PLUMERIA obtusa (White Frangipani)

White frangipani (Plumeria obtusa) is the frangipani that keeps its leaves. It grows to about 5m tall and 4m wide, with rounded glossy foliage and pure white flowers marked yellow at the throat, carrying a scent that fills a courtyard on a still evening. This is ex ground stock, a mature tree lifted from the growing field, so the frame is there from the first day.

Why you'll love it

• Fragrance that carries. The white and yellow flowers are among the strongest scented in a warm climate garden, and the perfume holds into the evening.
• Evergreen in warm gardens. Unlike the common frangipani it keeps its leaves through winter in frost free zones, so it avoids months as bare sticks.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Non invasive, so it can sit near paving, a pool surround or a boundary without lifting anything.
• Built for heat and salt. Salt tolerant, heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established, which is what a hot exposed courtyard needs.

Where it works best

Poolside. Non invasive roots, modest leaf litter and a sculptural branch structure make it one of the safer trees to plant near a pool.

Feature planting. The branching shape is the reason to buy it. Give it open ground where that structure reads, and underplant with something low.

Coastal gardens. Salt laden wind does not mark the leaves, so it holds up on exposed coastal blocks where many flowering trees burn.

Small gardens. At around 4m wide it fits a courtyard, and its tidy habit means no constant cutting back.

Growing white frangipani in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun all day for flowering. This is a tree for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens only. It is frost tender, and one hard frost will take out the soft branch tips, so cold inland and southern gardens are unsuitable.

Soil. Drainage matters more than fertility. Sandy and gravelly ground suits it perfectly. On clay, plant high on a mound, because wet feet through a cool winter is the main way these trees are lost.

Water and feed. Water while it establishes, then leave it alone. Once away it is drought tolerant and resents overwatering. A high potassium fertiliser in early spring and midsummer improves flowering.

Pruning. Rarely needed. Take off damaged branches in late winter, and note that cut stems bleed a milky sap that irritates skin and eyes. Wear gloves and keep offcuts away from children and pets.

What to expect when it arrives

This is ex ground stock, a mature tree grown in the field and lifted with a root ball rather than a potted nursery plant. It needs machine access, a prepared hole and staking on the day it lands. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with specialist transport quoted for a specimen of this size.

Expect it to look sparse for a season while the root system rebuilds. Water it in well, then hold off until the soil dries out. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 on standard stock and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing between the frangipani varieties
• Browse the full ex ground tree range
• Plants suited to poolside gardens
• More fragrant plants for warm gardens

Common questions

Is it really evergreen?

In tropical and subtropical gardens it holds foliage year round, which is what separates it from the common frangipani. In cooler warm temperate gardens a cold winter can still strip it, and the leaves return in spring.

Is it safe around pets and children?

The milky sap irritates skin, eyes and mouth, so we do not list this as a pet friendly plant. Most animals leave it alone, but pick up pruning offcuts rather than leaving them on the lawn.

How close to a pool can I plant it?

Closer than most trees. The roots are non invasive so paving and pool shells are safe, and 1.5m to 2m of clearance from the edge is generally enough.