TimeOut

If you have ever been to Hawaii, and received an aromatic lei around your neck, you know the Plumeria flower. (Or if you have watched Hawaii Five-O).

These extremely fragrant, beautiful flowers  grow in tropical climates on islands and mainland countries around the Pacific Ocean (Central America, SE Asia and a few scattered spots in Calif and Florida).

NOTE: I threw in a few birds of Paradise too.

Plumeria in the gardens at our Kauai hotel.

After posting on the Hibiscus a few weeks ago, I was pondering what is my next favorite flower ... and I decided the Plumeria is a top contender for favorite. One reason for my decision is the multitude of varieties that are grown by friends and neighbors here in San Diego. (Photo collage from the Southern California Plumosa Society website; including recent award winners from their local show).

I walked down the street to see my friend Carl who lives mostly in San Diego but his wife is Hawaiian so they go there frequently. For many years he has been carrying back cuttings which he cultivates in his garden.

I think it's fair to say that Carl has a "green thumb".

As he was showing me the Plumeria, a Monarch butterfly decided to interrupt our discussion. It landed on some milkweed plants he has sitting around (for just that purpose).

Anyway, after I tore myself away (with books and printouts in hand)

I came home to sort through the pictures I've collected in the past 2 weeks on neighborhood walks (not posted here).

Here's another neighbor's complete bush / tree if you haven't seen one.

The flowers are somewhat unusual in their location at the extreme end of the branch.

After the season is over, the flowers drop off and the plant goes dormant for a few months. During this time it's important not to water the Plumeria, or it may die. (Sadly this has happened to ours)

All these blooms are from neighbors within a few blocks of us.

Although I have to confess I have not linked the location of the plants with these photos, so I can't go back and "borrow" a cutting without having to re-trace all my steps.

Plumeria in October (Cuernevaca, Mexico) looks dead, with no flowers and no leaves. Don't add water!

And these are the same plants the next time we visited in May.

I hope you enjoyed the Plumeria tour!

Cazalea

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