09-03-2006, 12:08 PM
Mella,
You scored lots of points with me! I'm glad that you're thinking this way!
The Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden has some native Hawaiian plants, but it also has introduced crop plants like sugar cane and bananas, so be aware of this. It also focuses on traditional plant usage. They often have a booth at cultural fairs and where they give away cuttings.
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/gre...nwell.html
The next link has other gardens, not nurseries. I don't know if they sell anything. They are interesting but often focus only on exotic (non-native) tropical plants.
http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/hawaiigrdns.html
Surprisingly, the only nursery that I've come across that carries a fair number of native Hawaiian plants, including some endangered species(!), is Home Depot. I once saw that they had one of the Brighamia lobelia sp., an endangered one that you're not likely to find in the wild (Moloka'i and Kaua'i). They have a special arrangement with Federal and State agencies to carry these. And since the Home Depot in Hilo is inside a Coqui Frog area, you will want to take precautions. Their selection varies from time to time, I don't know if there's any logic or schedule for what they carry.
You may do better propagating your own plants. There is at least one good book for growing Hawaiian native species. Also, keep an eye out for classes, e.g., the Volcano Art Center will be having a class on native plant propagation by former HVNP botanist, Tim Tunison, in Oct. You can learn where you can get seeds, cuttings, etc.
The Plant It Hawaii website appears to list only introduced species, no natives. However, not all introduced food crops are considered a problem for the native Hawaiian habitat, but you should research those that you plan to use.
I'm gradually trying to eliminate the German Ivy, Strawberry Guava, Kahili Ginger and Bamboo (I think) Orchid. I'll reduce the amount of lawn and maybe replant more rainforest. I might even try some taro and other edibles.
Les
Edited by - Les C on 09/03/2006 16:15:02
Edited by - Les C on 09/03/2006 16:26:19
You scored lots of points with me! I'm glad that you're thinking this way!
The Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden has some native Hawaiian plants, but it also has introduced crop plants like sugar cane and bananas, so be aware of this. It also focuses on traditional plant usage. They often have a booth at cultural fairs and where they give away cuttings.
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/exhibits/gre...nwell.html
The next link has other gardens, not nurseries. I don't know if they sell anything. They are interesting but often focus only on exotic (non-native) tropical plants.
http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/hawaiigrdns.html
Surprisingly, the only nursery that I've come across that carries a fair number of native Hawaiian plants, including some endangered species(!), is Home Depot. I once saw that they had one of the Brighamia lobelia sp., an endangered one that you're not likely to find in the wild (Moloka'i and Kaua'i). They have a special arrangement with Federal and State agencies to carry these. And since the Home Depot in Hilo is inside a Coqui Frog area, you will want to take precautions. Their selection varies from time to time, I don't know if there's any logic or schedule for what they carry.
You may do better propagating your own plants. There is at least one good book for growing Hawaiian native species. Also, keep an eye out for classes, e.g., the Volcano Art Center will be having a class on native plant propagation by former HVNP botanist, Tim Tunison, in Oct. You can learn where you can get seeds, cuttings, etc.
The Plant It Hawaii website appears to list only introduced species, no natives. However, not all introduced food crops are considered a problem for the native Hawaiian habitat, but you should research those that you plan to use.
I'm gradually trying to eliminate the German Ivy, Strawberry Guava, Kahili Ginger and Bamboo (I think) Orchid. I'll reduce the amount of lawn and maybe replant more rainforest. I might even try some taro and other edibles.
Les
Edited by - Les C on 09/03/2006 16:15:02
Edited by - Les C on 09/03/2006 16:26:19