The Watersmart Garden: 100 Great Plants for the Tropical Xeriscape 9780824839154

Citation preview

Watersmart Garden

Watersmart Garden 100 Great Plants for the Tropical Xeriscape

Fred D. Rauch and Paul R. Weissich

A Latitude 20 Book

UNIVERSITY of HAWAI‘I PRESS honolulu

© 2014 University of Hawai‘i Press All rights reserved Printed in China 19 18 17 16 15 14

6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Rauch, Fred D. (Fred Donald), author. The watersmart garden : 100 great plants for the tropical xeriscape / Fred D. Rauch and Paul R. Weissich. pages cm “A latitude 20 book.” Includes index. ISBN 978-0-8248-3896-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Drought-tolerant plants—Hawaii. 2. Xeriscaping—Hawaii. I. Weissich, Paul R., author. II. Title. SB439.8.R38 2014 635.9’709969 dc23 2013012435 University of Hawai‘i Press books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Council on Library Resources. Designed by Julie Matsuo-Chun Printed by Regent Publishing Services, Ltd.

Contents vii

Acknowledgments

ix

Introduction

1

Ground Covers

28

Small Shrubs: 2–6 Feet

64

Medium Shrubs: 6–10 Feet

96

Large Shrubs: Over 10 Feet

134

Small Trees: 15–30 Feet

168

Medium Trees: 30–50 Feet

198

Large Trees: Over 50 Feet

203

Vines

62

213

Appendix A: Plant List Organized by Zone

217

Appendix B: Xeriscape Plants for Hedges, Wind Breaks, and Screens

219

Appendix C: Colors for the Xeriscape

225

Appendix D: Xeriscape Plants for the Beach Garden

227

Appendix E: Evapotranspiration

229

Appendix F: Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Project

231

Suggested Reading

233

Index

Acknowledgments The authors are indebted to many individuals and organizations for valuable professional assistance. Space limitations do not permit their individual listing, but we are especially grateful to the Hawai‘i nursery industry, who graciously provided plant photo opportunities. All photos are the work of coauthor Fred D. Rauch with the following exceptions: the Dr. David H. Lorence photo of the inflorescence of Barnebydendron riedelii; coauthor Paul R. Weissich’s photos of the inflorescences of Cassia roxburgii and Hibiscus ovalifolius and the habitat photo of Barnebydendron riedelii; and Robert Webb’s habitat photos of Adenium obesum and A. somalense. We thank Donald R. Hodel for his paper on ET (Evapotranspiration: appendix E). We give special recognition to Moriso Teraoka, who, with staff assistance, created a valuable xeriscape resource in his campus succulent garden at the Kapiolani Community College. The major resource for the xeriscaper is found in the large tropical dryland species collection within the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, part of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens system. We would also like to recognize the tremendous support provided by the staff of the University of Hawai‘i Press, especially our editor, Nadine Little, for her patience and insights that were significantly beneficial to the outcome of this project.

vii

Introduction All gardeners know that plants vary widely in the amount of water necessary to maintain them in top landscape appearance. Ferns, anthuriums, and heliconias, for example, must be heavily and frequently watered, while oleander, adeniums, and aloes require but minimal irrigation. Unhappily, gardenwide sprinkler systems are usually programmed to cater to plants of the highest water need. The result is wasteful and costly, with the least thirsty plants often receiving just as much water as the most thirsty. This problem may readily be solved by adopting the water-saving techniques of xeriscape gardening. The term “xeriscape” was first coined by the Denver, Colorado, Water Department in 1981 and describes a set of remarkably simple actions that can save up to 80 percent of water use. Xeriscape techniques have been widely and successfully used in dry parts of the Pacific Southwest. Despite Hawai‘i’s reputation as a lush paradise, our islands have many hot, dry areas where the ever-increasing cost of water makes the thoughtful use of drought-tolerant plants essential for sustainable gardening. The time has come for Hawai‘i to embrace the watersmart techniques of xeriscaping. While this publication is not a “how-to” guide, it is essential that the xeriscaper have a

ix

This beautiful Diamond Head property has incorporated the zoning principles of xeriscape gardening as well as careful plant selection to reduce water usage by 60 percent. the mechler corporation

basic understanding of its components. This will greatly enhance the ability of the gardener to make the best choices of plants from the lists found in the following text. Appendices provide quick access to plant suggestions for special uses such as color or beach gardens, and suggested readings list publications providing detailed information on how to plan and implement a xeriscape garden. There are five simple steps leading to a successful xeriscape. While the following instructions assume that we have a new residential property in a warm, dry location, these techniques are adaptable to an existing garden space.

x

Introduction

Step One: Plan Water Usage by Zone Allot spaces in your garden: on a plot plan of your property, sketch in several areas. We are electing to have four areas, known as zones. The smallest is Zone 1, which will receive the greatest amount of water to accommodate the plants needing the most: the ferns, heliconias, anthuriums, and other thirsty plants. Each succeeding zone is larger in total area, and each will receive successively less water. The adjacent diagram may assist in understanding this step.

Introduction

xi

Step Two: Prepare Your Site Prepare the entire site by removing all weeds and rocks and other debris, cultivate the soil and add soil amendments if needed, and grade to lessen runoff and prevent erosion. Parallel, low berms running across a slope will slow water movement, reduce erosion, and assist in water infiltration. Ground cover plantings will assume that role with maturity. Shallow water catchment areas can hold downspout and pavement runoff. Soil amendments usually refer to various composted organic materials. Helpful in “opening” nonporous soils such as clay, these organic materials rather quickly break down, releasing valuable nutrients. More compost may be added and will be beneficial.

Step Three: Zone Plan the Sprinkler System Design and install separate sprinkler systems for each zone. Each system is to be programmed to deliver decreasing amounts of water for zones 2, 3, and 4. Most areas will have several excellent firms locally available and capable of designing and installing such automated systems, including the timers (some are solar powered), and a more sophisticated step: soil moisture sensors that shut down the system in the event of rain or high soil moisture. Such sensors add to the basic system cost but pay for themselves in terms of water savings. The entire system can, of course, be hand controlled, but this requires the presence of a knowledgeable operator during the owner’s off-island periods. Sprinkler supply firms are usually willing to teach the gardener how to do the work himself if materials are purchased from that firm. One of the benefits of zoning is that irrigation systems can be installed one at a time as the budget permits, thereby avoiding a high one-time cost. Keep in mind that designing zones in the simplest configuration possible makes sprinkler design and

xii

Introduction

installations easier. Although automated systems are an enormous convenience, it is important to test the system frequently. Your parts/design firm will provide information as to how and when.

how much water is enough water? An important note: there is no practical means of determining beforehand exactly how much water each zone should receive. The question of how much water is enough water is frequently asked. Trial and error is the best answer. Engineers at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply or your local water supply company can give you your meter size, pressure, and gallons per minute delivered, information that will help you to set initial watering amounts. The avid xeriscaper, however, may refer to a professional procedure called ET: evapotranspiration (see appendix E). This is a fairly complicated procedure, not generally advised for the typical home gardener. Your watering plan should take into account the water available through natural rainfall. You can find reliable data on rainfall for Hawai‘i in The Rainfall Atlas of Hawai‘i, published in 2011 by a team composed of the Commission of Water Resource Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ([email protected]). Data provided is an important tool for the landscape industry.

conserving additional water through recycling An interesting program started by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply in 2008 provides a way to conserve even more water and may be considered an extension of the principles of xeriscaping. Called the “Rain Barrel Program”, it simply recommends the collection of rain

Introduction

xiii

water from downspouts. This water may be used for watering potted plants, grassed areas and other non-potable water uses thereby reducing the overall amount of City water usage. For more information on the “how-to” of designing a sprinkler system, please see the suggested readings at the end of this book.

Step Four: Select Your Plantings Look carefully through the recommended list of one hundred great plants for the watersmart garden. Plants are arranged in order of use: ground covers, shrubs, trees, and vines. Plant descriptions and a list of important features aid in the selection process. Keep in mind the size of mature growth and leave plenty of room for your new xeriscape to grow. Overplanting is wasteful and costly. A take-it-slow approach will yield better results. Give careful thought to what you want from your garden. Remember that turf grasses are excessive water users and should be limited as much as possible. Maybe paving is a substitute. Do you want color? Look to the handy color note provided with each plant description or to appendix C for some great color ideas. Will it be a childrens’ play space? Any hazards, such as thorns or poisonous plants, are noted in the plant descriptions to help you to plan a safe and fun garden.

Step Five: Maintain the Garden Weeding, fertilizing, pruning, mulch addition, regular testing of irrigation systems, insect control, and replacement of species not thriving with those that may be more adaptable to any particular zone will keep the xeriscape in top condition. Regular maintenance is an integral part of the success of any landscape. Mulch is an essential tool for good maintenance of the xeriscape garden. There are

xiv

Introduction

Large stone pavers and pebbles reduce the water-thirsty lawn area in this Diamond Head garden. the mechler corporation

Introduction

xv

two basic types of mulch: inorganic (cinders and gravel) and organic (wood chip and bark products). The authors, by far, recommend organic mulch. Two to three inches of mulch, renewed occasionally, will absorb water, increase water infiltration, maintain soil coolness and reduce water loss, significantly lessen erosion, and ultimately the mulch will break down and increase soil fertility. Inorganic mulch made of gravel and cinders, in our view, produces an unwelcome dry “xeric” look. Such mulches may become very hot in full sun, increase water loss, and do not enrich the soil. The most important part of any garden is the creation of a carefully thought-out plan. Decide. Stick to it. Piecemeal plantings can be made if you have a plan. With a plan, costs can be spread over a period of time. As you place new plants in the garden, some hand watering may be necessary until the entire zone is planted and under automated irrigation. To help you plan and implement your watersmart garden, you will find zoned suggestions for hedges, beach plantings, windbreaks, and color in the appendices at the end of this book.

