Growing Guides > Frangipani

 

Growing Tropical Frangipani is a gardeners delight as they fill the garden with fragrance and are a beautiful sight.

Frangipani bring with them images of a tropical island, long, warm summers and flowers in your hair. With a little effort these can be grown at your place too. Their waxy scented flowers bring an evening tropical fragrance to the garden and out door living areas.

Frangipani are a woody deciduous tree needing careful attention when growing. The cream and white flowering are the most scented, and hardy for frost free areas. Best suited for north facing walls, deck areas and poolside accompaniment. Pot culture has the added advantage of manipulating the plant to its best environment.

General care...

Water requirements are critical, and is the secret to growing a good Frangipani, always dry off Frangipani when they become deciduous in the autumn, a little water during the winter months 1- 2 times a month, this will keep the plant satiated.
During the growing season plants like even, regular moisture, commence watering in spring when new leaves start to emerge.Frangipani does not like frost so move it to a well ventillated and prtected area over winter or into a glasshouse or sunny airy room.
Large specimens can be planted out side in frost free locations, with particular attention to good sharp drainage for the root system to establish.
Many colours are offered for sale conditional on imports the hardiest being the cream or yellow selection.

General Care when buying a new Frangipani: As the roots of your new frangipani are fragile, do not repot until next spring/summer. It is advisable to plant small specimens in pots so they can be easily shifted. However, once a plant gets large it can be planted in the ground provided the area is frost free, sheltered, and very well drained in winter.

Feeding...

Fertiliser requirements are essential for healthy growth and flowering. Recommended slow release brands such as Osmocote with a high potash give good results, applications 2-3 times during the growing season.

Guarding against pests and diseases...

Pests and diseases affecting Plumeria are mites and scale insects; these are controlled with readily available insecticides from garden centres. A quick check control for mites is to strip and burn infected leaves; the plant will grow new foliage, also placing the plant outside in summer months with good air movement is an ideal management practice.

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