Plumeria rubra ‘Blood Red’

Plumeria rubra 'Blood Red' is the deepest coloured of the common frangipanis, carrying clusters of rich red flowers with the heavy evening perfume the family is grown for. It forms a spreading small tree of about 4m tall and 3m wide, with thick grey branches that hold their shape through winter after the leaves drop.

Why you'll love it

• Red, not the usual pink. The flowers open a deep saturated red that reads from a distance in a way pink and white forms do not.
• Perfume through the warm months. The scent lifts in the evening, so plant it where people sit after dark.
• Sculptural in winter. It is deciduous, and the bare candelabra of thick branches is a feature in itself.
• Coastal and heat proof. Salt tolerant, heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established.
• Genuinely low maintenance. No routine pruning and no staking once settled.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One tree in a courtyard, gravel bed or open lawn, with a plain wall behind it to set off the branch structure.

Poolside. A classic pool tree. It takes reflected heat and chlorine splash, and the large flowers and leaves rake up easily rather than clogging a skimmer.

Coastal gardens and pots. Salt tolerance and sharp drainage needs suit sandy beachside soils, and the modest root system works in a large container.

Growing Plumeria rubra 'Blood Red' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with at least six hours of direct light, or flowering falls away. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, from Darwin through Brisbane to coastal Sydney and Perth. It is frost tender, so cold inland and frosty southern gardens should grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover for winter.

Soil. Drainage matters more than fertility. It sits happily in poor sandy soil and rots in heavy wet clay, so on clay plant on a raised mound, and keep mulch thin and clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. Stop watering once the leaves drop in autumn, because wet soil over a dormant winter is the most common way to kill one. A fertiliser high in potassium in spring and midsummer improves flowering.

Pruning and handling. Prune only to shape or remove damage, in late winter before growth restarts. The milky sap irritates skin and eyes and is not safe for pets or children to chew, so wear gloves and pick up the prunings.

What to expect when it arrives

This selection is grown as an advanced specimen in a 200L container: a mature tree with established branch structure and real height on day one, not a young plant you wait on. It is heavy, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, with delivery arranged to suit access at your address.

Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 on standard sizes. A tree that arrives leafless in the dormant months is normal for a deciduous frangipani, not a sign of trouble. Leaves return with warmth and flowers follow through the same summer. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing frangipani in Australia, using evergreen Plumeria pudica
• Browse more fragrant plants
• Compare plants for poolside gardens
• Plant choices for coastal gardens

Common questions

Why has it dropped all its leaves?

Because it is deciduous. This form loses its foliage in autumn and stands bare through winter, which is normal. Hold off watering while it is bare.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, and that is the safest option in any garden that gets frost. Use a wide container of at least 500mm with free draining mix, and move it under eaves for winter.

Is the sap dangerous?

The white sap irritates skin and eyes and should not be chewed by pets or children, so wear gloves when pruning and wash off any contact promptly. Intact plants pose no issue.