07-09-2015, 06:19 AM
Justin -- Thanks for the well-researched list. Some of these may be too big for my needs, but others may be just perfect. I currently have a Michelia alba in my tea house garden that I'm pruning and shaping to keep low and horizontal -- an experiment involving weighting the branches with rocks in a Japanese fashion, not quite bonsai, but controlled growth. It is a very pretty glossy bright green and the flowers, though not especially showy, have a fine fragrance. I could see planting another allowing the natural pyramid shape for canopy.
To those who insist on natives -- I understand your point, and would never import a plant illegally, nor plant anything known to be invasive. I have my share of Alexander palms and African tulip trees to deal with, and remove Miconia when I find it. On the other hand, my garden is partly focused on preserving rare and endangered plants that may soon become extinct in their natural habitat, so it's not just about "pretty". All of them are purchased here on the Big Island from specialty nurseries, all legal, and hardly capable of reproducing, let alone taking over your forests. No albizia nightmares will be coming out of my garden.
To those who insist on natives -- I understand your point, and would never import a plant illegally, nor plant anything known to be invasive. I have my share of Alexander palms and African tulip trees to deal with, and remove Miconia when I find it. On the other hand, my garden is partly focused on preserving rare and endangered plants that may soon become extinct in their natural habitat, so it's not just about "pretty". All of them are purchased here on the Big Island from specialty nurseries, all legal, and hardly capable of reproducing, let alone taking over your forests. No albizia nightmares will be coming out of my garden.