Plumeria trees and shrubs are easy-to-grow tropical wonders that grow very fast and produce a number of popular blooms. These plants, also known as Frangipanis, are commonly known for producing the flowers used to make leis. Plumeria blossoms are available in a wide variety of color shades, from pink and white to yellow, and each blossom is known for being very fragrant with sweet or citrusy scents that are enjoyed particularly at night when they emit the most fragrance.

Growing your own Plumeria tree or shrub is easy to do, provided you live in the right climate. Plumerias are tropical weather lovers who are not at all hardy in temperatures below 40 degrees F. While some plumeria can be grown indoors with the assistance of grow lights, they typically are plants that thrive in the outdoors with lots of warmth and sunlight.

When grown in the right conditions though, Plumeria can be very easy to raise and care for. Plus, they are also very easy to propagate. It is a simple process that has a high success rate if you follow a few basic guidelines. With the right preparation and care, you should be able to see your first Plumeria leaves appear within 60-90 days. And after fourth months or so of caring for your Plumeria, you should have a luxuriant tropical plant. Read on to find out how to grow Plumeria, and decorate your landscape with these brightly flowering trees.

• The red flowers are more fragrant than the yellow flowers

• The yellow flowers are used more often for leis

• String trimmers can easily damage young plumeria trees.

In order to start a brand-new Plumeria tree, many gardeners prefer to start by taking a cutting from an existing, well-established tree. Although the cuttings will propagate at any time of the year, the best time of the year to take your cutting is in December, January or February.

First, take a look at your existing tree and select small branches that are growing sideways for your cutting purposes. Keep the branches that are growing upward in tact on the existing tree. When trimming off the cutting, be sure to use a pair of heavy duty clippers that will make a clean cut so that you do not leave a ragged edge on the tree side of the cut. As you make the cut, be careful not to let the white oil from the plumeria cut get on your clothes or skin. It is very sticky. It is not necessary to spray a sealant on to the tree after making the cut.

After taking the cutting, you will need to wait until a callus forms at the point of the cut, which will take a few weeks. A pail or a bucket that is left in a dry area is a good place to leave the cutting while you wait for the callus to form. While you are waiting, most of the remaining leaves will become dry and brown. Gently pull down on the leaves, and they will fall off. Twenty eight days after making the cut is a good time to pot the plumeria.

Because of their shallow roots, the plumeria cutting can be placed in almost any pot, as long as you follow a basic guideline for sizing: Use a gallon of pot for every foot of plumeria tree. Many four-foot cuttings are originally potted in a one-gallon pot or smaller.

If you are using an old pot, wash the pot first so that no seeds from other plants are clinging to the pot. If you are using one of the black plastic pots with the large holes on the bottom edges, take a piece of old newspaper large enough to cover the bottom and the holes, and place the newspaper in the bottom of the pot.

Fill one third of the pot with potting soil. Now, place the cutting into the pot so that it is centered. If the cutting is very long and heavy, so that it would cause the pot to topple over if unattended, place a bucket or a chair next to the pot so that the cutting will have something to lean on while you are adding the rest of the potting soil.

Now, gently add more potting soil until another third of the pot is filled. Press down on the soil with your fingertips or the edge of a dowel until the soil is firm, but don't pack the soil. Add more soil and press down until two inches of pot is unfilled. Then take a piece of old newspaper and cut a circle that will barely cover the pot. Now, cut the newspaper through the center and place it around the cutting. The newspaper will help to keep out unwanted seedlings and will help keep in moisture.

Add another inch of potting soil. If you plan to plant the plumeria in the ground, and you know that you are likely to use a string trimmer around it, you may want to place a metal can that has been opened on both ends, over the cutting. The bark of the plumeria cutting will be fragile, and a string trimmer will easily damage it.

Finally, it is a good idea to place pebbles or small rocks around the cutting so that, when you water the cutting, the potting soil is not overly disturbed. White rock will give the pot a pleasing appearance. Finally, place the pot in a saucer. If you are using a black plastic pot you might try one of the clear plastic saucers found at most plant nursery's. If the potting soil is moist, give the cutting about eight ounces of water per gallon of pot. If the potting soil is dry, double this amount. Water the cutting about once a week.