Exotic Tropical Plumeria Flowers Plants

Plumeria, also known as Frangipani by many, is a member of the Apocynaceae family which is commonly called dogbane family. This dogbane family consists of about 200 genera and more than 2000 species. Members of this family of flowering tropical plants are often found in subtropical and tropical regions of the world and include trees, shrubs, herbs and lianas.

All members of this family have a milky sap, latex, which can be seen flowing when parts of the plant are cut or injured. Many of the flowers are fragrant and generally include 5 petals. Adenium, Allamanda, Catharanthus, Mandevilla, Nerium oleander and Thevetia are well known members of the Apocynaceae family. The Asclepiadaceae family, which includes Asclepias tuberosa and Stephanotis, has been combined with the Apocynaceae family by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, APG.

These tropical plants can grow to different heights depending on the variety, ranging from 3 to 6 feet for dwarfs to 40 feet tall. Most plumerias are deciduous in their native habitats during the shorter days of the year, except varieties of Plumeria obtusa, which keep most of their leaves all year long.

It is possible for Plumerias to be rooted, grown, and flowering all year long under grow lights indoors when proper growing conditions are provided, including proper potting medium, fertilizer, humidity, temperature and air flow.

During the summer months these tropical beauties can grow and flower outdoors as far north as Alaska and Sweden. Plumerias don't need the tropical sun and constant high temperatures of their natural habitat to produce their exotic flowers. Well flowering plumeria plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight a day outdoors or 14 - 16 hours per day indoors under grow lights. Proper fertilization and growing techniques are more important than the tropical sun.

Following is a short list of some proven and tested Plumeria varieties:

● Celadine, produces bright yellow flowers with a white margin that can be up to 3 inches and more in diameter. The flowers have a strong citrus fragrance and excellent keeping quality.
● Hilo Beauty, produces extraordinary deep red flowers, reminding one of red velvet, which can be up to 4 inches in diameter. The flowers have heavy texture, excellent keeping quality and a strong spicy fragrance which becomes even stronger after the flower has been picked.
● India, produces flowers with deep red lines which show up nicely against the yellow to orange background. Flowers have a heavy texture and can be up to 4 inches in diameter. The fragrance of the flowers is very sweet and keeping quality is very good.
● Kauka Wilder, produces exotic flowers which are a combination of red and yellow which results in extraordinary vibrant flowers. Flowers are up to 3 inches and more across and have a very sweet fragrance. This plumeria flowers early and easily.
● Kimo, is called the "Chameleon" because it changes the color and the intensity of its flowers dramatically depending on where it's grown. The orange flowers are heavily overlapping and almost form a circle. The flowers have a delightful sweet fragrance, heavy texture and good keeping quality.
● Kuleana, is one Plumeria not often seen, but its well worth mentioning.The yellow petals moderately overlap and show some pink towards the tips. The flowers are sweetly scented and have an excellent keeping quality.
● Lucky Star, produces rainbow colored flowers which are between 3 and 3 ½ inches in diameter. The center of the flower is red from which pink, red and yellow bleed into the petals with one side of the petals being dark pink. The fragrance of the flowers is sweet and keeping quality is very good.
● Lurline, produces exotic flowers which are a combination of orange and red on yellow. The outer edges and tips of the petals show some purple. The flowers are up to 4 inches in diameter and have a very good keeping quality. The fragrance is spicy and flower production continues for many months.
● Neon Lights, is an often overlooked Plumeria producing vibrantly pink colored flowers. The word "neon" is a perfect fit for the flowers which are about 3 inches in diameter, have a sweet fragrance and excellent keeping quality. The flowers have a reddish center from which some yellow and gold "bleeds" into the petals.
● Samoan Fluff, produces 3 ½ inches white flowers with a small yellow center. This plumeria produces full inflorescences of sweetly scented flowers which have a very good keeping quality.
● Tomlinson, is an excellent easy to grow plumeria producing pink and white flowers with a small yellow center. Flowers are around 3 inches in diameter, have a sweet fragrance and very good keeping quality.
● Waimea, produces breathtaking orange red flowers which can turn deep red depending on where this plumeria is grown. Flowers are up to 3 ½ inches in diameter, have a sweet fragrance and good keeping quality.