Converting an Already Existing Garden to Xeriscape If the homeowner has a mature garden and wishes to convert it to a xeriscape, the same basic steps noted above may be used. The major difference is in placing on the plot plan the location of existing plants, determining their probable zones, and if possible, shaping zones to accommodate those plants the gardener wishes to keep. You may plan to relocate treasured plants to accommodate the zone layout, but transplanting is labor intensive and results are not always successful. Unless a plant has some very special meaning for the owner and family, transplanting should be avoided. The purchase of new nursery stock is far less expensive, and young, vigorous stock is more likely to succeed.

xvi

Introduction

This colorful garden makes excellent use of watersmart plant choices and natural stone for an appealing curbside garden. fred rauch

Understanding and Avoiding Invasive Species All gardeners should be aware of any invasive tendencies in the plants in their gardens. To help you avoid using these risky imports, plant lists in this book are in conformity with the Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) Project, a joint project of the University of Hawai‘i, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and

Introduction

xvii

Wildlife, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Plants currently under evaluation as potentially invasive are marked in the text as “H(HPWRA)” and “(Evaluate).” Their final status has yet to be determined, but they may be used in the xeriscape garden with caution. See appendix F. Similar restrictions published by the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii (LICH) have also been incorporated in the text.

Garden Safety Plants produce a wide range of chemical substances as well as physical properties that must be considered in selecting landscape plants. Some have thorns, irritating hairs, and toxins. Even fragrance can produce allergic reactions in some people. We are not recommending their nonuse but rather awareness of those properties. We teach our children to avoid touching a hot stove, looking both ways before crossing a street, and not to pick up an angry cat. They can be taught not to touch, pick, smell, chew, or ingest an unknown plant or plant part. The following text indicates several excellent xeriscape species known to cause problems. They are marked with (T) following the common name for species having thorns or spines; (S) for species possibly containing irritants for the mouth, skin, or eyes; (P) for species with toxic sap, leaves, flowers, or fruit. A (+) indicates species deserving special care in handling.

xviii

Introduction

ground covers

g r o u n d cov e r s

Creeping Aeollanthus Aeollanthus repens

Spreading rather rapidly and rooting as it spreads, this tropical African plant • Color notes: Silver-gray foliage and blue-violet flowers • Full sun

will mound up to 12 inches in height. Its silvery-gray foliage is a good color contrast for plants with dark green foliage. Its flowers are blue-violet in color and are carried on vertical spikes several inches above the foliage. One reference indicates the possibility of an unattractive flower odor, but this has not been demonstrated locally. Give it a well-drained soil and full sun. It is wind, heat, and drought tolerant and might be tried in beach gardens. It is an ex-

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

2

cellent ground and bank cover to combat erosion.

g r o u n d cov e r s

Inch Plant Callisia repens

Quickly forming a dense mat 2–3 inches in depth, this tropical American • Good for erosion control • Color notes: Cheerful green foliage • Full sun

species makes an excellent ground cover, spreading to about 2 feet and rooting as it spreads. Use it also for an erosion control plant for slopes and in the rockery. It is drought, heat, and wind tolerant and thrives best in an open soil in full sun. The photo was taken of naturalized plants growing on a steep road cut, solid rock, facing afternoon sun in a dry location. It also thrives in moist areas.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Commelinaceae (Dayflower Family)

4

g r o u n d cov e r s

Somali Creeping Dayflower Cyanotis somaliensis

Forming a dense mat to 3 inches deep and • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Pale violet flowers • Full sun

a foot or so across, this useful ground cover also provides effective erosion control. It roots down as it spreads. Its small flowers are a pale violet and are held well above the unusual foliage. Plants in cultivation are close to but possibly not conspecific with those in the wild that are found in Kenya,

• ZONE 4 very low water use

Somalia, and Yemen. In any event, it is a

• Commelinaceae (Dayflower Family)

well-drained soil and a place in full sun. It is

6

valuable plant for the dry garden. Provide a wind, heat, and drought tolerant.

