With today being Mother’s Day and Father’s Day not far away, trying to wrack our brains for just the right last-minute gift can be frustrating. On top of that, there are birthdays, weddings, Boys Day, Girls Day, and the need
With today being Mother’s Day and Father’s Day not far away, trying to wrack our brains for just the right last-minute gift can be frustrating. On top of that, there are birthdays, weddings, Boys Day, Girls Day, and the need for gifts any time we visit a friend’s home. Don’t panic. Relax and be creative at the same time.
Spring is a great time to get into gardening projects and taking care of those last-minute gifts for those folks who have most everything. Plants make the perfect gifts for those special friends and relatives. Besides that, puttering in the garden will help lower your blood pressure and give you gift ideas.
To avoid the headaches, enjoy your shopping by being different. Stop by a few of the local nurseries, garden and flower shops. You would be surprised at how many different plants make great gifts. With a little love and care, you can give a gift that really has some meaning. All the foliage plants may be spruced up with bright ribbons and clever cards, but some plants are more in keeping with the special occasion than others. In giving live plants, use your imagination with the containers, decorations and wrapping. You can put a lot of love in this type of gift.
First and foremost, flowers are a natural choice. Hydrangeas are traditional for mom. Most folks think of hydrangeas as a cool climate shrub that does best in Volcano, Kaloko Mauka and Waimea, but they may be grown almost anywhere in Hawaii given enough water and some shade in the warmer lowland areas. Orchids, bromeliads and anthurium varieties are appropriate as well. Then there are hibiscus varieties with flowers from white to red and yellow with every color in between. The many gardenia varieties with white flowers and green leaves on pendulous branches make a fragrant gift. The cinnamon gardenia is my favorite. Another gift that is a natural is the everblooming jatropha. Here’s an ornamental addition to any home landscape. It is ideal with its bright red flowers and dark green foliage. The tree will grow to about 15 feet with spreading branches and is well suited to pot culture or the small garden. Some azaleas and several new tropical rhododendrons are even on the market.
For a cool effect, give the silver buttonwood that will also form a shrub or small tree with blue gray foliage. Another interesting foliage is the snow queen hibiscus with the variegated white and green leaves and red flowers.
Many palms make great gifts. The pygmy date palm gives a tropical look and stays small. There are hundreds of species of palms and these fit well into our Tropical Indo-Pacific landscapes. One of my favorites is the red stemmed sealing wax palm. Other palms include the Manila palm, with its red fruit.
Potted blooming orchid plants, and bromeliads are just a few plants you might consider to use in the home. When their color wanes, place them in your tropical garden.
The fun of giving plants to mom is that you can then plan together on how to best present them in the home or garden. It is a bonding experience for those who prepare and give the gift as well as the mother who receives it. In getting your gifts ready, start with the right container. Wooden tubs are excellent since wood prevents rapid drying out of the soil. Jardinieres usually lack drainage holes, which may cause a watering problem. Clay pots are fine and can be painted to blend with the colors in the home.
Brass and copper are ideal for table and mantle arrangements. But, as these containers are usually small, pay careful attention to supplies of water and fertilizer. Some beautiful large pots created by Mark Kimball, local farmer and artist, are available through several garden centers and nurseries. They are formed of concrete, but some of his creations look like ancient Chinese urns.
When choosing plants, consider the person receiving the gift. Select varieties that will withstand adverse growing conditions, especially if the gift is for a novice. Conditions such as low light intensity, extremes of temperature, and dry air must be considered. Some folks claim to have a brown thumb instead of a green one, but a Sanseveria plant given to one “brown thumber” several years ago is still alive after being placed in a dark corner and watered about once a month. This would be a great gift for your mother-in-law, because it is very slow growing and almost impossible to kill. Though come to think of it, I would think twice before giving it to your wife’s mom, since it is also referred to as mother-in-laws-tongue. It actually does resemble a tongue but it can get up to 2 feet in length.
If you have run out of time, as a last resort you might consider a gift certificate from a local nursery for flowers or plants.
To be satisfactory, plants must do more than merely survive. They must maintain an attractive appearance with a minimum of care.
For problem interiors, check with your local garden center or nursery to help you make the right choice.
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For more information, contact the UHCTAHR Cooperative Extension Service in Hilo, Waimea or Kona.
