GARDEN LIFE
Flower of China
Kiran Narain

Temple Tree or Frangipani makes a beautiful specimen for terrace gardens

Known by various names like the Temple Tree, Pagoda Tree, Champa or Khairchampa in different parts of India, Frangipani (Family Apocynaceae) is one of the most extensively grown flowering trees. An emblem of immortality to both Buddhists and Muslims, it is frequently planted near monasteries and graveyards. The tree is grown in temples also for its daily supply of sweet, scented, fresh and creamy flowers. The exotic flowers open, bloom and fall on the earth almost throughout the year in temperate climates.

The 17^th century French botanist Charles Plumier gave the tree its name Plumeria that is actually a native of Mexico and Guatemala. It might have travelled to India via China, as it is known as "Gul Chin" in Urdu, meaning the flower of China.

The plumerias have a long flowering period from March-April to October and are, therefore, very popular with garden lovers. It is also a tree that is easily propagated by cuttings in July-August. It is a good idea to let the cuttings wilt a little so that the white sap, which exudes from the cut, dries up before planting. The tree can thrive on stony and sandy soil and is widely used in landscaped parks and gardens or even on terrace gardens.

Plumeria acutifolia: It is a low spreading tree that seldom attains more than 20 feet in height. The stem is bare with crooked branches bearing terminal clusters of broad tapering leaves capped with large corymbs of waxy fragrant white flowers with a bright yellow centre. The five spreading petals are overlapping, curling on one side. It is leafless from December, yet some of the young trees do not seem to lose their foliage for long.

P. rubra: It is a variety with dark crimson buds and petals, which underneath are half crimson and half white. When newly opened, the flowers are dark coloured but gradually fade off. The flowers are not as powerfully scented as its white cousin but are equally popular for garlands. Some specimens grown in large tubs or pots make lovely terrace garden plants due to their prolific flowering.

P. alba: Also called the Pagoda Tree, it is a dwarf variety bearing clusters of glossy, dark green, ovate leaves. It is almost evergreen and is believed to be a native of India as it is seen in ancient Kushana sculptures. As the name suggests, it has white flowers.

There are some medicinal values attributed to plumeria flowers, buds, bark, heated leaves and sap, which flows from any wound or broken stem.

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