7

g r o u n d cov e r s

Gaillardia, Blanket Flower Gaillardia x grandiflora

Native to the central states, this American native is adaptable to the tropical • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Highly colorful flowers ranging from orange with a yellow tip through a deep burgundy red • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

8

xeriscape. It will grow to 2 feet in height, forming dense clumps. Many cultivars have been developed, showing flowers varying in color from orange with a yellow tip through burgundy red. There are semidwarf forms. All of them are highly colorful, tough, and salt tolerant and have been known to naturalize in onshore wind coastal beaches. It is moderately drought tolerant and very tolerant of heat and wind and poor soils. It must have full sun, good drainage, and will not live long in wet situations. Gaillardias are an excellent color accent, border plant, or a subject for a difficult, hot spot in the xeriscape.

Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Goblin’

Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Fanfare’

9

g r o u n d cov e r s

Koali Ipomoea cairica

Koali, although a vine, is used most frequently as a ground cover, so it is • Hawaiian Heritage Plant • Color notes: White flowers nestled amongst green foliage • Full sun

included here. It is found throughout in both dry and wet areas and on dry beaches near sea level and up to 2,000 feet elevation. Koali is native to tropical Africa and Asia and may be a Polynesian introduction. It makes an excellent ground or bank cover a few inches deep but wide spreading. As figured, koali may also be used to cover an arbor. Plant it in full sun in any well-drained soil. In old Hawai‘i, a lei of koali was worn during the ceremony and celebration marking the successful completion of a section of an irrigation system.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory Family)

10

g r o u n d cov e r s

Po ¯ huehue, Beach Morning GloryP Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis

A useful vine, po¯huehue is included among the ground covers as it is exclu• Good for the Beach Garden • Color notes: Lovely lavender flowers with a deeper violet center stand out against brilliant green foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory Family) • P Toxic

12

sively used for that purpose. It is pantropical. Po¯huehuee is found on beaches and sand dunes down to the water’s edge, but it may also be grown inland. Although only a few inches in height, it is very wide spreading, rooting at the nodes. It is salt, heat, and wind tolerant but only moderately drought tolerant.

g r o u n d cov e r s

Flower Dust Plant Kalanchoe pumila

Growing to only 3 inches in height, this • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Unusual lavender-gray foliage with small, bright, pink-lavender flowers • Full sun

Madagascan ground cover spreads, rooting as it does. Its foliage is an unusual lavender-gray in color. Flowers are lavender. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant and can be a colorful accent in the xeriscape. Plant it in full sun in a welldrained soil. Use it in the rockery, in the border, as a bank cover for erosion control, or along a wall top. It will cascade.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

14

15

g r o u n d cov e r s

Cuban Oregano, Spanish Thyme Plectranthus amboinicus

Possibly native to India, this spreading ground cover is now found through• Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Multicolored foliage with small white or pale lavender flowers

out the tropics. It is prized for the aroma and flavor of its foliage, which is used in cooking. In India and Southeast Asia it has medicinal uses. Growing to 2 feet in height, it makes an excellent, deep ground cover. Plant it in full sun. It is heat and wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. P. amboinicus ‘Variegata’ carries green and white leaves, while an unnamed variation shows reddish leaf margins and another displays a light green “splotch” in the center of the leaf. All show small whitish to pale lavender flowers. All are aromatic.

• Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegata’

16

Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegata’

17

g r o u n d cov e r s

Creeping Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’

This is a creeping form of the common rosemary. It will reach 2 feet in • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Green foliage with small, bright blue flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

18

height with an 8-foot spread. It is useful as a ground or bank cover, in a rockery, cascading over a low wall, and for its bright blue flowers and fragrance. A well-drained soil in a sunny location produces best gardening results.

19

g r o u n d cov e r s

French Marigold Tagetes patula A strange common name, as this annual species is native from Mexico and

• Good for the butterfly garden • Color notes: Exceptionally varied colors including yellow, golden, orange, almost red, and bicolored flowers. • Full sun

Guatemala. It grows to 18 inches in height, bearing an abundance of flowers variously colored yellow, golden, orange, orange-brown to almost red, and bicolors. Both double and single flowers are available. It is a very popular bedding, border, and color accent plant. Plant it in a well-drained soil in full sun. This species will not tolerate shade or wet sites. It is wind and heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It is the source of an essential oil used in perfumery. The plant is currently being researched for suspected antifungal qualities. Deadheading will lengthen the period of flowering. The flowers attract butterflies. The French marigold is included in the xeriscape palette due to its significant color.

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

20

21

g r o u n d cov e r s

Oyster Plant, Moses in the Cradle Tradescantia spathacea

Reaching 2 feet in height, this tropical American succulent shows moderate • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Many color varieties, including green and yellow stripes and green, pink, and yellow stripes; colors are more brilliant when grown in full sun

tolerance to drought and is wind and heat tolerant. It is rapid growing given good, well-drained soil. It will grow in light shade, but its color is enhanced by full sun. There are also varieties with solid green and yellow stripes, T. spathacea ‘Variegata,’ as well as T. spathacea ‘Tricolor’ with green, pink, and yellow stripes, and T. spathacea ‘Compacta Tricolor,’ a compact form. More commonly grown is its dwarf form listed as T. spathacea ‘Dwarf.’ It reaches 8 inches in height. All make good bank and ground covers, colorful borders, or potted specimens.

• Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3 low water use • H(HPWRA) • Commelinaceae (Dayflower Family)

Tradescantia spathacea ‘Dwarf’

22

Tradescantia spathacea ‘Variegata’

‘Dwarf’ flower

Tradescantia spathacea ‘Compacta Tricolor’

23

g r o u n d cov e r s

Beach Zinnia Zinnia palmeri

Forming a compact shrub to 2 feet in height with equal spread, this Mexican • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Good for the butterfly garden • Color notes: Bright yellow flowers bloom year-round, delightful as an accent against dark-foliaged plants • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

24

annual, previously thought to be Zinnia maritima, is prized for its many landscape qualities: it tolerates salt, wind, heat, and drought. It will thrive in beach sands or inland in any well-drained soil. It is rapid growing. Its small but abundant, bright golden-yellow flowers appear all year. They last a week as cut flowers and are valuable in lei haku. It reseeds itself. Use it as a ground cover, bank cover, in a color border, or as an accent among dark green or grey foliage plants. It thrives even in a 10-inch pot and provides a bright color accent for the full sun lanai or deck. It attracts butterflies.

25

shrubs

27

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Summer Impala LilyP Adenium swazicum

Native to the east coast of South Africa, Swaziland, and north to • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Lovely, light gray-green foliage with flowers varying from rose to pink, carmine, or lavender • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic sap

28

Mozambique, this many-branched adenium will reach 6 feet in height. Its branches are supple, in some clones with a “weeping” habit, in others erect. Foliage is an attractive, light gray-green that enhances the color of its flowers, which may vary from rose to pink, carmine, or raspberry-lavender. It is drought, heat, wind, and salt tolerant. Plant it in full, hot sun in a very well-drained soil. It is a moderate grower. Use it as a strong color accent. The weeping clones are especially valuable in a rockery or as a potted specimen on a sunny deck. Be wary of the sap, which is toxic.

29

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

African Lily Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis

Reaching 4 feet in height with an equal spread, the African lily produces • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Flowers from dark purple-blue to light blue and white • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • H(HPWRA) • African Lily Liliaceae (Lily Family)

30

flowers in spring ranging from dark, purplish-blue to blue and light blue and white. There are dwarf cultivars reaching only 12 inches in height. All produce good cut flowers and can be used to make leis. It is heat tolerant, salt and wind tolerant, and is moderately drought tolerant. Plant it in any welldrained soil, even sand, in full sun. It is a useful border or bedding plant.

31

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Thai Dwarf AllamandaP Allamanda cathartica ‘Thai Dwarf’

A useful cultivar growing to 3 feet in height, this plant is bushy, bearing • Color notes: Light gray-green foliage with bright yellow flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • H(HPWRA) • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic Sap

32

light gray-green foliage and small bright yellow flowers. There is also a variety with medium green leaves. It must have full sun and a well-drained soil. Use it as a deep ground or bank cover, as a border or low hedge, or as a single specimen providing a colorful accent. It is heat, wind, and moderately drought tolerant.

33

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Temple Fire Bougainvillea Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’

Used as a shrubby ground or bank cover or as a color accent, this cultivar will • Color notes: Spectacular abundant fuchsia or purple flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Nyctaginaceae (Four O’Clock Family)

34

reach 4 feet in height. It shows moderate tolerance to drought and salt, with good tolerance to heat and wind. A similar dwarf Bougainvillea is B. ‘Menehune’, which produces pale purple bracts. Both make a good border or low hedge. Plant both in full sun.

Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’

Bougainvillea ‘Menehune’

35

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Prostrate Carissa Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’

Small, dark green, dense foliage are attractive qualities of this form of the • Color notes: Dark green, dense foliage makes a dramatic background for lightfoliaged plants nearby • Full sun

common carissa. It grows to 2 feet in height, forming a dense ground cover dramatizing light-foliaged plants above, a bank cover, or in the rockery. Two similar cultivars, ‘Tutleyi’ and ‘Tomlinson’, reaching 2 feet in height, provide similar uses in the xeriscape. Other carissa dwarfs include ‘Green Carpet’ and ‘Boxwood Beauty’, which are prostrate, growing to 3 feet in depth. They occasionally throw a vertical shoot, which must be removed. All make excellent ground covers or bank covers. There are also variegated forms. These all have good heat, drought, and wind tolerance and considerable tolerance to salt

• ZONE 3 low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

36

air. They are happy in any well-drained soil in full sun.

