PlantFiles: Mandevilla, Dipladenia
Mandevilla 'Sun Parasol Crimson'

This is a fantastic plant which I grow from seed. I am pretty sure the plant is patented and asexual propagation is prohibited.

It has tolerated both sun and a good bit of shade and survives the winter happily indoors in a sunny window when kept on the dry side.

Mandevilla, Dipladenia 'Sun Parasol Crimson' has been a great plant. Mine has been in a very large container since June of last year. I trained it to climb a 6 foot trellis. It is growing past the top of the trellis. I am amazed by its hardiness. We have had many sustained below freezing nights this past winter. I covered about 2.5 feet of the base of the plant and left the remainder on the rest of the trellis unprotected. It received no freeze damage even though it is not protected by structures, such as a house, nor overhanging trees. Although the base is by aprivacy fence, the tall container is atop a chair which places the trellis above the fence. It has been blooming since the middle of March even through a couple of days with highs in the 40s. It is in full sun and the blooms hold their color for a long time. If I could rate it fabulous, I would. If you have one, be sure not to over water it.

I'm not sure if mine is Sun Parasol regular or dwarf. It was not labeled dwarf, but looks it.Fast growing small vine in the few weeks i have had it. It does seem to bleach a little in full summer sun..It might take a little effort to find the right spot for color. Easy care so far-add plenty of water and fertilizer. These Mandevilla's like Red Riding Hood are more cold hardy then given credit for. I expect this too make it through the winter unlike the 'Alice du Pont' types.
EDIT UPDATE '08: Well,it did fine in a mild winter..better than Red Riding hood. Unlike RRH, Sun Parasol does vine easily in our mild summer climate. RRH seems to stay a small shrub. Not many small scale blooming vines around. This is one of the better and very tropical looking ones you will find

Yes, cardinal red is a good description of the color of this beautiful vine's flowers! Mine bloomed spectacularly up a trellis shared with a black eyed susan vine last year, and I brought it in over winter and it has made a comeback this year, although it hasn't done any flowering. This year it's sharing the trellis with a light pink mandevilla. I hope to see some cardinal red blossoms again this summer...

This is from a cross of Mandevilla atroviolacea with Mandevilla amabilis x M. boliviensis Mandevilla Sun Parasol White.

I have this plant in part sun (around 1 and 1/2 hours of morning sun, and late afternoon sun for around an hour) and it continues to bloom profusely. When it was in the full sun here in zone 10 b the flowers faded quickly and took on a bleached appearance. Now its beautiful, a velvety cardinal red flower with a glowing amber throat.

I live in Wisconsin, zone 4 and I planted my first Mandevilla last summer. It was absolutely beautiful, pink, vined up an arbor. Before the frost I dug it out and put it in a large pot. It was in the south window and it didn't grow like it did outside but it survived and now I can't wait to plant it out again. From the info I've searched the hotter the weather the better they like it and do not over water. I've ordered two more for me and some for my girls. Please give them a try, you will love them.