Specific vs General Reasons
Here at Efrangipanis, we often get customers wanting a “dwarf frangipani’ but we like to make sure a dwarf will meet their expectations. We worry a customer might have made their decision on incomplete information or even incorrect information.
While the general idea of getting a dwarf frangipani can be exciting and emotionally satisfying, dwarf frangipanis vary greatly from species to species. For long term satisfaction, consider the specific features of each variety.
4 General Reasons to Get a Dwarf Frangipani
1. I want to grow a frangipani in a pot for 10 years and beyond. Potted frangipanis can be moved around which has numerous advantages.
2. I want a frangipani that will be less than four metres high in fifty years.
3. I want a frangipani that will be less than six metres high in a hundred years. Seriously.
4. I have identified one dwarf frangipani variety that suits my taste and garden style.
7 Specific Reasons to Get a Dwarf Frangipani
1. I like the bonsai-like shape of the petite pink.
2. I like the vigorous growth and scented flowers of the pink pudica.
3. I like the long-lasting abundant flowering of the Everlasting Love pudica.
4. I like the bushy, shrub-like shape of the cuba.
5. I like the fragrant and dense bouquet flowering habit of the Cherry Clusters.
6. I like the scented, musk coloured (a touch of blue to wash through the pink) George Brown flowers.
7. I like the unique shape of the stenophylla, include the petite white flower.
Reasons to get a regular frangipani instead of a dwarf.
1. Some dwarf frangipanis are more delicate (eg. stenophylla and obtusa).
2. Some dwarf frangipanis are more prone to rust (eg. petite pink).
3. Some dwarf frangipanis are more expensive (eg. petite pink)
Sometimes dwarf frangipanis appear more expensive but if you think about the age of the plant instead of the size, you’ll realize it is better value.
4. Some dwarf frangipanis are rarely available and never available in mature specimens (eg. caracasana and cuba)
5. Some dwarf frangipanis have flowers that have only a very mild or no scent (eg. pudica)
6. Some dwarf frangipanis require pruning every two or three years to optimize shape and growth (eg. pudica)
Of course there are the obvious reasons too.
7. Low maximum height. Insufficient shade.
8. Slow growing. And gets trampled on by kids and dogs.
9. One more. All frangipanis can be reduced in size by pruning. When the size is reduced by half or more, we call it “cropping”. After cropping, new branches will grow from each branch stump. The frangipani is likely to look unbalanced and will produce less flowers, especially in the following twelve months. Frangipani trees usually look much bushier, healthier and more attractive 2-3 years after cropping. For this reason, it’s best to do a hard crop, then wait for as many years as possible before the next cropping. If cropping is a solution to your height problem, your options become greater. You can consider the full range of colouful and scented frangipani flowers.