Scientific Name
Plumeria alba L.
Common Name(s)
White Frangipani, Pagoda Tree, Caterpillar Tree, Nosegay Tree, Milk Tree
Synonym(s)
Plumeria hypoleuca var. angustifolia, Plumeria revolutifolia
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Plumerieae
Genus: Plumeria
Flower
Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring to fall
Description
Plumeria alba is a small deciduous tree that grows up to 25 feet (7.6 m) tall. It features fragrant white flowers with yellow centers. Upright branches are thick but weak and have a milky sap. Leaves are green, oblong-lanceolate, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long, and spirally clustered at the stem ends. Very fragrant 5-petaled flowers are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter and appear in terminal clusters at the branch tips from spring to fall. They are white with yellow centers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 12b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 60 °F (15.6 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Although you don't have to live in the tropics to grow Plumeria in the home garden, you should know its growing requirements beforehand.
Often grown in the garden as an ornamental shrub or small tree, Plumerias need to be grown in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. They also need at least 6 hours of full sun.
While the plants are fairly tolerant of salt and windy conditions, they are not tolerant of cold and must be protected. Therefore, they should be container grown in colder regions. In areas that may be warm most of the time but still fairly prone to cold winters, the plant can be dug up and overwintered indoors. Alternatively, you can sink container-grown Plumerias in the ground, bringing them indoors once the temperatures begin to drop in fall. Then, once warmer temps return in spring, you can return the plants outdoors.
When growing Plumerias in pots, use a coarse, well-draining potting mix. A cactus mix or perlite and sand should be fine.
See more at: How to Grow and Care for Plumeria.
Origin
This plant is native to Central America and the Caribbean. However, it is now common and naturalized in southern and southeastern Asia.
Links
- Back to genus Plumeria
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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