Allamanda commonly called Buttercup or Golden Trumpet originated in Brazil and comes from the Apocynaceae family.
Allamanda was named after Frédéric-Louis Allamand a Swiss Botanist who collected the seeds from South America and sent them to his countryman Carl Linnaeus in 1770.
Allamanda cathartica is a showy, robust, compact shrub with long leathery, glossy leaves and large wax-like, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is one of the showiest bloomers in an outdoor garden.
It can grow as a climber if you have the space for it; you will need a good supporting trellis or arch for this. However, if space is limited and you would like to grow it as a shrub it can be controlled by regular pruning.
Allamanda contains a white latex (milky sap) that has caused skin irritation so avoid getting the sap on your skin and if it does happen wash it off thoroughly. The milky sap is also toxic to animals.
They are many different varieties of Allamanda here in Guyana. Plant collectors and keen gardeners who travelled overseas brought them back and grew them.
I have seen an amazing collection of Allamanda in Barbados in Pink, Dark Pink, about 3 different shades of Yellow, Biscuit Brown, Purple and two-toned: Yellow with Brown centres that are very colourful and cheery.
I think it has something to do with the soil there.
There is even an Allamanda hotel in Barbados; while there is an Allamanda villa in Tobago. (To be continued.)
Until next week, Happy Gardening.
