10-09-2012, 03:09 PM
'Ilima is a great choice if you are in a dryer area like lower Puna along coastal flats like HPP Seaview etc., ......or if wetter like upper Puna, planting in straight cinder and restricting the water a bit with cover. Also be sure to get the "papa" type, the very low growing (under 8") type with almost perfectly round graygreen leaves, this papa type is very common along the Kau coast (right along coast in oceanspray zone to 10' elevation...PS natural wild 'Ilima is rare in Puna). Be careful, there are other types of Hawaiian 'Ilima with the same exact binomial name (scientific name ie Sida Fallax) that are not nearly as low growing and are more of a shrub as high as 4' and have a greener color leaf that is pointy like a hibiscus leaf...... (In other words, the round graygreen leaf 'Ilima is the low growing type)... both are sometimes sold at nurseries, but I see the taller form more often. 'Ilima doesnt root at the nodes so each plant has its limits in as far as it will grow. With rooting powder it can be propagated from cuttings but not nearly as easy as the non-native weedy types of ground cover. 'Ilima is in the hibiscus family as you can tell by the flowers, and is the island flower of Oahu. It is also the flower used for the ancient Hawaiian leis that look like a yellow rope (dont know the name) that royalty wore often on top their heads or as a lei...... it took thousand of flowers for one lei. I have about 15-20 'Ilima papa up here in MountainView, but it only does good (surprisingly good) under my eaves in cinder (my sunny side roof eaves extend about 8' out and are well off the ground 12'+), At my place 'Ilima doesnt do well out in the elements or in any kind of water holding soil, Ive tried many times to plant it out in open areas, they always fade and die. Its a coastal or Kona side plant
if you want to stay native and dont want to mix with nonnative.......there other endemic low growing plants to mix in w/'Ilima...
One of my favorites in dryer areas is 'Akia, but again it has to be the low growing form (most of the 12 types of 'Akia are shrubs to trees), the only real low one is from Maui and called "Wikstroemia uva-ursi".... seen often on Kona side in planters and center dividers, attractive graygreen foliage (similar to a manzanita), with bright orange to red berries.
Another native graygreen foliage plant that would compliment 'Ilima and "Akia is called Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia). Pohinahina trails low to ground but not real low, and is another coastal plant, it has purple flowers. The only place Ive seen it on this side is along the Hilo area at end of road near Kings Landing (past 4 mile/Richardsons etc.) park and hike south (towards Shipman Beach) less than 1/2 mile along the coast. Pohinahina works good from cuttings.
PS. these 3 plants above you can NOT walk on, they will break, they are woody plants that last for years. If you want something to walk on the non-native "perennial peanut" aka "hippiegrass" is lower, and you can walk on it, but it roots at nodes and will move.
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
if you want to stay native and dont want to mix with nonnative.......there other endemic low growing plants to mix in w/'Ilima...
One of my favorites in dryer areas is 'Akia, but again it has to be the low growing form (most of the 12 types of 'Akia are shrubs to trees), the only real low one is from Maui and called "Wikstroemia uva-ursi".... seen often on Kona side in planters and center dividers, attractive graygreen foliage (similar to a manzanita), with bright orange to red berries.
Another native graygreen foliage plant that would compliment 'Ilima and "Akia is called Pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia). Pohinahina trails low to ground but not real low, and is another coastal plant, it has purple flowers. The only place Ive seen it on this side is along the Hilo area at end of road near Kings Landing (past 4 mile/Richardsons etc.) park and hike south (towards Shipman Beach) less than 1/2 mile along the coast. Pohinahina works good from cuttings.
PS. these 3 plants above you can NOT walk on, they will break, they are woody plants that last for years. If you want something to walk on the non-native "perennial peanut" aka "hippiegrass" is lower, and you can walk on it, but it roots at nodes and will move.
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha