August 2024

Plumeria alba is one of eleven species of flowering plants in the genus Plumeria, native to Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. Lots of common names are used to identify this plant, but in the United States the accepted name is plumeria. This plant and a few other species and hybrids are grown as ornamentals worldwide for the attractive and fragrant flowers. Plumeria are considered an invasive species in tropical regions of Asia and Pacific Islands where they are found growing in the wild.

Flower color of P. alba is white with yellow centers. Other species’ colors range from dark red, pink to pastel colors. The flowers are very fragrant especially in the evening, with hints of jasmine, citrus, and gardenia. The flowers are used for making leis on many Pacific Islands including Hawaii. The number of flowers per cluster varies from 50 to 200 flowers opening over a period of months.

In tropical regions, plumeria are used as landscape plants where some types can grow more than 30 feet tall. Here in the Ozarks, plumeria are grown in containers to be moved outdoors during warm weather onto sunny decks and patios where their fragrance can be enjoyed in the summer. Then brought indoors when the weather cools and night temperatures drop to the 40Fs.

Here at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks you will find two large plumerias at the entrance gate and one smaller one on the terrace. The two large plumeria are on loan to BGO for visitors to enjoy. Come visit your Botanical Garden this summer and smell the plumeria as you enter our gates!

Berni Kurz, Director of Horticulture

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks