Tropical Gardening: Hawaii gardens ideal for bold tropicals

Courtesy of VOLTAIRE MOISE The orange bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) from South Africa will tolerate wind, cold and dry conditions better than most plants in the banana family. The blue and white flowered tree bird of paradise is also quite hardy but gets much taller, up to 15 feet.

Most native Hawaiian plants are not noted for their bold tropical effects. Exceptions are our Hawaiian Cibotium tree ferns, Pritchardia palms, Gunneras, Pandanus, Freycinetia and a few others.