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Variegata’

37

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Madagascar Periwinkle P Catharanthus roseus

This Madagascan shrub will reach 2 feet in height. The species bears dull, • Color notes: White, red, rose-pink, and purple flowers • Full sun to partial shade

• ZONE 3 low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic

38

rose-colored flowers all year. Modem hybrids, however, have been developed, ranging in color from pure white, red, and rose-pink to purple and are very popular as a bedding plant, ground cover, or border. It provides good color in the xeriscape all year. It displays good heat, wind, drought, and salt tolerance. Its sap has been medically exploited to combat certain kinds of cancer.

39

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Large Jade Plant, Jade Plant, Jade Tree Crassula ovata

Although reaching 12 feet in height in its native South Africa, the large • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden (smallleaved forms)

jade plant is usually seen growing to 6 feet in height in local gardens. It grows rather slowly, developing a dense shrub that is tolerant of wind, heat, drought, and salt. Its foliage is succulent. Many forms have been developed, including those with elongated leaves and foliage of blue-green and reddish color. There are a number of beautiful cultivars, including ‘Grey Bark’,

• Color notes: Jade, bluegreen, and reddish succulent foliage

‘Obliqua’, ‘Obliqua Variegata’, ‘Pink Puff’, and ‘Tricolor’. Another, Crassula

• Full sun to very light shade

as color accents in the xeriscape. Small-leaved forms have been used by the

ovata ‘Compacta’, known as ‘Mini Jade’, grows only to 3 feet in height, carrying small, rounded leaves. Use the jade plants for low borders or hedges or lei maker. There are many members of the Crassulaceae family. Space limitation does not permit their inclusion here.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

40

Crassula ovata ‘Grey Bark’

41

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Spider Lily, Giant Lily, Poison Bulb P Crinum asiaticum

An evergreen plant from Southeast Asia, this species forms a dense clump • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Foliage and fruit may be tinged with purple, leaves striped with white • Flowers, fruit, and foliage are used in arrangements • Full sun to partial shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Liliaceae (Lily Family) • P Toxic Fruit

42

reaching 5 feet in height with an 8-foot spread. It produces large clusters of fragrant flowers much of the year. There are forms with foliage and fruit tinged with purple and one with leaves striped with white. The spider lily is at its best in full sun in a well-drained soil and is heat, wind, and salt tolerant but only moderately drought tolerant. Flowers, foliage, and fruit are used in arrangements. It is useful in the xeriscape as an accent, where its rosette of large leaves is contrasted with a fine-foliaged, dark green ground cover. It is useful in the border or in a mass planting. The fruits are toxic and should be kept away from children.

43

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Cigar Flower, Firecraker Plant, Pua Kı¯ka ¯ Cuphea ignea

This is an evergreen Mexican shrub reaching 3 feet in height with an equal • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Evergreen foliage with colorful, elongated red-orange flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Lythraceae (Crape Myrtle Family)

44

spread. It is rather slow growing and spreading. It is best when given full sun and a good, well-drained soil. It is moderately drought and wind tolerant but shows no tolerance to salt. In the xeriscape, it makes a good shrubby ground or bank cover, bedding plant, and a very good color accent. Several color forms are available. Plant it where its colorful flowers are accessible to the lei maker.

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Rock’s Hibiscus Hibiscus ovalifolius

Collected by Dr. Joseph Rock on Kaua‘i in 1913, this tough hibiscus was • Color notes: Large yellow blossoms against an evergreen foliage • Full sun

known as Hibiscus rockii until recent research indicated its origin as tropical Africa to South Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarenes. In any event, it is a useful plant for the xeriscape. Growing up to 4 feet in height, it spreads to form an evergreen, shrubby cover producing large yellow blossoms most of the year. It is drought, heat, and wind tolerant and moderately tolerant of salt. Plant it in full sun in a good, well-drained soil. Use it as a colorful ground or bank cover or a low hedge.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Malvaceae (Hibiscus Family)

46

47

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

LantanaP, T Lantana camara modern hybrids and cultivars

The wild type, or species lantana, is considered one of Hawai‘i’s worst • Good for the beach garden • Good for a lanai garden • Color notes: Many color varieties, ranging from white to orange and red, with spectacular bicolors • Full sun

invasive species, readily naturalizing in hot, dry areas statewide, thereby destroying valuable pasture and grazing lands. Biological controls, however, have gone a long way toward almost eliminating these populations. Modern cultivars and hybrids appear not to present an invasive problem. They rarely fruit, and the biological controls are still at work. These lantanas are extremely valuable in the xeriscape. They are heat, wind, drought and quite salt tolerant. They thrive in poor soils or sand as long as good drainage and full sun are provided. They present a wealth of color, ranging from white to orange and red, with vibrant bicolors. All are valuable color accents in the xeriscape and may be used as bushy ground covers, borders, and in planters or containerized specimens for the sunny lanai. They will grow moderately rapidly to 2–4 feet in height. All parts of the plant are considered toxic.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Malvaceae (Hibiscus Family) • P Toxic • T Thorns or spines

