Hala Tree
~ Hala Tree Pandanus tectorius A small tree growing 20 to 30 feet in height and from 15 to 35 feet in diameter. The trunk is stout and the branches grow at wide angles to it. It has distinctive long blade-like leaves (lau hala) about 2 inches wide and over 2 feet long. An excellent plant for poor, salty or sandy soils in hot and windy areas. Hala is great to stabilize sandy soil along coastal and beach front properties where salt spray may kill most other plants. Full Sun 20′ to 30′ height Low water...
Read MorePlumeria Pudica
~ Plumeria Pudica Bridal Bouquet. Perfect accent plant for small yard or patio, this plant blooms year-round, almost non-stop. Rare species and beautiful this plumeria is evergreen, never drops leaves, and looks very tropical and ornamental. Large clusters of bright white 3″ flowers with small yellow or pink centers cover this tree as a beautiful bouquet, hence the common name. Growth habit: medium sized tree with profuse branching, growth is rapid and upright. Leaves are dark green and unique fiddle-shaped, or spoon-shaped. Can be planted in ground in zones 9-11, or...
Read MorePlumeria Tree
~ Plumeria Typically grows as a small tree that reaches a height of about 30 feet and achieves a similar canopy width, though size and compactness varies by cultivar. Leaves are typically glossy green but may be dull and range from 8 to 12 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. Some plumeria lose leaves during winter, but hybrids of round. Most petaled flowers from early spring through fall. Flower color varies between cultivars and may be red, yellow, pink, white or...
Read MoreAshoka Tree
~ Polyalthia longifolia A lofty evergreen tree, native to India, commonly planted due to its effectiveness in alleviating noise pollution. It exhibits symmetrical pyramidal growth with willowy weeping pendulous branches and long narrow lanceolate leaves with undulate margins. The tree is known to grow over 30 ft in height but can be topped. In spring the tree is covered with delicate star-like pale green flowers. The flowers are not conspicuous due to their color. Common names include False Ashoka, Mast tree, and green champa. Methanolic extracts of Polyalthia longifolia have yielded 20 known...
Read MoreDwarf Hau Tree
~Dwarf Hau Tree In the old days this plant was so highly valued that permission to cut it was required of the village chief. Today it is often called “hau bush” and is termed an invasive plant, as it has taken over some areas where acres are covered high with hau, at the same time creating windbreaks and stabilizing the soil. Seeds and cuttings of hau were brought by early Polynesian voyagers to Hawai`i Nei, and planted by the settlers to yield a light-weight tough white wood with a brown heart. Hau is found and used throughout tropical and subtropical Polynesia, Melanesia and...
Read MorePuakenikeni
~Puakenikeni Fagraea berteroana The tree is small and spreading and the flowers are plentiful much of the. Puakenikeni in Hawaiian translation means “ten cent flower”, which they sold for in the 1930’s when first introduced to Hawaii. The puakenikeni flower, referred to as “Fagraea berteroana” scientifically, is used in lei making throughout Hawaiʻi, as well as on the mainland. The Fagraea berteroana trees have green, blunt-tipped leaves and are 13 feet tall on average. The trees themselves have rather skinny trunks and branches. The puakenikeni flowers, which can range...
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Sunset Gardens
- Your Guide to Forget-Me-NotsBlue forget-me-not flowers add a sweet touch of color to your garden bed
- Winter FlowersOur favorite cool-season annuals to plant this fall
- 12 Best Flowers to Grow for CuttingWe tested the best easy-care varieties of flowers for cutting and using in stunning bouquets. Here are our favorites, chosen for their long bloom times, tall stems, and ample vase life