Native frangipani

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering is usually best with plenty of sun. Choose a sheltered position.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established trees tolerate short dry spells, but grow and flower better with deep watering during prolonged dry weather.

Soil

Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; tolerates sandy soil and loam, and clay that drains freely. Avoid waterlogged ground.

Height

20-40 ft (6-12 m) in gardens; potentially much taller in rainforest conditions

Spread

10-20 ft (3-6 m)

Flowers

Spring to early summer; fragrant tubular flowers open creamy white and age to golden yellow.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, dark green, oblong leaves with paler undersides, carried on spreading branches.

Growth

Moderate to fast in warm conditions with adequate moisture

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Needs looking after

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   8 ft (2.4 m)

3. After 2 years

   9 ft (2.9 m)

4. After 3 years

   11 ft (3.3 m)

5. After 5 years

   14 ft (4.2 m)

About 16 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Spread organic mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Apply a modest amount of balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• Protect young trees from frost with horticultural fleece and shelter them from strong winds.
• Stake only if the root ball moves in the wind; use flexible ties and remove the support once roots hold firmly.

Pruning. Prune lightly after flowering to remove damaged or crossing branches and guide the shape of young trees. Avoid regular hard pruning or topping, which spoils the natural framework.

Spring

Plant once damaging frosts have passed, then water thoroughly and mulch.

Spring

Check new growth and feed lightly if the tree is struggling in poor soil.

Early summer

After flowering, remove damaged branches and make any light shaping cuts.

Summer

Water young trees deeply during dry spells and check that ties are not rubbing the bark.

Autumn

Remove unwanted seedlings and check mulch depth without piling it against the trunk.

Winter

Protect young plants during frosts and check that the root area is not remaining waterlogged.

• Use as a flowering specimen in a sheltered lawn or mixed border, allowing room for its mature canopy.
• Place near a terrace or frequently used path where the flower scent can be enjoyed, without crowding paving or buildings.
• Combine with evergreen shrubs and shade-tolerant groundcovers for a layered subtropical planting.
• Use as a light shade tree in an Australian native garden with an understorey of lomandra and native violet.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Modern tropical, Woodland, Sensory garden, Luxury resort and Tropical.

Plant it with: Lomandra, Native violet, Kangaroo paw, Bird's nest fern, Clivia and Dianella.

Wildlife: The scented flowers attract bees and other nectar-feeding insects. The evergreen canopy provides shelter for small birds.

• Frost damage: young leaves and shoots may blacken; protect young trees and wait until spring growth begins before removing damaged wood.
• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting and avoid frequent watering where the soil remains wet.
• Scale insects: inspect stems and leaf undersides; treat small infestations with horticultural oil according to the label.
• Sparse growth or poor flowering in deep shade: choose a brighter position and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific safety information is limited. It is not an edible plant; discourage chewing of leaves, bark or seeds.

Where it spreads. Has naturalised outside its native range in south-western Western Australia, where it can escape into bushland. Remove unwanted seedlings near natural vegetation.

• Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)

  True frangipani has thick, succulent branches, milky sap and broad, waxy flowers. Native frangipani has slender woody branches, smaller tubular flowers and no milky sap.

• Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum)

  Sweet pittosporum has conspicuously wavy leaf margins, smaller cream flowers and orange capsules containing sticky seeds. Native frangipani has larger flowers that turn yellow and dry capsules containing winged seeds.

Hymenosporum refers to the membranous wings of the seeds, flavum means yellow, and native frangipani refers to the flowers' resemblance in scent to those of true frangipani.

Propagation. Sow fresh seed in a warm, well-drained propagation mix. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer can also root with warmth and humidity, though success is variable.

Accepted botanical name

Hymenosporum flavum

Native range

New Guinea, New South Wales and Queensland.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.