Like a beautiful magnet the colour of hot pink lipstick, my Mandevilla climber beckons visitors to come closer. Large trumpet flowers that dance and sway in the breeze like ballerinas. Twisting branches that entwine and hug the arch support like braided hair. It really is the showpiece of my front garden at the moment.

Long flowering from Spring to Autumn, this climber thrives in the Northern Rivers. Our heat and humidity suit it well as it is native to Central and South America. Commonly known as the Rock Trumpet, Mandevillas dazzle in any garden with their showy flowers of pink, red, white or yellow. They are also a favourite among butterflies and small pollinators.

Arches, trellises and fences are all valuable supports for this delicately fragrant plant. By the way, arches have been used in gardens since ancient Egypt, more for practical and functional reasons such as supporting grape vines, or creating shaded walkways.

It was in the Roman era that arches took on a decorative role, mainly for supporting roses. The concept of romantic or architectural garden rooms evolved from there. My rustic, old, metal arch works well at the beginning of a mosaic and gravel pathway, leading the visitor to parts of the garden so far unseen. Strolling through this leafy gateway, you may be brushed across the head or over the arm by a thin dangling branch that’s desperately trying to escape the constraints of the arch.

But secateurs are banned. After flowering, the stray branches will be woven through the arch ready for next season’s bloom. And after all, the tactile sensation of brushing against foliage is one of the delights of immersing yourself in a garden.