This supplement is additional information to the following article as seen in Issue Four:

Frangipani
the noble nosegay comes of age
– Part 1
pp. 62-65 by Steve Prowse

History
Plumeria (approx 12 species & numerous naturally occurring varieties) are endemic to and originate from South and Central Americas in addition to the Caribbean Islands. There are approximately 4000 named cultivars that have been bred outside their native homeland, all derive from wild stock.

Some believe that South American seafarers brought their sacred frangipani with them when they inhabited and colonised Polynesia.
From Polynesia the noble nosegay was taken all around the world, loved by all, resulting in a common belief that Hawaii and other Polynesian Islands are the home of the frangipani. Another theory is that early Spanish seafarers brought the frangipani to the western Pacific. Either way, the plant’s succulent stems and the ability of cuttings to strike roots allowed it to survive long sea journeys with ease.

Pruning
Frangipani trees respond to pruning to maintain a preferred smaller size however if left to grow naturally they develop a beautiful natural framework of branches.

To create a densely branched specimen prune branches to one half or one third of their natural length. These pruned branches will sprout multiple branches near the pruned ends.

Pruning to create a standard shrub with a long trunk and no lower branches is done simply by pruning branches right back to the main trunk, or if a large parent tree is available, selecting a long straight branch as a cutting as an instant shortcut.

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