{"product_id":"plumeria-cotton-candy","title":"Plumeria Cotton Candy","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCotton Candy Frangipani\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumeria rubra 'Cotton Candy'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apocynaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cultivated selection (species native to Mexico, Central America, Caribbean)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous small tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCotton Candy Frangipani is a soft, romantic tri-colour selection: pink petals fade to white towards a sunny yellow centre, with a candy-striped flush on the reverse of each petal. The sweetly fragrant blooms appear in generous clusters through the warmer months over lance-shaped dark green leaves. It is a vigorous grower that makes a beautiful specimen tree or large container plant. Like all plumerias, it thrives in Adelaide's warm, frost-free microclimates, and container plants can be moved under cover during winter cold snaps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 m H × 3–4 m W in-ground in Adelaide (can reach 6 m × 5 m in tropical climates); compact and manageable when container-grown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; 20–40 cm per year; establishes in 2–3 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lance-shaped dark green leaves; deciduous in winter, showcasing sculptural branches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft pink petals fading to white with a yellow centre and candy-striped reverse; sweetly fragrant; clusters from late spring through summer into autumn (Nov–Apr in SA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late spring leaf-out → summer pastel pink blooms → winter architectural branching\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attracts Butterflies; Good for Pollinators (fragrant blooms draw night-flying moths)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-Tolerant (once established), Heat-Tolerant, Coastal-Tolerant. Frost sensitive—protect below 2 °C; avoid cold, waterlogged soils in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Specimen: 1 tree per 9–16 m² (3–4 m apart). Excellent in large containers (minimum 50–60 cm diameter)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Toxic. Milky latex sap causes skin and eye irritation; ingestion causes gastrointestinal upset in pets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun (6–8+ hrs) for best flowering; tolerates light part shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very well-drained sandy\/loam; raised beds or large pots if clay; add perlite\/pumice for drainage; avoid winter-wet sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; keep almost dry in winter, especially when leafless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low-moderate; tip-prune late winter\/early spring after frost risk to encourage branching; mulch in spring; balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertiliser every 2–4 weeks in the growing season (avoid excess nitrogen); easy propagation from cuttings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25–50+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to Mediterranean\/temperate SA in warm, frost-sheltered positions (coastal Adelaide, Adelaide plains ideal); marginal in Adelaide Hills without winter protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0); tolerates mildly alkaline if drainage is excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Cotton Candy where its soft pastel flowers and perfume can be enjoyed up close—beside a patio, pool or outdoor dining area. The gentle pink-and-white colouring suits cottage-meets-tropical gardens and pairs beautifully with silver and grey foliage. Grow it in a large decorative pot on a sunny terrace or flanking an entry, so it can follow the sun and shelter from winter cold. Underplant with Evolvulus, Portulaca or Gazania, or combine with Agave, Aloe, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus and Lomandra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoft pink, white and gold blooms with a candy-striped back look as sweet as the name suggests, and the fragrance is just as sweet on warm evenings. It flowers for months through summer, needs little water once established, and is right at home in Adelaide's dry summers—a pretty, easy-care way to add a tropical feel to the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"200mm Pot","offer_id":67622395150588,"sku":"PLUM-COTT-CAND-200MM","price":28.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/plumeria-cotton-candy-frangipani-200mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1790918030","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/plumeria-cotton-candy","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}