A menace for Hawai'i: A newly established weed promises to add even more burden to gardeners and plant lovers. Hairy crabweed (Fatoua villosa) was recently found invading a Hilo garden. Just a few weeks after planting a locally purchased Samoan gardenia, an unsuspecting gardener found hairy … [Read more...] about A new weed in potted plants
Is Medinilla invasive in Hawaii?
Betrayed by beauty - Invasive Medinilla: Medinilla magnifica and Medinilla cumminigii are invasive species in Hawaii. Yet, some garden stores continue to promote and sell them as prized horticultural specimens. Profusely blooming and fruiting, the plant blooms with showy pink or purple flowers that … [Read more...] about Is Medinilla invasive in Hawaii?
Nitrogen-fixing plants for Hawaii
Nitrogen (N) is essential for plant growth, as everyone knows. Nitrogen-fixing plants, with help from bacteria in their root nodules, capture convert, store, and release it. Native Ecosystem It seems counter-intuitive that native plants don’t always do well in nitrogen-rich areas. Still, it was … [Read more...] about Nitrogen-fixing plants for Hawaii
Plant Pono Spotlight-Elemental Plants
“Everyone craves a connection to the land,” says Michael Gibson, owner of Elemental Plants Nursery in Honoka’a. “Caring for and cultivating native plants restores and strengthens that connection.” Elemental Plants sits at the top of the Hamakua Farm Hub, at the corner of Hawaii Belt Road and Mamane … [Read more...] about Plant Pono Spotlight-Elemental Plants
PLANT PONO SPOTLIGHT – Aikane Nursery and Landscaping
“Every time you say a native plant’s name, it gives life and breath to that plant,” said Brad Belmarez, co-owner of Aikane Nursery and Landscaping. The family-run business no longer uses botanical names for plants in favor of their Hawaiian names. Located in Hawi in the Kohala district of Hawai'i … [Read more...] about PLANT PONO SPOTLIGHT – Aikane Nursery and Landscaping
Pono Plant: Royal poinciana
All over Hawai’i island in the summer months, the royal poinciana puts on a blazing display of red and orange. Even on the east side of the island, we can witness the royal poinciana in full bloom right now. The scientific name Delonix regia brings together delos and onux, the Greek words for … [Read more...] about Pono Plant: Royal poinciana
