Named in honor of French botanist and explorer, Charles Plumier (1646-1706) plumeria is grown for its fragrance and its colorful blooms. This fleshy branched deciduous tree flowers in summer and fall months. Plumerias are ideal for patio containers in cool regions and for in-ground planting areas that have six hours of sun or more. Plumerias love heat and well-drained soil and require extended frost protection.
Botanical name: Plumeria Rubra/Obtusa/Pudica
Common name: Plumeria/Frangipani
Type: Deciduous flowering tree
Origin: Caribbean, Central America and Mexico
Introduced regions: Australia, Bali, Europe, Hawaii, Laos, Philippines, Southeast Asia and the continental United States
Season: April-November
Exposure: Full sun
Size(s): 12 inches to 20 feet-plus high by 6 inches to 14 inches-plus wide
Climate: Semitropical/tropical and hardy from 50°F to excess of 115°F.
Planting and General Care Instructions:
Space trees 10 to 12 feet apart
Plant in a warm area with plenty of sun
Provide well-drained soil
Discontinue watering in winter months
Protect from frost
Fertilize every three to four weeks throughout growing season
Open tree up and induce multiple branching by pruning
Fill a spray bottle with water and one drop liquid dish soap to use if the plant has pests
Pests: Spider mites and whitefly.
— Pacific Plumeria,www.pacificplumeria.com
(For a garden story about plumeria, see the March issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles)
