Dipladenia x hybrida Bella Pink

Dipladenia or Mandevilla Bella Pink is a wonderful little climber that blooms for months without requiring much maintenance. Its large star-shaped flowers in pink with a yellow centre bloom continuously on beautiful dark green foliage from June until the first frost. The Bella series of dipladenias are generous but sensitive, and must spend winter in a bright veranda or a lightly heated greenhouse. These climbers have such presence that they can easily decorate patios and balconies without any other plants.

Mandevilla, named in honour of diplomat and gardener Henry Mandeville, are fast-growing climbing plants, mostly native to the tropical forests of Serra de Orgaos, near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Growing at high altitudes, these plants thrive in temperate climates, free from frost, in partial shade or filtered light in summer. They belong to the Apocynaceae family, just like periwinkles and oleanders. In the 1970s, Robert Lannes, a French horticulturist based in Tarn et Garonne, was the first to be interested in hybridising these plants with immense potential, among which Mandevilla sanderi stands out. Years of research and selection have resulted in particularly floriferous, more compact varieties with various colours. They are easy to grow by amateur gardeners.

The Bella series, derived in part from Mandevilla sanderi, produces resistant plants with a compact habit, distinguished by a range of very vibrant colours. The faded flowers are easily removed. These plants are ideal for pots.

Bella Pink develops voluble, woody stems at the base, measuring up to 1.5m (5ft) in length. The plant will climb or spread on the ground, and can even cascade from large pots if no support is provided for its stems. Its growth rate is fast. Its beautiful flowers are composed of 5 large slightly pointed lobes that overlap like the blades of a propeller. Grouped in small clusters, they bloom continuously from May to the first frost. The evergreen foliage consists of entire, dark green leaves arranged in an opposite manner. The thick and leathery lamina, oval to elliptical in shape, measures 5 to 6cm (2in) long and has a shiny upper surface. This plant has large tuberous roots that contain starch and water, helping the plant to withstand drought fairly well.

Mandevilla is often used for decorating pergolas and trellises on patios and balconies, alone or in a mix of colours. This heat-resistant and water-efficient variety will prefer to be planted in a large flower pot placed in isolation on a sunny patio or balcony. It can be paired, for example, with the Bella White variety and Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'. Cultivation in open ground, in lightened soil, is reserved for regions spared from frost.