established roots – For container-grown vines, check that the plant has filled its pot with healthy white roots. This gives it the best chance to thrive when planted.

• Plump, green stems – Stems should be firm and plump, not thin or mushy. Avoid plants with brown or limp stems.

• Clean, healthy leaves – Leaves should be a rich green without spots, holes, or damage from pests or disease.

• Signs of new growth – Emerging buds, new leaves, or growing stem tips indicate the plant is actively growing.

• Good history of blooms – When possible, choose vines that have a history of flowering well without problems. Check for spent blooms.

• Good size – Larger, more established vines with lots of stems are best, but smaller options can also work well.

• From a reputable source – Purchase Alice du Pont vines from reputable nurseries, stores, or growers with a good track record for quality.

Caring for Your Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine

Once you’ve found the perfect Alice du Pont mandevilla for your garden, be sure to care for it properly so it thrives:

• Plant in well-draining soil in full sun. Amend soil with compost or manure.

• Provide a strong trellis, fence, arbor, or other support structure. The vines climb by twining around supports.

• Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out. Establish deep watering for healthy roots.

• Fertilize regularly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

• Prune lightly in spring to remove dead stems and shape vine as desired.

• Bring containers indoors if temperatures drop below 45°F. Grow as an annual vine in cooler climates.

• Watch for pests like aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites and treat as needed.

With the proper care, the Alice du Pont mandevilla will reward you with endless blooms and provide a stunning vertical accent in your garden. Finding this special vine from a reputable source will help you start off right. Be sure to check local nurseries, online specialty sellers, garden clubs, and other plant-lovers in your area to find your perfect Alice du Pont vine.