Mandevilla splendens (Hook.) Woodson

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Of the many handsome species of this Genus which the late researches of Botanists and Travellers in Brazil have made known to us, this is unquestionably the most beautiful, and may vie with the choisest productions of Flora which have been of late years introduced to our gardens.  It was sent from the Organ Mountains to Messrs. Veitch of the Mount Radford Nursery, Exeter, last year (1841), by their zealous collector Mr. Lobb; and already has produced such copious and richly coloured blossoms, as have gratified every one who has seen them.’  [BM t.3976/1842 as Echites splendens]. 

History at Camden Park

It may have been obtained from the London Horticultural Society or Kew Gardens.  It was included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley dated 10th July 1848 and to Kew at about the same time but was not marked ‘arrived’.  It was requested again of Kew on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.177] and of Lindley again on the same date [MP A2933-1, p.182a].  There is no direct evidence that this plant was grown. 

Notes