Plumerias hold a special place in the hearts of gardeners in Florida. The exotic tropical beauty of these small tree includes it unusual form, large leaves, and colorful and commonly fragrant flowers in a myriad of colors. On occasion you may see a different looking plumeria – more vase-shaped with buckets of white flowers. There is a cousin of the more common Plumeria rubra called the Bridal Bouquet Plumeria or Plumeria pudica – this is the other Plumeria. Not as common, but so different and easy to grow.
What makes the Bridal Bouquet Plumeria so different? Well, the leaves are very different in shape more resembling a narrow fiddle or spoon up to twelve inches long. Although this tree is labeled as an “evergreen” and can stay in foliage year-round under good conditions, drought and cold will cause the leaves to drop as is seen commonly with other Plumeria. The shape of this tree is also unique with an upright vase-shaped growth topped with white flowers that give this plumeria the appearance of a large, heavenly bouquet. Each flower is about three inches wide with a yellow throat but with no fragrance. The main flowering season is May through November with some flowers noticed throughout the year. One report indicates that an average of one-hundred and eighty-five days of flowering can be expected. The tree itself is rarely over ten to fifteen feet tall and eight to ten foot wide and is more of a large shrub than a small tree.
Plant your Bridal Bouquet Plumeria in a full sun to part-shade area in well-drained average soil. The Bridal Wreath is known to be highly drought tolerant once established and salt tolerant as well. Well-grown Bridal Bouquet Plumeria need little pruning if any. You can increase the bushiness of a small specimen by pruning the tips back a couple of inches during the relatively dry season found in January and February. Keep in mind that the milky sap from cut portions is toxic and a skin irritant.
Now while white, non-fragrant flowers are the norm with Bridal Bouquets, there is a cultivar called ‘New Pink’ which has light pinkish flowers and fragrance – something different to add to your plant palette.
Some good news on pests and the Bridal Bouquet Plumeria is that while it can get a fungus infection called rust, it is moderately resistant as compared with other Plumeria. Picking up old fallen leaves infested with the orange rust pustules can help reduce future infections.
The Bridal Bouquet Plumeria sells itself and all who see them want one. Easily grown from cuttings, this flowering tree is normally available at most garden centers. This other Plumeria is a good choice for your landscape with eye appeal, class, and resilience. For more information on all types of flowering shrubs, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Brown, S. H. (2025) Plumeria pudica. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Lee County
Bailey, C. C. (2021) Florida gardening: Dazzling white blooms accent bridal bouquet frangipani. tcpalm.com
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- Hammer (2014) What’s This? Bridal Bouquet Plumeria (Plumeria pudica) ) The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Manatee County.
McLaughlin, J. (2025) A WORD OR TWO ABOUT GARDENING – Staying Green while Conserving Water in Miami-Dade: Choosing Flowering Shrubs for Landscape Color. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Miami-Dade County.
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