FOCUS ON FRANGIPANI

• Plant a tree or put a pot against a north-facing brick wall in free-draining medium – the heat from the bricks will help keep it warm through winter.

• Container plants respond well to pruning in late winter, but remember flowering doesn’t occur on new wood.

• Sunlight – at least six hours a day – triggers flowering. • Frangipani hate wet feet. If planting in heavy soil, add gravel or stones to the hole to help drainage.

• Trees go into dormancy by shedding their leaves and must be protected from frost. Move potted trees into shelter in autumn. • Water well over summer but rarely during winter. Start again as new leaves appear. • Don’t fertilise during dormancy. During growth, diluted liquid fish fertiliser or seaweed solution is good.

• Mulch around the trunk (but not right up to the trunk) to keep roots cool in summer and warm in winter, and help retain moisture.

• The trees like a breeze but not strong winds. They may need staking.

• Some trees produce aerial roots – when these are established, prune the branch below the roots and pot up the cutting. • Although we associate frangipani flowers with the Pacific, the trees are native to Mexico and Central America.

• The tree’s Latin name comes from 17th century botanist and French monk Charles Plumier, while its common name recognises 16th century Italian nobleman Marquis Frangipani, who was known for a perfume he created to scent gloves.