Wild for Allamanda

A native vine that you may never have considered is a relative of other similar and more familiar landscape plants – the Allamandas.  Specifically, the Wild Allamanda or Urechites lutea  is a vine-like shrub, very adaptable to our soils, and can easily be managed to the size you want it.  Blooming now in  landscape near you – the Wild Allamanda!

In nature, the wild allamanda would grow more like a vine and sprawl over the trees and shrubs found in its environment.  The yellow two and one-half inch wide flowers are produced pretty much year-round.  The ability of this plant to be trained or at least supported on structures ranging from espalier frames, trellises and arbors, to small fences is a great attribute.  The woody stems also have the stiffness to be trimmed as a low hedge.  Regular clipping will keep this flowering evergreen in bounds and in neat condition.  We have one growing in our Demonstration Garden trained on a small lattice trellis which is about six-foot tall and six-foot wide.  It is presently in full bloom and putting on quite a show. 

The wild allamanda is very drought tolerant and has moderate tolerance to coastal conditions and salty air.  It is also very happy in alkaline soils of which we have an abundance in our residential-fill soils.  While full sun will stimulate more flowers, the wild allamanda can tolerate part shade.  If you are planting multiple specimens, give them at least thirty-six up to sixty inches between plants for best results.  Propagation can be accomplished by cuttings

Perhaps the biggest pest we have encountered with wild allamanda is the oleander caterpillar.  As allamandas are in the same family as oleanders (Apocynaceae)  (all parts are toxic by the way) oleander caterpillars have done a job on our plant from time to time.  The use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) will control caterpillars such as this when used as per label instructions.

The wild allamanda can be damaged by frosts, but will normally grow back without a problem.  As a vine or a good-natured shrub, the wild allamanda is a great plant and is a suitable landscape subject.  For more information on all types of flowering plants that can be used in our local landscapes, please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area.  Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.

Resources:

Gilman, E. F. ( 2011) Urechites lutea -  Wild Allamanda.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.

Gilman, E. F. ( 1999) Allamanda cathartica. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.