Plumerias are among the oddest of plants. Originating from the tropical Americas, they're actually trees where they grow year-round in the heat. Most people think plumerias, also known as frangipani, are indigenous to Hawaii because that is where the plant gained its fame as the producer of the dainty flowers used in the ubiquitous Hawaiian leis.

So, you might ask, how the heck can we gardeners in Zone 8B grow these tropical curiosities? Well, it's easier than you think for one big reason: the plumeria has the ability to go completely dormant in the cold weather months. The plant will thrive in the Texas heat that runs spring through fall, and when the cold weather hits, Texas gardeners just gather up their plumerias, pluck off the leaves, and put them away in the garage or storage shed. No light or water needed, the plant hibernates just like a bear!

And when spring comes around, the savvy Texas gardener puts the sleeping plumeria out in a warm sunny spot, gives it a tiny drink of water every week or so until it wakes up, sprouts a few leaves and takes up where it left off last fall. It's pretty amazing.

Now that you know how easy it is to grow these fascinating oddities, come take a look at the large variety we have available...from famous "named" cultivars to affordable garden-variety specimens.