Since 1984, I have been a Lei Day volunteer at the mayor’s celebration at Kapiolani Park. It is such an amazing event and I’ve learned and seen so much over the years. Read more
As part of the 2019 Honolulu Biennial, Foster Botanical Garden features some epic artworks gracing its gardens. Read more
Dragon fruit is being seen more in Hawaii home gardens. Read more
Horticulture with native Hawaiian plants is so much fun and a great challenge for gardeners. Read more
This classic slow-growing plant used to be found in many Hawaii gardens. Read more
Who knew what a great houseplant keiki Cook and Norfolk pines can be!? Read more
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Roselle, a kind of hibiscus known scientifically as Hibiscus sabdariffa, is a pretty plant to grow. Read more
Gingers are “heavy feeders” and benefit from rich compost soil and regular watering. Like most flowering plants, they will bloom best in full sun. Read more
Ohia lehua can be grown from cuttings, air layers or seeds. Starting with seeds is the easiest and most fun way. You don’t need special propagation mist boxes or rooting hormones, just patience and daily gentle watering. Read more
Ripe mangoes serve as a sign of summer joy in Hawaii. Read more
The Adenium — better known as the desert rose — is related to the plumeria, evident by the look of its blossoms and its milky sap. Read more
Gold trees were brought to Hawaii from tropical regions of South America and some were planted in Foster Botanical Garden. Read more
Silver buttonwood grow naturally in mangrove swamps and have a very interesting horticultural history. Read more
Did you know we have many native Hawaiian hibiscus? Some are fragrant, some have flowers that last two days versus the one-day bloom for most varieties. Some of these natives are the “mother” or “tutu/grandmother” of some of our favorite hybrids. Read more
Sedges have edges — did you know that? It’s how we can tell a grass from a sedge. Read more
Back in the 1930s the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association used the Wahiawa Botanical Garden as an experimental arboretum to grow trees for watershed enhancement. The land was up for grabs in the late 1950s when it was rundown, with rows of trees and tall, overgrown Guinea grass. Read more
There are so many fabulous greens we can grow in our gardens here in Hawaii. If you growyour own, you can keep them pesticide-free, and you know they are fresh because you picked them yourself. Read more
Christmas berry (Schinus terebinthifolius) is an invasive weed but has been proved to be useful as decor and for some medicinal uses. It is also a nonthirsty plant. Read more
We have so many amazing ti varieties in Hawaii. The original green ti, also called ki or lai, is a canoe plant, carried here on the great voyaging canoes of the ancient Polynesians. Read more
The “ZZ” plant, also known as Zanzibar Gem, is related to the kalo (taro) plant. Even though a recent addition to our Hawaii nursery trade, they have become widely used in interiorscapes. Read more
Native Hawaiian bees pollinated plants here before honeybees were introduced in 1857. The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences has been working with students to kokua these rare and beneficial native insects. Read more
