Description

General aspect and origins - Mandevilla splendens, named after the English diplomat Henri Mandeville, is also known as Dipladenia splendens or Brasilian jasmine. This twining vine is native to South America, which is a close relative to M. sanderi. This later is a bit smaller than M. splendens, however.
Leaves - Leaves are evergreen, glossy, opposite, about 4-8 in (10-20 cm) long, green to dark-green, oval, leathery.
Flowers - Flowers are trumpet-shaped and appear from mid-spring to late-summer. They are up to about 4 in (10 cm) across and are pink to red pink with a white and yellow throat. They have 5 rounded petals and are grouped in terminal clusters of up to 10-20 flowers.
Fruits - Fruits are toxic and not particularly ornamental.

Culture

This plant can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9-11. In colder climates, it should be grown under glass or indoors.
Soil - This vine needs a fertile, non-alcaline and well-drained soil.

Propagation

This plant can be propagated by seeds in spring or by cuttings in mid-spring (herbaceous cuttings) to late-summer (ripe wood cuttings).