48

‘Confetti’

49

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Creeping Naio Myoporum sandwicense

Botanically the same as the native Hawaiian tree naio (it is listed under • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Medium green foliage with small white and lavender flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Myoporaceae (Myoporum Family)

50

“Small Trees”), this decumbent form is a wide-spreading ground cover that may attain 2 to 3 feet in height. Its foliage is a medium green. Flowers are small. Creeping naio is wind, drought, and salt tolerant and makes an excellent ground cover or bank cover in the xeriscape and the beach garden. Give it full sun and a well-drained soil.

51

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Dwarf Olive Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’

This is a wonderful dwarf form of the common olive. It carries the typical • Good for the night garden • Color notes: Dense, dark green to silver foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Oleaceae (Olive Family)

52

silvery-green olive foliage but grows only to 6 feet in height with an equal spread. It does not flower. It tolerates poor soil, drought, heat, and wind but must have good drainage. Its dense foliage makes it an ideal subject for producing a hedge, low windbreak or screen, or a bright accent among dark green foliage or in the night garden with uplighting. It withstands clipping but works best when left in its natural form. It is a moderate grower.

53

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’

A dwarf form of the common Japanese pittosporum, this tough plant will • Color notes: Glossy, bright green foliage • Full sun to light shade

form a dense mound of foliage to 3 feet in height with at least an equal spread. It grows best in full sun but will perform satisfactorily in light shade. It is not particular as to soil as long as it is well drained but does not do well in sand. It has good salt and wind tolerance and moderate drought tolerance. It makes a good ground or bank cover or border.

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Evaluate • Pittosporaceae (Pittosporum Family)

54

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Petite Pink Plumeria, Dwarf Singapore Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’

Hybrid plumerias, probably complex P. obtusa/P. rubra crosses and selections, • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Delightful pink, white, or yellow flowers • Full sun

have produced at least three available dwarf forms with fragrant blossoms. Among these is ‘Petite Pink’, a small-flowered, attractive pink. Of two others without published names, one has white and the other yellow flowers. All three slowly form dense mounds of foliage up to 6 feet in height and spread. Flowering is quite profuse. All three are evergreen. Full sun, a well-drained soil, and space to spread are essentials. They are only moderately drought resistant but both heat and wind tolerant. Use as a border, low hedge, in the rockery, or as a color accent in a small space.

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Evaluate • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’

56

57

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

Originating in sunny, dry areas of the Mediterranean, this excellent species • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Green foliage with bright blue flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

58

has been cultivated since ancient times. Reaching 6 feet in height, all parts of the plant are used: its fragrant leaves are used in cooking and flowers are processed to obtain an oil used in cosmetics. It is heat, wind, drought, and salt tolerant, finding use in the xeriscape as a low hedge or screen. Its beautiful blue flowers provide a color accent.

59

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

Beach Vitex, Kolokolo Kahakai Vitex rotundifolia

Native to coastal areas of Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific and Indian • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Bright lavender-purple flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

60

Oceans, this is an excellent choice for beach gardens with onshore winds. It shows excellent tolerance of salt, heat, wind, and drought. It grows to 2 feet in height at the beach, but under cultivation it may reach 4 feet in height. Provide a site in full sun and a well-drained soil, even pure sand. The foliage is pleasantly aromatic. Both foliage and flowers are used by the lei maker.

sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t

¯ kia ‘A Wikstroemia uva-ursi

An endemic Hawaiian species forming a dense shrub to 3 feet in height • Hawaiian heritage plant • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Graygreen foliage with red fruit and yellow flowers • Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3 low water use • Thymeleaceae ¯ kia Family) (‘A

62

and with an equal spread, this tough plant grows well in a variety of welldrained soils. It prefers full sun but will perform satisfactorily in light shade. Its gray-green foliage, small spherical red fruit, and clusters of yellow flowers are used by the lei maker. It is wind, heat, salt, and drought tolerant and makes a fine bank or ground cover or used as a color accent for its fruit and for its foliage above low, dark green foliage.

