In West Hawaii, the fall weather brings on the dry season. In fact from October 2016 to April 2017, we almost no rain. This fall appears to be another dry start so keep in mind the importance of sufficient irrigation[Read More]
Plants Category
Borneo’s Tropical Vireya Rhododendrons Thrive In Hawaii
Borneo is well known for its spectacular rainforests loaded with many species of palms and carnivorous Nepenthes Pitcher Plants, but it is easy to miss the tropical Vireya Rhododendrons growing as epiphytes high in the tops of gigantic trees. Most folks spend their...
Visit The Orchids Of Kona’s Cloud Forest
Are you looking for ritzy gifts with Lei Day and Mother’s Day just around the corner, then consider orchids. To most people the word “Orchid” immediately brings to mind the purple flowered Cattleyas. This orchid has been and still is the most...
Welcome Spring With The Colors of Azaleas and Hydrangeas
Now, with longer days, most folks are already getting chronic “Hawaiian Spring Fever”. This means getting close to nature with plants. Hydrangeas are coming on the market with blue, pink or white flowers. This is a popular Mother’s Day gift and seldom available...
Save That Easter Lily and More Bulb Relatives
Easter is about new life and resurrection. Many types of bulbs are popular this time of year, but the Easter Lily with its trumpet flowers is by far the most popular. The lesson taught by the Easter lily is that it will soon begin to fade after we celebrate the...
A Rich Addition To The Garden – The Avocado
This coming Saturday, February 27 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Hawaii Avocado Festival. It’s a great time to learn all you ever wanted to know about growing and using avocados. The event will be held at the Sheraton Kona Resort from 10 AM to 5 PM. To get details...
Vines Make Good Screens
Good fences and hedges make good neighbors goes the old saying, and maybe in the old days it was the case. Stone walls are traditional and impressive, but expensive. Today, we have so many choices that an unattractive fence or hedge might create all kinds of neighbor...
Warm Weather Herbs and Spices
Fresh herbs and spices are a natural for outdoor or kitchen gardening. Home-grown flavor plants will add interest and piquant taste to the ordinary round of vegetables. Herbs also add a delightful tang to dressings for chicken, turkey, vegetarian and pork dishes. Most...
Gingers For Fragrance and Easy Color
Hawaii is blessed with a vast array of flowers, and we use them in the landscape for many reasons.Colorful flowering plants add visual beauty. They are useful for leis and flower arrangements, but an added advantage is that many are fragrant. Moist humid tropical...
Be A Tree Or Forest For The New Year
Last week, this garden column subject was about connecting with nature by meditating in your garden or in a forest. Several readers responded in appreciation and mentioned they viewed their garden anew. In conjunction with the article, a number of calls came in...
Christmas – The Time To Give Living Gifts
It is less than two weeks until Christmas and soon the days will be getting longer. As the days lengthen, our garden plants begin to swell with the anticipation of spring. Even in Hawaii where winters are mild, we feel the pulse of new life. Christmas is a perfect...
Buy A “Tropical Pine” For Christmas To Support Local Farmers
Christmas is almost here so folks are sending cards, buying and mailing gifts, but it seems like most folks are a bit slow in getting their mainland Christmas trees up this year. Don’t delay any longer since trees that are shipped in early are best. If you...
Epiphytes Scream Tropical
There is nothing that screams tropical more than epiphytes – “a plant that grows harmlessly upon another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around it.” Perhaps the best rare plant locator...
How To Propagate Cordylines (Ti Plants)
Adapted from a record breaking topic on the Tropiscape Forum – resulting in the #2 Google ranking for a “Propagating Cordyline” search. You can view the entire topic and discussion HERE Visit the legendary...Recent Articles
Brighten Fall Gardening With Flowering Plants And Trees
Temperatures remain very warm but things are about to change. Fall has officially arrived in the northern hemisphere since the sun has moved south of the equator.[Read More]
Vegatables and Annual Flowers Make Good Mates
September is just around the corner so it is time to think about our cool season gardening. Also, high food costs are everyone's headache these days.[Read More]
What Is Permaculture?
Many folks look back and long for the “good old days” but looking back to the plantations days of the 20th century in Hawaii, it wasn’t that great for many.[Read More]
Spice And Herb Gardening For Flavor
Hawaii could be called the Spice Island considering that the spices and herbs of the East Indies and the Mediterranean are also easily grown here.[Read More]
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