Throughout the United States, there is a strong movement to landscape with native plants. Some regions are extremely rich in easy-to-grow native plants. ADVERTISING Throughout the United States, there is a strong movement to landscape with native plants. Some regions
Throughout the United States, there is a strong movement to landscape with native plants. Some regions are extremely rich in easy-to-grow native plants.
We recently participated in the International Palm Conference in Miami. It was exciting to see the results of hundreds of millions of dollars spent to landscape parks, roads, airports and coastal beaches with native trees such as mahogany, sea grape, oak, magnolia and many species of indigenous palms, just to mention a few. They are even using mangrove trees in fresh and salt water gardens.
With the emphasis on natives, we did notice the lack of flowering plants such as the Cassia showers and their hybrids, hibiscus, plumeria, Strelitzia, Heliconia and many other flowering plants that brighten up our Hawaiian landscapes.
In Hawaii, we are also using many more natives than in years past, but we have incorporated many flowering plants to add the color that has become part of the local culture. Can you imagine Hawaii without orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums, plumeria and all the rainbow colors of the flowering trees brought here from around the world?
We are somewhat limited in the palette of tough, easy-to-grow natives.
Some of the most difficult areas to reforest are the dry forest zones of our islands such as those of West Hawaii, Ka‘u, Kohala and Puna. These lands have been grazed for decades and now have become rocky grasslands. Great efforts have been made in places such as the new West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. I had driven by the area many times but did not until recently notice the work of hundreds of volunteers planting natives during the last several years.
Most folks are now on the bandwagon of protecting our native plants. However, protecting these valuable resources is easier said than done. One way is to get involved with projects such as the Veterans Cemetery. According to Dr. Stevens, long time advocate for native plants, veterans, students, community groups and interested individuals are continuing the efforts near the cemetery by actually planting a forest. So far, participation from UH-West Hawaii, UH-Hilo, WHEA and other schools, plus kokua from NRCS, Kukio, New Moon Foundation, County of Hawaii, Four Seasons, Pohakuloa Training Area, Ironman and many others is greening this once-barren hill for all to enjoy. The coordinating organization is the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association.
Volunteers will be learning what kinds of natives will actually thrive in this micro environment. The reason location is so important is many native plants have very specific requirements. If you think coconut palms, kukui, bananas, taro and ti are natives and seem to grow easily, then it is time to rethink. These plants are alien species brought to Hawaii by the Polynesians as they migrated across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
For example, our state tree, the kukui, is thought to have originated in what is now Indonesia. Our state tree probably should be the loulu palm because it is definitely not only indigenous but is endemic. The Hawaiian loulu palms actually evolved here and are found growing naturally only in Hawaii. At one time, there could have been many dozens of species, but with the introduction of the Polynesian rats, and pigs, many must have disappeared. Later, the introduction of grazing animals did further damage, so that now there are only remnants of what were vast populations of the loulu.
It is a shame many of these species have declined in number to the point that they are almost extinct. Luckily, folks are now beginning to plant these palms in the landscape. Some palms are being replanted in the national parks and areas such as the state forest reserves.
Kona loulu is one of the species being planted in abundance at the Veterans Cemetery. The Kona loulu is becoming more popular in the landscape. Pritchardia affinis, or P. maideniana, prefers sunny, drier locations but has been grown at elevations as high as 3,000 feet. Another rare loulu is named after George Schattauer, a Kona kamaaina. A few trees are found above Kaohe, Honomalino and Hookena. This species and Pritchardia beccariana from Kulani Prison Road near Volcano are being distributed on the Big Island.
It’s important to the survival of the native species to use them in our gardens. Unfortunately, most nurseries do not carry the native loulu, and seeds of some species are difficult to obtain. Laws set up to protect these beautiful palms make it complicated and confusing to those who want to propagate and distribute endangered species such as the loulu.
However, you may propagate loulu if you can locate seeds. Plant fresh seeds in flats or shallow boxes filled with soil. Cover the seeds with 1 inch of soil. Keep the soil in the flats moist, but not wet. Damping-off fungi are likely to ravage the tiny seedlings if the soil is kept soggy.
Seed flats may be covered with clear plastic to keep in warmth and moisture. This will speed up germination. Be sure to keep seeds and seedlings protected from rats. Germination time of palm seeds varies widely with the species and requires patience. They may not peek out of the ground for several months following planting.
Pot the plants into 1-gallon containers after they have sprouted. A suggested potting mixture is equal parts soil or cinder and rotted compost. Fertilize monthly with a complete fertilizer. When the seedlings are 1-2 feet high, transplant them to 5-gallon containers or plant them in the ground. Loulu palms are well suited for planting in groups, as specimens, or for lining driveways. Young palms require coddling until established, then they thrive with very little attention other than sun, fertilizer and water.
Remember, if folks begin to show interest in native trees such as the loulu, our nurseries can then afford to carry them as part of their regular stock. To do your part in saving our native species, use them as much as possible in your garden.
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
