Living in Cape Coral … coming from the Northeast, I had a big learning curve when I moved here … gardening would never be the same. My garden was a blank canvas, but I would dream and wake up with plans. I achieved a wonderful butterfly garden, originally by accident, and every year I add to it. Now I know more about nectar plants and food for the caterpillars.

My mission now is to incorporate as many flowering plants as possible that will feed the bees, butterflies and birds. I encountered a beautiful yellow flowering plant in our neighborhood so I had to find out more. Have since planted five dwarf variety allamanda bushes, also known as dwarf golden trumpet, under my foxtail palms.

Today, I’d like to share what I have learned about allamanda bushes. Amongst all the allamanda varieties among Southwest Florida shrubs, bush allamanda is probably the most easy to grow, with bright green foliage and prolific yellow flowers.

There are clusters of golden trumpet-shaped blossoms which appear on and off most of the year. This summer they appeared constantly!

The regular bush allamanda will grow too large eventually to work as a foundation shrub, but other than that, it’s one of the most versatile yellow flowering shrubs for any sunny spot.

The size and color make it an ideal accent, hedge or single specimen for the yard. They also work very well as a privacy screen around your pool cage or any patio.

Occasionally trimming will enhance the flowering. Allamandas tend to become bare at the base when they’re mature. If that happens you can grow other smaller flowers underneath.

I chose the dwarf variety as I felt the regular bush variety would be too big under my foxtail palms.

There is a vine, brown bud allamanda, with huge yellow flowers that you can use for a trellis or around a mailbox.

Here is some information on the regular, dwarf and vine bush allamandas … they are evergreen and moderately salt-tolerant. They’re moderate growers that like full to partial sun and do best in Zone 10.

You can keep them trimmed at 3 feet while young and then 4 or 5 feet tall once they’re mature. Fertilize three times a year – in spring, fall and wintr … outside of the fertilizer black-out.

Allamanda bushes grow wider at the top, so place them no closer than 3 feet apart. Come out from the house at least 2 1/2 feet. If planting along a walk or drive, come in 3 to 4 feet. These shrubs can be grown in large containers.

Dwarf allamanda is my favorite. It has fabulous butter-yellow flowers with glossy green foliage. The dwarf variety of allamanda stays bushy but small.

Watering correctly is the key to keeping these small flowering shrubs at their best. They need regular irrigation but must dry out a bit in between waterings. This has not been a problem this year with our drought.

Like a lot of other plants here in Southwest Florida, allamandas contain toxins and will make you sick if you ingest them. The milky sap may cause skin irritations as well. I recommend to always wear garden gloves when handling cuttings if you have sensitive skin.

My love of any kind of flower in my garden, makes me so happy! With every walk in the garden, it gives me an explosion of pleasure. Treat yourself to an allamanda bush or vine and hopefully you’ll experience the thrill!

Happy gardening!

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit the club website gardenclubofcapecoral.com.