Flowering Plumeria plants reward gardeners many times over for the work involved in growing them with their unique individual colors, fragrances and beauty.

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Beautiful Autumn Garden Flowers

The well-tended autumn garden can delight with a wonderful display of colour before winter sets in. The autumn garden can be rich with flowers, the colours much deeper than the pastel shades of spring; calendulas and marigolds, dahlias, showy chrysanthemums and Michaelmas daisies all making a contribution.

Two types of flowers are seen in autumn. There are the real autumn flowers and then the summer flowers that have lingered on. There will be a few annual larkspurs, scabiosas, busy lizzies, lobelia and others still making a showing. Clematis paniculata is an autumn blooming vine and white Japanese anemones will appreciate a backdrop of rich red Virginia creeper.

Japanese anemones are one of the most desirable autumn flowers and they flourish in cool, half-shaded places which are often difficult to populate with suitable plants. They can look lovely amongst ferns.

Of the small plants, cyclamen and winter flowering pansies stand out in the autumn. Cyclamen come in a range of rich reds and also white with its variegated leaf. Cyclamen are frost hardy but appreciate a sheltered spot. The winter flowering pansies have striking colours, some are of a single colour, whilst many others are multi-coloured.

Bluish lilac heathers make excellent autumn container plants and will be enhanced by mixing with ivy. Chrysanthemums flower prolifically over a period of several weeks and make a bold contribution to an autumn colour scheme with their rust and gold flowers amongst other colours. And intensely coloured dahlias in their many varieties will beautify any garden until the first frost strikes.

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Colourful Summer Garden Flowers

You may wish to make a few enquiries before planning your Summer garden. Some plants like a lot of sun while some will get killed by it. Depending on where you live, then the amount of sun that gets to your Summer garden may vary widely. You can also create micro-climate zones in your garden. Under a large tree would be great for plants that enjoy shade, while an elevated rock bed would make a great home for succulents or cacti. Most plants have flowers but it's usually the bright and colourful ones we choose for our Summer gardens.

As you purchase and plant your garden, place similar needs plants closer together. That way you can control those micro-climate zones much better. Water is also a factor in this. You may need to supplement certain areas of your garden with additional hand watering. If you can locate these types closer to your house, then you won't have to go our and buy hundreds of extra yards of garden hose! A lot of garden books will offer info on which flowers may be planted together. You will also want to plant flowers that you like so you can pick a lot of bouquets throughout the Summer.

A few suggestions for beautiful flowers are listed below:
● Geraniums. These hardy plants come in a huge variety and will bloom year after year. They can be used in borders or as spots of bright colour. They may also be planted in pots that you can move around.
● Hibiscus. These are hardy tropical shrubs that will come back year after year and they can grow quite tall. They come in many different types and species and colours.
● Marigolds. These is another species of extremely hardy plants. They come in many colours and varieties, bloom year after year, and also, they keep away most bugs as well as deer! The peppery smell and taste is probably their best defence.
● Impatiens. These beautiful flowers love the shade, along with filtered sun. They come in many colours and types and stay fairly small. These would be could for under a large tree garden, but as long as they can get enough light.
● Viola. These are the flowers that look a bit like African Violets. They can be grown in borders or clumps, but are not a full sun plant.
● Mimulus. This is a colourful plant that can tolerate partial sun.
● Lobelia and Ageratum. These beautiful plants have gorgeous blue hues that may add just the right mix to your Summer garden.

This is only a small sampling of the huge variety of plants and shrubs and flowers and even vegetables (ornamental cabbage is one) that you may choose for your Summer garden. Plan your garden before plunging in and buying a lot of plants. There are even computer programs that may help you.

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Red roses, what's the meaning is?

The red rose not only carries the deepest meaning among all the rose colors - It is one of the universal symbols of love and affection. This flower's long, eventful history lends it a breadth of significance. The red rose has been incorporated into many works of art from classical poetry to paintings. It is also the inspiration for many artists and lovers across cultures. Shakespeare made an allusion to roses in Romeo and Juliet, and the poet Robert Burns created a poem on the beauty of the red rose. In the present day, the red rose figures not only in music and media, but also as religious and political symbols. Because of that, the red rose symbolizes courage, respect, and prosperity, making them an appropriate gift when we want to make a dramatic statement.

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Red tulips

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