Q. I bought a vine with big, glossy leaves and yellow flowers last summer. The vine looks dead now. Is this normal?

A. I think you purchased an allamanda vine. These are quite decorative in the summer, but they are tropical plants. They need to be trimmed back and taken inside for the winter. Due to the mild winter, yours MIGHT have survived in the ground. If new sprouts appear in May, you’ve been lucky. Keep your fingers crossed!