Frangipani facts and favourites

A little bit about Frangipani

The frangipani is an iconic tropical tree bearing clusters of colourful and scented flowers during the warmer months of November through to April.

Flowers appear in clusters at the end of branches and have a very distinctive fragrance. The petals are waxy and the centre of the flower is a different colour - just like the most common variety which has white flowers with a yellow centre. Unlike some flowering trees which bloom for a few days or weeks, frangipani flower for months.

With flowers ranging from deep crimson to pale pink, white and yellow to orange and every shade in between there are plenty of varieties to choose from.

Botanical name: Plumeria

The ideal position for Frangipani

Frangipani is commonly used as a specimen tree making a fantastic impact on its own or in a tropical garden design. They're also great in large pots in courtyards or on balconies too.

Height: they can grow up to 8 metres high but dwarf varieties are also available.

Width: up to 4 metres wide.

These plants will grow in most soils but prefer a well draining medium as they don't like wet feet. When planting in a pot ensure you use a good quality, free-draining potting mix. You'll get the best results in full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade.

Caring tips

Watering

Water frangipani only during spring and summer, and hold off completely during the cooler months.

Pruning and feeding

No pruning is required but they appreciate a frequent application of a slow release fertiliser.

Protect

During wet and cool weather frangipani can be at risk of root, branch and tip rot, which is caused by a fungus.

Watch for brown, rusty leaves on your frangipani which could be Frangipani or Plumeria Rust. It usually strikes after Christmas when rainfall and temperatures are high. Rust can look bad but it has no real effect on the plants apart from being unsightly. Eventually the affected leaves will die and drop off or you can remove them and place them in a plastic bag (to stop it from spreading) then bin them.

Frangipani favourites

When frangipani comes to mind most of us think of creamy white flowers with a yellow centre. This common variety will always be a favourite, but there are many other flower colours and shapes to choose from and even dwarf and evergreen varieties.

Common white frangipani Species: Plumeria rubra New flowers emerge light yellow and fade to a rich cream colour with age. Flowers are highly scented. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm; and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Darwin petite pink frangipani Species: Plumeria rubra Petite Pink is an evergreen, dwarf frangipani shrub ideal for hedging and container planting. Flowers are highly scented with delicate pale pink to white flowers. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Tricolour/fruit salad frangipani Species: Plumeria rubra Can't decide which colour is your favourite? Then this eye-catching variety is for you! With red and pink margins, a yellow eye and pink throat, you don't have to choose. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm; and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Darwin blood red frangipani Specicies: Plumeria rubra The rich crimson colour and unique shape of the blood red flowers will make a stunning impact in your garden. Here's an interesting fact: the beautiful fragrance is amplified when the flowers are picked. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Bali whirl frangipani Specicies: Plumeria rubra Introducing the world's first double-petaled frangipani! Bali whirl has highly scented flowers and petals are bright yellow with white edges - all 10 of them. Available sizes 200mm; and 300mm pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Darwin blues frangipani Specicies: Plumeria rubra This new variety offers beautifully scented lilac to blue petals and dark green foliage. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Little rainbow frangipani Specicies: Plumeria obtusa This is a new, tri-colour variety for Australia. Little Rainbow has scented and vibrant apricot to orange centred flowers with white to pink petals. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Singapore white frangipani Species: Plumeria obtusa This is a very popular variety bearing the much loved white and yellow to orange flowers, only evergreen. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Pink frangipani Species: Plumeria rubra The flowers on this variety vary in colour from pale pinks with an yellow centre to dark pinks with an orange centre. Our tip - choose your favourite while in flower. Flowers are highly scented. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm; and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.
Black Jack red frangipani Species: Plumeria rubra This exciting new variety is the first with dark foliage. The flowers are a rich blood red - very striking. Available sizes 200mm pots.
Darwin yellow frangipani Species: Plumeria rubra There's something so happy about yellow, and this variety is sure to bring a smile to your face every summer. The highly scented flowers have a light yellow outer ridge and turn a deeper yellow toward the centre. Available sizes 200mm; 300mm; 400mm; and 45l pots. All sizes are not always available in every store but can be ordered in for you.