Every day is Mother’s Day but officially this year, May 14th is Mother’s Day If you forgot any of those favorite women in your life, you are in real trouble! Trying to wrack your brains for just the right last minute gift can be frustrating. Now let us consider some last minute gift ideas. This weekend is a great time to visit garden shops and nurseries to take care of those last minute gifts. Plants make the perfect gifts for those special friends and relatives.
To avoid the headaches, enjoy your shopping by being unique. 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 living plants, use your imagination with the containers, decorations, and wrapping. You can put more love in this type of gift than most other types unless you consider handmade bedspreads, homemade cookies and other delectable edibles. These take time and it’s too late for baking and sewing.
First and foremost, flowers are a natural. Hydrangeas are traditional for moms. 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 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 makes a fragrant gift. The cinnamon, tiare and endemic Hawaiian gardenias are favorites. Some azaleas and several new tropical rhododendrons are even on the market. For this occasion you may not consider carnivorous plants or cacti. These choices may send the wrong message
Potted blooming orchid plants, and bromeliads are just a few plants you might consider to use in the home and when their color wanes, place them in your tropical garden.
The fun of giving plants to mom, sister, daughter and wife 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 special lady who receives it. In getting your gifts ready, start with the right container. Wooden tubs are excellent since wood prevents the soil from rapidly drying out. 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 for a house plant. 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 law’s-tongue. It actually does resemble a tongue but it can get up to two 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 at 808-981-5199 or Kona at 808-322-4893.
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Norman Bezona is professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.