Mussaenda Madness

[Really full garden]

The first time I saw mussaendas was in the Cayman Islands about 25 years ago and fell in love with them. I planted my first one at the beach about 14 years ago. In Guatemala the dark salmon pink and the white one are the most common. This year I was fortunate to acquire a double red from Australia called Capricorn Dream and a light pink with dark edges called Queen Sirikit.

The next one I want to find is a yellow/pink/orange one called Sunset or Calcutta Sunset.

The do remarkably well at the beach in mostly full sun and benefit from major pruning every year. I usually cut them way back at the end of our dry season.

Flanking my entrance.

Queen Sirikit ,first blooms.

[Al in Kona]

I really like Mussaenda also.  I had a nice big Queen Sirikit flowering beautifully in the ground until  other trees grew up around it to shade it and rob it of moisture, etc. so it eventually died.  Now I have another in a container to plant out in a sunny location.  I also have a red one, however I have not seen the double red "Capricorn Dream" available here yet.  I'd love to try it.  The double white one is available here at times.  I agree that they grow nicer and look better when severely pruned back late winter or as you say at the end of the dry season.

[annafl]

Scott, yours are absolutely stunning!!!  What a picturesque photo!  I think yours are the most beautiful varieties.  I have the Calcutta sunset, but it is new this year.  It has not been in enough sun to do its best.  The reason I got this variety is because this variety reportedly is the most cold tolerant of all the mussaendas and I live in Sarasota, FL which is borderline for this plant.  We will see what happens this winter.  If it does well I will try to take cuttings to put in a sunnier spot next year.

[Really full garden]

4 hours ago, Al in Kona said:

I really like Mussaenda also.  I had a nice big Queen Sirikit flowering beautifully in the ground until  other trees grew up around it to shade it and rob it of moisture, etc. so it eventually died.  Now I have another in a container to plant out in a sunny location.  I also have a red one, however I have not seen the double red "Capricorn Dream" available here yet.  I'd love to try it.  The double white one is available here at times.  I agree that they grow nicer and look better when severely pruned back late winter or as you say at the end of the dry season.

Al ,that Queen Sirikit is spectacular. I am surprised you do not have Capricorn Dream yet in Hawaii.Maybe it has a different name there.

[Really full garden]

4 hours ago, annafl said:

Scott, yours are absolutely stunning!!!  What a picturesque photo!  I think yours are the most beautiful varieties.  I have the Calcutta sunset, but it is new this year.  It has not been in enough sun to do its best.  The reason I got this variety is because this variety reportedly is the most cold tolerant of all the mussaendas and I live in Sarasota, FL which is borderline for this plant.  We will see what happens this winter.  If it does well I will try to take cuttings to put in a sunnier spot next year.

Anna, I understand that they are root hardy and if mulched survive even zone 9A winters and will bloom in late summer/early fall. I have noticed that my neighbors never prune theirs and the plants eventually die after about seven years.

[Johnk9]

Mussaenda----double white and red

[Really full garden]

1 hour ago, Johnk9 said:

Mussaenda----double white and red

The red is really intense ! Cant wait for mine to put on its display.

[Johnk9]

Mussaenda orange marmalade

[Johnk9]

Mussaenda