Tropical delights - plumerias - Special Issue: Spring-Summer 1994 Garden Guide

Sunset, Spring-Summer, 1994 by Michael MacCaskey

They're the plumerias, Hawaii's lei flowers. Here's how to grow them on the mainland.

All over Hawaii, you see plumeria flowers--clustered on stout-branched shrubs or trees, strung in leis, or tucked into an Island girl's hair. Many of them are sweetly scented and are used to make perfumes.

But these tropical favorites, also called frangipani, are not native to Hawaii. Typically, plumerias grow in dry, barren areas such as Oaxaca's cactus habitats. Related to the stalwart oleander, plumerias are tough. In many Western climates, they can live happily for years in pots.

Where and how to plant plumerias

Prime Southern California plumeria climates are mild-winter coastal ones (zones 21 through 24 in Sunset Western Garden Book), although the plant is also grown successfully in Northridge and Riverside (zone 19), and in Palm Springs (zone 13) against the house. Elsewhere, grow plumerias in pots to move indoors for the winter or whenever cold spells are predicted. For best flowering, grow them in full sun or against a south- or west-facing wall that reflects light and heat. In the ground. Choose an area that does not get frequent, shallow water. Sandy soil is best (in Hawaii, plants thrive in lava rock), but any loose, gritty soil with good drainage will do. Fill the planting hole with water and see how long it takes to drain; if it isn't empty in a few minutes, plant in a container or raised bed, or on a mound.

When you transplant, try to keep the rootball intact. Especially with a 7-gallon-size plant, cut out the bottom of the pot, set the plant in its hole, then cut away the pot's sides. Set the plant slightly deeper in the planting hole than it was in the container. Handle large bare-root plants the same way, planting after danger of frost has passed. If necessary, use stakes to support new transplants.

Plumerias grow fast: 1 to 2 feet a year is typical. Gallon-size plants become dense 10-footers in 6 to 10 years.

In containers. Use a coarse-textured potting mix such as one formulated for cactus and succulents. Nurseries typically use 1 part sand, 2 parts pumice, and 6 parts composted ground bark.

Plumeria care calendar

Whether your plumeria grows in the ground or in a pot, follow this program to keep the plant happy.

Spring. When active growth begins, prune mature plants as necessary to thin and shape them.

Summer into fall. Water plumerias deeply once a week (oftener in very hot weather). Feed plants with a high-phosphorus fertilizer such as 15-30-15 from beginning of growth until August; follow label directions.

Mid-October. Taper off watering. Unless you live in the tropics or in a mild-winter area like coastal Southern California, move your plumeria indoors; store it in an unheated space until weather warms in spring. In warm-summer areas, some gardeners who grow plumerias in the ground remove their plants from the soil in fall and store them during the winter--with bare roots wrapped in burlap--in the garage.

Mid-November. Stop watering.

Winter. Plants drop their leaves at the onset of winter. In the tropics, they're dormant about two months; in Southern California and the low desert, about three months. In cold-winter climates (Denver, Salt Lake City), dormancy extends up to four months.

Which plumeria for you?

Bloom times given for the varieties listed below are approximate; plants usually flower May through November. "Hardy" plants can take temperatures in the low 30s for a few hours; "tender" ones suffer damage in the mid-30s.

Nurseries sell plants in 1-gallon, 5-gallon, or 7-gallon cans (about $14 to $25, $30 to $40, and $50 to $75, respectively). For sources, see page 100.

'Candy Stripe'. Mildly sweet flowers striped red and white underneath; midseason. Average-size (12 to 15 inches long), medium green leaves. Upright. Good in the desert. Average hardiness.

'Daisy Wilcox'. Huge, gardenia-size, 4 1/2-inch flowers have strong, spicy fragrance; early. Large (16 inches or more), medium green leaves. Tender.

'Dean Conklin'. Flowers have a faintly spicy, carnation-like fragrance, poor keeping quality; midseason. Large, medium green leaves. Average hardiness. Vigorous, branching. Good landscape plant.

'Guillot's Sunset'. Sweet, moderately strong fragrance; midseason to late season. Average-size, medium green leaves. Hardy. Tends to spread. Needs pruning to be kept as a small tree.

'Hawaiian Yellow'. Strong lemon scent; early. Large, medium green leaves. Very hardy. Fine landscape plant; tends to become top-heavy--correct with pruning. Does well in the desert.

'Hollywood Pink'. Small flowers have spicy, mild fragrance; midseason. Very large, medium green leaves are nearly evergreen. Hardy.

'Irma Bryan'. Small, lightly scented flowers; midseason. Small (about 10 inches), dark green leaves have red veining. Hardy, but frost burns tips. Upright, with little branching.

'Kaneohe Sunburst'. Lightly scented flowers; midseason. Average-size, light green leaves. Average hardiness. Attractive upright habit.

'Lani'. Unusual striping. Spicy-scented flowers; early. Average-size, medium green leaves with prominent veins. Treelike habit; not as easy to grow as other varieties.