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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