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GENERAL

Origin

:

sub-tropical,

tropical

Vigour

:

fairly fast

growing

Humidity

:

semi-arid, semi-

humid, very

humid

Propagation :

sowing and

pricking out,

cuttings

Maintenance :

moderate

CONDITIONS

Urban climate :

vulnerable

Dessication :

vulnerable

Stagnant water :

vulnerable

Irrigation

:

high

Salinity/ppm :

low (600 ppm)

Hardiness

:

-3°C

SHAPE

Type

:

shrub, tree

Height

:

7 m

Spread

:

5 m

Foliage

:

semi-evergreen

FLOWER

Colour

:

magenta, pink,

throat: deep

yellow

Size

:

10 cm

Period

:

June - October

Smell

:

scented, strong,

flower

FRUIT

Type of fruit :

capsule

Fruit size

:

2 cm

Toxicity

:

highly poisonous

Frangipani thrives in high temperatures and high air humidity. It originates in central Ameri-

ca, including the West Indies. Usually grown as shrubs, it may also become a multi-trunk tree.

Standards require staking over a long period until the stem is strong enough to bear the heavy

crown. Like many other members in the oleander family Apocynaceae, the branches and foliage

contain white, toxic latex. The thick, green twigs are spaced widely, but shiny, dark-green leaves

still make a dense crown. The leaves are deciduous, alternately arranged and lanceolate. Waxy

flowers appear in bunches from June through to October. Their colour may vary: white, pink,

yellow or red. They all have an intense scent, for which they received their common name, after

the Marquis Muzio Frangipani. Frangipani managed to create a perfume similar to the scent of

Plumeria. The shrubs are delicate, and easily damaged by frost in Arriyadh. If they are to em-

bellish an unfavourable site such as a terrace, Frangipani can be grown in pots, so that they can

be moved during the coldest months. Frangipani is easily propagated in February and March by

hardwood cuttings about 40 cm long. The cut surface must be dried completely to avoid fungal

infection. Seedlings take several years to produce flowers for the first time. During the growing

season, the plant appreciates plenty of water and fertiliser. Pests such as scale insects and diseases

are rarely a problem. Pruning is simple and should be done in February, but the exuded sap may

irritate the gardener’s skin.

240

Plumeria rubra f. acutifolia,

Apocynaceae

Frangipani