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Mandevilla, Philodendrons and Begonias Can Create A Tropical LookThe Mandevilla is one of the most intriguing plant specimens around the world. It is native in South America and its roots are well known in Brazil. Zones nine through eleven can plant this gorgeous plant and be hardy throughout the winter months. This is why I find it one of the most unique plant specimens. Its wide range of climatic use will allow many people to enjoy its colors and large blossoms. Zone eight has a little more care to as it will die off after the first frost. Come spring this specie will rejuvenate and the root system will redevelop and the leaves and flowers will return. Zone seven and lower zones produce hybrids and can be grown in containers. This plant also can be an indoor plant if there is adequate sunlight. Go ahead and feel free to search for other tropical plants in Google or to this site.
 Custom Search There are several varieties available today. The Mandevilla is a woody ornamental vine that produces beautiful pink blooms. It requires sun but can take some later day shade. This plant grows great in coastal regions and is popular on trellises, fences, or natural walls. The Mandevilla can reach anywhere from eight to ten feet tall and two to three and a half feet wide. There is also a wonderful family member called the Brazilian or White Jasmine. It has a large trumpet shaped flower with a special touch of yellow tones in the center of the blossom. The large deep green leaves gives this plant its distinctive character. Below are two pictures of the brilliant pink and white flower.
There are other
annual flowers in warmer climates that will accent the Mandevilla.
Imagine this plant specimen in a container or planted along a fence or trellis. Adding some Philodendrons to an area, will give you a complete tropical look and feel. The Philodendron for years has been considered by many as strictly an indoor plant. In cooler climates this is a wonderful container plant throughout the warmer months. In warmer climates planted in masses, allows you to watch the large leaves sway with the warm tropical breeze. A rule of thumb is not to let the Philodendron get below the mid fifties and shouldn't be subject to temperatures higher then 90 degrees. If it is above ninety, a good shaded area will work. This plant specimen loves to grow underneath trees in the tropics and a great specimen with Orchids. The Window Leaf is one of my favorites. There are two varieties, a large leaf and a smaller one. Take a look at the different sizes and shapes of each leaf. It can be confused sometimes with a Fatisa Japonica plant, but its distinct leaf structure gives Philodendron its own identity. A fascinating aspect of the Philodendrons is many of the adult plants do not grow from the ground in the lush rain forests. They grow from the sides of the trees. The species the cooler climates purchases are younger hybrids from the adult species. In zones nine and ten, you can go ahead and plant the Window Leaf or another variety directly into the ground. It doesn't enjoy a wet or over moist soil and prefers a dryer setting. One main ingredient for a healthy plant is the humidity level. This is a native plant of Brazil and high humidity will allow this plant to mature quickly.If you travel to Botanical Gardens, there are many indoor rain forests that have the Philodendron featured along with many Orchids and other tropical flowers. I love creating an area for a client in our zone seven using containers of Mandevillas and Philodendrons. Adding in some evergreen shrubs will ensure you color throughout the colder months. If you have these plant specimens, consider ahead of time of creating that indoor tropical look. The Begonias There are so many different species of the Begonia. Some of my favorites are the Jingle Bells, Illumination, Fortune, and the Tuberosa. The Tuberosa can have double flowers and comes in a wide range of colors. If you live in the tropics or sub tropics geographical regions, planting these three varieties of species will produce a mass of different colors and textures. There is no reason in warm and cold climates that you can't have a tropical look with a defined container garden during the summer months and an area inside giving you that warm feeling during those long harsh winters. The Mandevilla, Philodendron and Begonia are great combinations for any inside or outside garden. There are other sub tropical and tropical plants I will be featuring in the months to come. If you have any favorites, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to share them on this site.
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