Pretty pink with a super strong gardenia fragrance

These are flowers from a tree growing here in town. It's an old tree, probably not named. It's growing on a small strip of dirt between 2 buildings.
I think the color is beautiful, but the fragrance, to die for. I could smell it several feet away and it smells like pure Gardenia. There is another tree there that has a beautiful rounded lighter pink. The bloom is beautiful but doesn't have anywhere near the fragrance this beauty does. There were also several different white ones and some younger ones that have been recently planted. All looked like they desperately needed food and water. They are sandwiched between to parking lots with very little room for the roots to spread out and cool off. I fed them all, hoping we get some rain to wash it in.



This message was edited Aug 12, 2011 9:39 PM

very nice islandgirl. i like the overlapping petals. i hope that you can get some cuttings.

Beautiful. Who do you think planted it?

I got a very nice 3 tip cutting and a one tip. Letting them callous, and will begin to try to root this weekend or next week. I was waiting for Dip n Grow to arrive. I have 17 cuttings to try to root and 4 that are already in their rooting pots.

I like overlapping petals too Tuscon... there was another tree down from that one that was also beautiful. A paler pink, larger flowers. Nice fragrance but not nearly as strong as the other. Here is a photo of the other one. The blooms were way up, this is one that was on the ground:

Is it a no no to break off tips at HD or Lowes? I know. And I would not do that but I do dead head seed pods. LOL. Mother Winter

I have no idea. It's been there for a long time, it's an old tree. It would be much bigger if it got water and food but it doesn't and it has to survive on it's own. I fed all of them along that hot dry strip where they are growing but I had no way to give them any water. We have been so dry. Only one good rain in months. Hopefully the summer rains will come and the food will help. Some of the top leaves are dark green and the younger trees there are not nearly as bad I know who planted the babies and he feeds them each winter when he comes down. I believe one is a California Sally( small still) and a decent size Guillot's Sunset.

Does the city have a water truck? Maybe they would water them, gently. Thanks for taking your time to help these Plumerias survive.

No, they don't have a water truck. They are on commercial property. They take care of the ones in front by the street, but these are way in the back between them and public building. I'm going to write them a letter and see if it helps but I doubt it.

Wishing you luck. Keep us posted.

islandgirl37".......those are beautiful blooms. I don't have any plumerias's but I would love to have some. When I went to Ft. Lauderdale couple month ago I've seen plumeria trees growing everywhere. They smell so good. I hope you are getting some cuttings of these and grow it.

Yes, I would ask the manager of the building. If they do not water it they probably really do not care.

They are looking better. We got a little rain and the food seems to be working. More rain would benefit them immensely.

Good. So glad to hear an update. Sharon