Any Native Plants specific Nurseries?

[mella l]

Are there any nurseries that specialize in native plants only? I know this is putting the cart before the horse, but when I arrive! I want to do a great deal of native planting and do not want to have to traipse all over the island asking for such! Any ideas? Mahalo, Mella

mella l

[adias]

Hey Mella,

In case you want some fruit trees.

http://www.plantithawaii.com/



Edited by - adias on 09/03/2006 15:55:28

[Les C]

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

[Hazen]

Mella,

I have a book "Growing Hawaii's Native Plants" by Kerin E. Lilleeng-Rosenberger. It's a 400 page compendium of anything you might want to know (an probably a loooot more). It has big glossy color ID photos, general descritpions, range, habitat, sizes, propagation, cultivations, seed collection and germination techniques, outplanting info, pest info and more. Some have native uses listed. You are welcome to borrow it. I think it runs about $50 at the small bookstore in Hilo near the KTA. I spent so much on it, i would happily see it get your use.

I would think a car, a machete, and a few youths would probably net you quite a trove at a substantial savings. (Free) I know many PunaWebbers could offer you cuttings.

[Lee DeJongh]

Mella
A good, less expensive book is "a Native Hawaiian Garden" University of Hawaii Press
John Culliney and Bruce Koebele 25 dollars 17 at Amazon.

Some perhaps surprising facts. A very great number of what you might think as native plants aren't, ie Coconut palms, bananas, breadfruit, practically anything edible.

Second, until very recently, according to these authors, it was illegal to propagate and plant true native plants. They go into the ecologocal arguments and thoughts behind this perverse policy in this book. very interesting reading and they give propagation tips for the plants, as well as tell you how difficult it is.
Lee

[Lee DeJongh]

quote:

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Mella
A good, less expensive book is "a Native Hawaiian Garden" University of Hawaii Press
John Culliney and Bruce Koebele 25 dollars 17 at Amazon.

Some perhaps surprising facts. A very great number of what you might think as native plants aren't, ie Coconut palms, bananas, breadfruit, practically anything edible.

Second, until very recently, according to these authors, it was illegal to propagate possess and plant endangered or threatened native plants. They go into the ecologocal arguments and thoughts behind this perverse policy in this book. very interesting reading and they give propagation tips for the plants, as well as tell you how difficult it is.
It still is illegal to collect plants, seeds , cuttings etc. from any wild endangered plant without a permit from the DLNR.

It is currently legal to possess an endangered plant only if it comes from cultivated stock.

If you want to GIVE AWAY material from your endangered plant you can but if you want to SELL it you have to have a permit.

You are advised NOT to plant any material back into the wild.

Last, a license from the state is required to collect plants, cuttings, seeds, etc. from NONendangered plants on any state land (PArks,forest reserves)

Lee

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[Carolann R]

Yeah, well in theory that's good, but I'm sure there are lots of people swaping cuttings from their gardens LOL!! If you're the kinda person that has a green thumb and a love of the aina, seems like it would be hard not to share what is so beautiful...whether or not it's legal...most people will see it like "I'm not growing drugs or something," right?

Lee & Les - you two are a wealth of information for this island...the animals as well as plant life are better off for your living there. And I appreciate the facts that you have that steer me in the right direction. Mahalo.



Carrie

"To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater." Bono

http://www.hellophoenix.com/art

[Cindy V]

Aloha and exactly what I'm thinking. Each time we've been there checking on building progress we stay in the area and I walk in the morning and night. I also carry a baggie with me ( a trick my realtor taught me) and I collect seeds that have fallen. When you walk a fragrence will grab you or a color. If you find the plant and look beneath it you will most likely see seeds. I have planted many around the lot in areas that won't be disturbed by the builders. As quick as things grow....

Aloha and happy planting!
Cindy

[Lee DeJongh]

Aloha
I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I,too, trade cuttings and seeds willynily. What I was quoting was the "official" state law on endangered plants and the collection of ANY plant material on STATE property. Private property is different and nonendangered plants are different.

But according to the state, if you are caught transporting endangered plant materials you must have a receipt showing a valid source. otherwise, big bucks. ( of course, what are the odds that anyone outside a dedicated plant freak like us would recognize endangered plants?)

My own personal viewm is that if you can grow it, plant it. If you are going to kill it, admire it from a distance.

Lee

[mella l]

Aloha and Mahalo you all thanks for taking the time to share your resourses and thought with us!

Hazen I'll take you up on the book offer and also look into the others on amazon!

The helpful hints on seed gathering, hey we are hunters gathers right, are super thanks! To share with ones neighbors cuttings, techniques and such is so inspiring to me.

Perhaps this would be a good business for the one with energy to do a native specific nursery, for safe product, for educating about care and propigation, and promoting the aina all in one stop shop!You guys are great! Mella

mella l