Allamanda schottii aka Bush Allamanda

Allamanda schottii, or bush allamanda, is a tropical evergreen shrub. Its native range covers southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family. It forms a rounded bush and keeps its leaves year-round. Garden plants reach about 4–5 feet [1.2–1.5 metres] tall. The listed spread is about 4 feet [1.2 metres]. Its shrub form suits beds, borders, and warm-climate hedges.

The leathery leaves have a dull green surface. They range from elliptic to wider near the tip. Each leaf measures about 0.17–0.33 feet [0.05–0.10 metres] long. Groups of three to five leaves circle the stems. Clusters of yellow flowers stand out against this green backdrop. Each flower has a trumpet shape with orange-red throat stripes. Flowers bloom freely from summer until the first frost. Chicago Botanic Garden lists bloom periods across the whole year.

Rounded fruits form when spent flowers stay on the plant. Their prickly surface gives them a bur-like look. These fruits add interest after the flowers fade. Keeping them comes at the cost of fewer new blooms. Remove spent flowers to encourage a fuller flower display. Both the blooms and fruits give this shrub garden value. Grow it as a seasonal filler in beds or borders. In tropical gardens, it also serves as a hedge.

Plant it in full sun for the best flower display. Chicago Botanic Garden also lists partial shade as suitable. Use rich soil with organic matter and good drainage. Keep soil moisture moderate rather than letting water collect. The plant performs best in hot, humid conditions. It favours nights that stay above 60°F. It is winter hardy in USDA zones 10–11. In colder places, gardeners grow it as an annual. Containers offer another way to keep it beyond one summer.

Bring pots indoors before the first frost arrives. Overwinter them in a greenhouse or a large, sunny room. Indoor plants need strong light and moderate humidity. Watch for scale insects, mealybugs, and leaf spot. Fungal disease can also affect the leaves. Thin the stems to improve airflow if this occurs. Missouri Botanical Garden rates its care needs as medium. Neither the supplied profiles nor extracts establish edibility or toxicity.