Episode 602: Intoxicating Plumeria

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Aloha Spirit captivated Southern Californians. While the Beach Boys sang about surfing, homeowners planted Plumeria in their gardens. These big, tropical-looking plants produce fragrant, colorful flowers that are a staple of Hawaiian leis, despite their arid Mexican origins. Over the years, Plumeria popularity waned, but has recently made a comeback.
We visit the annual Southern California Plumeria Society’s annual Hawaii Festival and plant sale in San Diego’s Balboa Park as we explore the history and attraction of these beautiful and fragrant crowd-pleasers. We meet serious hobby growers who breed and propagate Plumeria. They tour us through their private collections to share their excitement about the amazing colors, shapes, and fragrances of the plants they’ve created. We learn how well adapted Plumeria are frost-free, waerwise growing conditions. We even learn how to even make a lei or two.

Resources

Southern California Plumeria Society