Dipladenia x sanderi Diamantina Opal Citrine 2.0 - Rocktrumpet

Dipladenia or Mandevilla Diamantina Opal Citrine 2.0 is a significant advancement in the range of yellow dipladenias. It bears larger, more numerous flowers, and an intense yellow colour that doesn't fade in the sun. It is a delightful, well-branched, and resourceful climbing plant that can be adapted to all your desires. It works well trained on a support in a large pot, or growing freely in a planter. It can also be grown in the ground. It tirelessly produces beautiful sunflower-like blooms until the first frost in a setting of dark green glossy leaves. The Diamantina series dipladenias are generous plants, but they are sensitive to cold. They easily survive winter behind a glass bay window, in a bright conservatory, or a lightly heated greenhouse, and will accompany you for many years.

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 Opal Citrine 2.0 has a bushy habit, but it can be trained as a climbing plant. Its voluble, woody stems easily twine around the support provided. It reaches an average height of 85cm (34in) with a spread of 45cm (18in), with a rapid growth rate. Its beautiful large flowers, 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, consist of 5 pure yellow large lobes that overlap like the blades of a propeller. Grouped in small clusters, they bloom continuously from May 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 resist 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 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.