Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica) is a robust evergreen climbing shrub celebrated for its large, glossy, golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that appear through much of the year in warm climates. Native to tropical America, it bears whorls of leathery deep-green leaves and can be trained over fences, arches, pergolas and trellises, or kept pruned as a shrub. It thrives in heat and sun, flowering best in India's monsoon and summer months. Fast-growing and showy, it makes a dazzling display but its milky sap is toxic and can irritate skin, so handle and site it with care.
Specifications
| Family |
Apocynaceae |
| Native region |
Tropical Americas (Brazil) |
| Mature height |
2-5 m as climber |
| Mature spread |
1.5-3 m |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen, leathery glossy green leaves |
| Flower colour |
Golden yellow |
| Flower season |
Summer to autumn, mostly warm season |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun for best flowering. |
| Watering |
Regular in summer; keep evenly moist. |
| Soil / mix |
Rich, well-drained loam with organic matter. |
| Temperature |
Thrives at 20-38°C; frost-sensitive. |
| Humidity |
Prefers moderate to high humidity. |
| Fertilizer |
Balanced NPK monthly in growing season. |
| Pruning |
Prune in late winter to shape and renew. |
| Repotting |
Repot every 1-2 years when root-bound. |
| Propagation |
Semi-hardwood cuttings in warm season. |
| Pests & problems |
Watch for mealybugs, aphids and whitefly. |
| Toxicity / safety |
Toxic; milky sap irritates skin and eyes. |
| Difficulty |
Easy to moderate |
Uses
<p>Trained over arches, pergolas, trellises and fences for a bold golden display, or pruned as a flowering shrub in beds and large pots.</p>
Growing tips
<p>Plant in full sun with rich, well-drained soil and water generously through the Indian summer and monsoon for non-stop blooms. Prune in late winter to keep it tidy and floriferous.</p>