Frangipanis also known by their botanic name Plumeria . It has romantic fragrance and a choice of beautiful warm tropical colours. For centuries frangipani has been one of the great plants for human adornment. The early uses of frangipani have been recorded by the ancient Aztecs.

It is a deciduous shrubs and trees, native to Mexico and Central America and Venezuela, it produces flowers ranging from yellow to pink. In several Pacific islands, Frangipanis are used for making leis. Frangipani has spread to all tropical areas of the world.

Frangipani was the name of an Italian perfume used to scent gloves in the 16th century and named after its creator, Marquis Frangipani. When the frangipani flower was discovered, its natural perfume reminded people of the scented gloves and so the flower was called Frangipani. The genus name, Plumeria commemorates Charles Plumier, a 17th century French botanist.

Frangipani is known by different name in different places. In Mexico, Frangipani is known as "cacalloxochitl" which means "crow flower." It was used for many medicinal purposes such as salves and ointments.

Here are other names for Frangipani in other countries

• Kembang Kamboja - Indonesia
• Temple Tree or Champa - India
• Kalachuchi - Philippines
• Araliya or Pansal Mal - Sri Lanka
• Champa - Laos
• Lantom" or Lilarwadee - Thai

Frangipani is easy to grow from cuttings. It can be pruned and will do well in pots. Frangipanis are a fantastic addition to the garden, have fragrant flowers throughout summer and are best suited to sunny spots in tropical to warm, frost-free coastal areas.

I remember when I was young, most Frangipani are mostly white with a yellow centre, but now there are a range of colour varieties including yellow, apricot, salmon, pink, red and crimson.

Here in Australia, there are a lot of products that are inspired by Frangipani flowers from car stickers to frangipani scented soap , scented candles and incense, Frangipani Body Butter. I think there is a Frangipani craze that is sweeping the country and is continuing to grow.