I Have Planted My Plumeria In The Ground; Would It…
Bill Asked
I have planted my plumeria in the ground; would it be okay to plant impatiens around the base of the plumeria or should I plant the impatiens at least a couple feet away from the base? I know that plumeria doesn’t like a lot of water and impatiens do.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Bill in California: When we think about garden design we have to take into consideration plants that thrive in like conditions. Ideally we want to install plants that require the same growing conditions in the same area. That being said, there are always exceptions and if you are careful about your watering, I think you will be fine to plant impatiens a few feet away from your plumeria (Frangipani). You are correct that plumeria do not like wet feet so it is important that they are planted in well-drained soil and are not over-watered. Impatiens, on the other hand, do appreciate consistent water and we have to take into consideration the size of the plants as well. In most cases the impatiens are going to have a smaller root system than your plumeria, solely because of the size of the plants that are available for purchase. The smaller plants will dry out faster and require more frequent watering. As long as you hand water the impatiens the plumeria should not be subject to too much moisture. I would not put a soaker hose in the area and let it run for any extended period of time. This may be detrimental to your plumeria. Remember that your plumeria will go through a dormant period and will not require any water at all. The main concern to think about is the fact that plumeria thrive when planted in full sun and impatiens are shade-lovers. Unless you are planning on planting the hybrid SunPatiens that tolerate more sun you might consider another sun-loving plant.
