Dipladenia x sanderi Diamantina Opale Fuchsia Flammé - Rocktrumpet

Dipladenia Diamantina Opale Fuchsia Flammé is an adorable little vine with a compact habit that blooms for months in a vibrant colour, requiring minimal maintenance. Its large star-shaped flowers with flaming fuchsia throats continuously and abundantly bloom on beautiful dark green glossy foliage from June until the first frost. The Diamantina Opale dipladenias are generous plants, but sensitive to cold weather, so they should be kept in a bright veranda or a lightly heated greenhouse during winter. You can use these plants to bring colour and life to the garden. In fact, they have such presence that they can decorate a patio or balcony on their own.

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 Diamantina series, derived from Mandevilla sanderi (among others), produces small plants that are ideal for pot cultivation. They stand out with their wide range of colours, which includes somewhat unique shades.

Diamantina Opale Fuchsia Flammé has a slightly trailing and compact habit. Its short, woody, voluble stems gracefully hang down. It typically reaches an average height of 40 to 60cm (16 to 24in), with a rapid growth rate. Its beautiful 6cm (2in) diameter flowers consist of 5 large, slightly pointed lobes that overlap like helicopter blades. Gathered in small clusters, they continuously bloom from June until the first frost. The evergreen and leathery foliage consists of small, entire, dark green leaves arranged in an opposite manner. The thick and leathery lamina, oval to elliptical in shape, measures 5 to 6cm (2in) in length and has a shiny upper surface. This plant has fine roots and large tuberous roots that contain starch and water, helping the plant to withstand drought quite 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 is best suited for a large decorative pot placed in isolation. It will also look beautiful in a hanging basket or a container, placed on a sunny patio or balcony. It will look wonderful with the Jade Scarlet variety, the dark-blue flowers of Plumbago capensis, black-eyed Susans, and passionflowers. It can be planted directly in the ground in well-drained soil. However, this is only possible in mild regions without frost.