With more and more gardeners worldwide, particularly in temperate growing zones, starting to grow plumeria plants, the demand for dwarf and compact varieties increases dramatically. But what can be considered a dwarf plumeria plant and what characteristics define a compact plumeria plant?

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2.  Plumeria growers worldwide, especially in
temperate climates, are looking for dwarf and
compact varieties to grow in pots. This allows for
easy handling of the plants when cooler weather
arrives and the plants need to be brought indoors.

3.  What exactly would be considered a dwarf
plumeria plant? This question might be
answered by plumeria growers in different ways.
 Some consider plumeria plants to be dwarfs as
long as they don't exceed a height of eight feet
which might be considered tall but definitely not
dwarf by others.

4.  In recent years many dwarf plumeria plants have
been introduced to the public with Plumeria rubra
'Devine' and Plumeria rubra 'Mini White' being
labeled true miniatures. These two miniatures are
very floriferous with flowering occuring at
sometimes one inch or less from the last flowering
point on the plant. Generally, there are more than
forty growing tips, branches, on one average two
foot tall 'Divine' plant.

5.  Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore Pink' is
considered a true dwarf plant which, even under
ideal conditions, rarely grows more than six to
eight inches per year. 'Dwarf Singapore Pink'
develops several branches after each
inflorescence starts to develop. The leaves of
“Dwarf Singapore Pink' are oblong and have a
shiny green color. The white flowers with a yellow
center have a sweet fragrance. With proper
growing conditions, 'Dwarf Singapore Pink' grows
and flowers throughout the year.

6.  Plumeria obtusa ‘Dwarf Singapore Pink’

7.  Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Singapore' has
white, cup-shaped flowers with a lemony
fragrance. It grows and flowers, like 'Dwarf
Singapore Pink', throughout the year if provided
with the right growing conditions.
 Plumeria obtusa 'Dwarf Deciduous', an easy to
grow plumeria, produces white flowers with a
golden center. The fragrance of the flowers is
strong and reminds one of citrus. Plumeria obtusa
'Dwarf Deciduous' is a very floriferous plant with
many flowers opening at the same time resulting
in full inflorescences, flower stalks.

8.  Plumeria 'Dwarf Richard Criley', an evergreen
variety, produces flowers which are similar in
shape to 'Dwarf Singapore Pink', but larger in
diameter. 'Dwarf Richard Criley' produces rainbow
colored flowers with an orange center that bleeds
into the petals. The flowers have a light spicy
fragrance.
 Plumeria 'Dwarf Siam Yellow' has uniquely
crinckled glossy leaves. The flowers are yellow
with a sweet fragrance. 'Dwarf Siam Yellow' is a
slow grower.

9.  These are some plumeria plants which are
considered dwarfs. Select hand pollination results
in new releases of dwarf varieties each year.
 Compact plants are not necessarily classified as
dwarf plants.

10.  Plumeria 'Pink Pansy' has white pansy shaped
flowers with a golden yellow center and marked
pink edging. The fragrance of these flowers is
very sweet. 'Pink Pansy' is a very compact grower
and great candidate for container gardening as it
can be kept on the small side, four to six feet, with
proper pruning.

11.  Plumeria 'Penang Peach', named after the
Malaysian island of Penang, is another compact
growing variety. The flowers of 'Penang Peach'
are yellow to orange, have a very sweet fragrance
and excellent keeping quality. One distinct
characteristic of 'Penang Peach' is that the leaves
show a hook at the tip.

12.  Plumeria 'Yellow Jack Compact' produces three
to four inch yellow flowers with small white
edging. The petals reflex, bend
backwards, creating a lovely effect. The fragrance
is very sweet. 'Yellow Jack Compact' is a very
compact growing tree.

13.  As time goes on more and more dwarf and
compact plumeria varieties with outstanding
characteristics, like big colorful flowers with good
keeping quality, will be developed to bring joy to
both indoor and outdoor gardeners.
Copyright © Bob Walsh
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com