Allamandas
NEED vibrant yellow flowers for your garden? Then grow Allamandas. The Allamanda, also known as Yellow Bell or Golden Trumpet, is a genus of tropical shrubs or vines belonging to the Dogbane family(Apocynaceae).
The genus name, Allamanda, was derived from Dr. Frédéric-Louis Allamand (1735-1803), a Swiss botanist of the late 18th century, done so in his honour.
The Allamanda is native to South and Central America.
The flower is the official flower/plant of the City of Canóvanas in the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico, due to its proliferation in the entire city and it’s rivers.
It’s also in their seal, and in the downtown plaza.
The Allamanda  is  a woody evergreen shrub which may reach a free-standing height of six-and-a- half feet or more.
The leaves are lance-like, and may either be opposite, or in whorls of three or four.
The flowers, clustered near the ends of the branches, are yellow, very showy, waxy, and trumpet- shaped, with five flaring petal lobes measuring two to four inches across.
Their scent may be described as delicate and fruity.
Though yellow is the most common colour for an Allamanda, there are two other  main species, namely:  The Bush Allamanda with yellow flowers streaked with orange, and the purple Allamanda, with its large magenta-violet flowers.
Allamandas are used throughout the tropics as ornamental plants in people’s homes.
It can be grown in containers or  hanging baskets .
For a spectacular show of flowers, however, it requires a full sun position, or, at the very least, a few hours of morning sun.
The plants do not tolerate shade, salty or alkaline soils; are easily propagated from cuttings, and are available in local flower shops.