Mandevilla laxa

Mandevilla laxa (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Apocynaceae

Mandevilla laxa is a semi-evergreen (deciduous in the cooler part of its range) climber with woody structure and a spreading habit. Its glossy mid green leaves are ovate with entire margins, to to 15cm long and 4cm wide. Its fragrant white flowers are trumpet shaped, up to 7cm across, 5cm long and appear on current year’s growth. Its fruit are bean like pods which are initially green, mature brown and split to disperse its seeds.

Mandevilla laxa Flower (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Mandevilla laxa, commonly known as Chilean Jasmine, is native to Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Mandevilla is named after Henry Mandeville (1773 – 1861), a British diplomat and gardener based in Argentina. Laxa is derived from the Latin laxo meaning ‘loose’.

The landscape architect may find Mandevilla laxa useful as an attractive evergreen climber with fragrant flowers. This plant requires a framework against which to climb.

Mandevilla laxa Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Mandevilla laxa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bee and butterflies.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Mandevilla laxa their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Mandevilla laxa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Mandevilla laxa requires little maintenance. Pruning may be carried out in spring to encourage new growth.



Landscape Architecture

Plumeria rubra

Plumeria rubra (05/09/2013, Nisyros, Greece)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness:10b, 11, 12

Family: Apocynaceae

Plumeria rubra is an deciduous large shrub or small tree with a spreading, vase shaped habit. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 15cm broad. Its white to dark pink flowers have yellow centres, five petals, are very fragrant and are up to 7.5cm across. Its fruit is a pod which is up to 17cm long and contains winged seeds.

Plumeria rubra Flower (05/09/2013, Nisyros, Greece)

Plumeria rubra, commonly known as Frangipani, Red Frangipani or Temple Tree, is native to Central America. This shrub has naturalised in large parts of south east Asia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Plumeria is named after Charles Plumier (1646 – 1704), a French botanist who discovered this genus. Rubra is from the Latin meaning ‘red’.

Plumeria rubra Leaf (05/09/2013, Nisyros, Greece)

The landscape architect may find Plumeria rubra useful as an attractive free flowering, large fragrant shrub. It should be noted the sap of this plant may be irritating to the skin. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Plumeria rubra flowers are attractive to moths.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Plumeria rubra their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Plumeria rubra prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Plumeria rubra requires little maintenance.

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to full shade

Flowering period: Mid spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15cm

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Apocynaceae

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ is an evergreen shrub with a prostrate, mat forming habit. Its leaves are dark green with yellow margins and grey green mottling, elliptic to ovate with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 25cm. Its green stems are slender and trailing and root at intervals, aiding its spread. Its white flowers are solitary and trumpet-shaped.

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ Flower (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Vinca minor, commonly known as Lesser Periwinkle, Dwarf Periwinkle, Myrtle or Creeping Myrtle, is native to mainland Europe. In its native habitat it grows as a woodland understory plant. It is considered an invasive species in North America. Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ is commonly known as Small White Variegated Periwinkle.

The etymological root of the binomial name Vinca is derived from the Latin vincio meaning ‘to bind’, in reference to the plants spiralling runners. Minor is from the Latin meaning ‘smaller’, in reference to its low habit compared to Vinca major. Alba is from the Latin meaning ‘white’. Variegata is derived from the Latin meaning variegated.

The landscape architect may find Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ useful as an effective free-flowering ground cover plant, which is suitable for shade locations.

Ecologically, Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ is attractive to some pollinating insects.

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ Leaf (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Vinca minor ‘Alba Variegata’ requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out in spring