Family: Apocynaceae

Mostly from tropical America, these fast-growing, climbing shrubs are grown for their masses of beautiful, showy, trumpet-shaped, jasmine-scented flowers borne in small to large clusters. The smooth-edged leaves grow in a circle around the stem. There are around 100 species. Those commonly available are frost-tender and are grown in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory in frost-prone climates.

Species

M. x amabilis, a woody climber, has large, showy, pale pink flowers changing to deep rose. M. x amabilis 'Alice du Pont' is the best known and produces masses of bright pink flowers in summer. It grows to 6 m (20 ft) in height.

M. laxa (Synonym: M. suaveolens), Chilean jasmine, from Argentina, is a deciduous climber, with slender, dark green, pointed leaves and heavily perfumed, white, trumpet-shaped flowers.

M. sanderi (Synonym: Dipladenia sanderi) is a smooth, woody twiner with opposite, leathery leaves and rose pink, tunnel-shaped flowers. Several cultivars with deep pink or red flowers are available.

M. splendens, a woody twiner from Brazil, climbing to 3 to (10 ft) high, has silky stems and small clusters of rose pink, funnel-shaped flowers.

Cultivation

When pot grown under glass, use a soil-based potting compost. Ensure maximum light, but provide shade from direct strong sun. Prune in late winter by cutting the side shoots back to within four growth buds of the main stems. Outdoors grow in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Propagate in spring from seed germinated at 20°C (68°F), or from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, with basal warmth.

Climate

Zone 10.