When living close to roads, parks, and other homes, natural barriers to create privacy are often desired. Installing fast-growing plants to screen your land is a great idea that can yield multiple benefits - if the right plants are used! Plants provide oxygen and shade, protect our yards from wind … [Read more...] about 14 Privacy Hedges for Hawaii
pono plants
Nursery Spotlight-Sandalwood Nut Company
Driving along the road high up on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mark Hansen suddenly stops the truck, exclaiming, 'Look at that sandalwood tree!! The Sierra Club volunteers planted this four years ago. It's so healthy! How did I miss it until now?" The gorgeous sandalwood, or ‘iliahi, hiding inside a … [Read more...] about Nursery Spotlight-Sandalwood Nut Company
5 reasons to Grow Native
Here are the top 5 reasons you should grow native plants. One easy way to help native species thrive and survive is by giving them a home in your gardens and landscaping. Nurturing native plants provides each of us the chance to participate in healing the land while offering habitat to native fauna … [Read more...] about 5 reasons to Grow Native
Naupaka kahakai, The right plant for the right place
Hawaii Long ago, the buoyant seeds of Scaevola taccada (naupaka kahakai) buoyant seeds floated across the sea: cruising on currents, riding on waves, and finally landing upon distant shores to grow. Modern day studies have shown that naupaka kahakai seeds are most viable after spending an average … [Read more...] about Naupaka kahakai, The right plant for the right place
10 Christmas tree substitutes for Hawai’i
Holiday traditions vary by family, culture, and geographic location. One thing remains constant: traditions are learned and passed on through generations. Some traditions stay the same, some are forgotten, and some are tweaked to suit changing needs or values. As an island state, we approach many … [Read more...] about 10 Christmas tree substitutes for Hawai’i
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