This plant arrived unexpected on my doorstep, in full bloom and covered in buds. Being in an area that gets unecessarily cold in winter, Mandevillas have never been on my must buy list. But red is my favorite color and I knew I had to find it a nice home. First I put it at the base of my small back porch. The thought of it covering the railing was just too tempting. I could see the hummingbirds darting in and out all summer.

Unfortunately the spot was just too shady and I had to move it.

Luck was with me, because I received a sample of an adjustable trellis, by Cascade Gardens™. It was too late in the season for me to start a new vine, but I was able to unwind the Mandevilla from the porch and move it to a sunny spot where I set up my new trellis. Testing out two new products at once proved very fortuitous. The trellis has been outside all winter. The mandevilla has been wintering in my basement, under lights, where it quickly went semi-dormant. It's starting to put out new growth and I'm anxious to get it back out beside the trellis and see if those hummingbirds will remember we're here.

Plant provided by Garden Media Group (GardenPlot.BlogSpot.com)