63

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Sabi Star, Impala LilyP Adenium multiflorum Growing up to 10 feet in height, this floriferous succulent from the east

• Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Abundant red and white flowers are a strong accent in the garden • Full sun

coast of South Africa north to Mozambique and neighboring countries to the west provides masses of fragrant red and white flowers. Plants with pure white flowers are known. Petals are pointed. The central white portion of the flower is strongly star shaped. It requires very well-drained soils. Plant it in full hot sun. Like its other Adenium relatives, it is heat, wind, salt, and drought tolerant. It finds excellent use as a strong color accent in the xeriscape. Sabi star is deciduous, flowering for five months during cool weather when leafless. It produces an amazing splash of color and provides a seasonal change in the landscape. Its sap is toxic.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic

64

65

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Desert Rose P Adenium obesum

Growing to 10 feet in height (one reference indicates 12 feet), this succulent • Good for the beach garden • Good for the lanai garden • Color notes: Abundant flowers vary from red to reddish-pink and to white • Full sun

plant provides a wonderful display of color in the xeriscape. Its abundant flowers vary in color from red to reddish-pink, pink, and to white. It develops many trunks and branches from a broad, water-storing base. Flowers are borne abundantly on branch tips. The desert rose has become an extremely popular potted plant worldwide since it will tolerate considerable abuse but not cold. It is native to the broad area south of the Sahara from Senegal and Sudan to East Africa. It is drought, heat, wind, and salt air tolerant. A great number of named hybrids are on the market, which greatly adds to the available color range. It is probably the most colorful plant available for the very dry garden. Plant it in full sun in a very well-drained soil. Use it as a strong color accent in a low planting, as a tubbed accent for the terrace garden, or as

• ZONE 4 very low water use

a border or hedge. It is especially attractive in the rock garden. Use caution in

• Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

used to treat scorpion and snake bites.

• P Toxic

66

handling: its sap is toxic but has medicinal uses. In its native areas, the sap is

67

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Somalia Desert Rose P Adenium somalense

A rather rapid grower, this Adenium produces a small tree reaching 10 feet • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Pink to deep red flowers • Full sun

in height (one reference indicates 15 feet in height). Native to very hot, dry areas of Somalia and south through the rift to Kenya and Tanzania, it provides another valuable plant for the xeriscape. Its flowers are smaller than other Adeniums, rarely exceeding 2 inches across, and varying in color from pink to deep red. Plant it in full sun in a good, well-drained soil. It is heat, drought, wind, and salt tolerant. Use this desert rose as a tall color accent or as a screen. Handle with care, as with other Adeniums, its sap is toxic. In

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic

68

selecting plants, be certain that your purchase is from northwestern Kenya or Somalia to avoid planting a more shrubby variation native to its southern range. A new, highly attractive form recently discovered in Somalia grows to 15 feet in height with very narrow leaves and a spreading canopy. It is equally valuable in the xeriscape.

Adenium somalense var. nova

69

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Dragon Tree Agave, Swan’s Neck Agave Agave attenuata

A native of tropical Mexico, this agave develops a rosette of succulent, gray• Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Graygreen succulent leaves and greenish-white flowers along a long, slender stem • Full sun

green, spineless leaves to 2.5 feet long carried on a trunk that may reach 5 feet in height. In summer a long, slender, curving stem up to 10 feet in height rises from the heart of the plant bearing hundreds of greenish-white flowers. The base of the plants throws many small offsets, which are used in arrangements. Give it full sun and a well-drained soil, but it is tolerant of poor soils as well as drought, salt, and wind. It is also fire resistant. In the xeriscape, it offers a bright accent. A variegated form, A. attenuata ‘Variegata’, is available. It carries its bold leaves striped in yellow. There are many agave species available to the xeriscaper, almost all of them with sharp spines at leaf tips and along the sides of leaves. Agave attenuata is unique.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Agavaceae (Agave Family)

70

Agave attenuata ‘Variegata’

71

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Glory Bower, Sorcerer’s Bush Clerodendrum inerme

This remarkable shrub is native to the broad area from tropical Asia east• Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Abundant small, white flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

72

ward to islands of the tropical Pacific. It associates with mangroves and will tolerate tidal flooding. Its abundant small, white flowers are fragrant. It is extremely heat, drought, wind, and salt tolerant. It grows to 10 feet in height and can be used as a dense bank cover or sand binder. It can be clipped into a hedge. Like many Clerodendrums, however, it tends to sucker and is aggressive. Plant it where its spread can be contained. In its native areas, it has many medicinal uses.

73

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Galphimia, Spray of Gold, Rain of Gold Galphimia gracilis

Reaching 9 feet in height, this evergreen species from Mexico and Central • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Yearround golden yellow flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Malpighiaceae (Malpighia Family)

74

America produces its fragrant, yellow flowers throughout the year. It performs best when planted in full sun in a well-drained soil. It has moderate drought tolerance but poor salt tolerance. Use it as a colorful hedge or screen or as a background for lower contrasting colorful species.

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Velvet Leaf, Felt Bush Kalanchoe beharensis

Reaching 10 feet in height with at least an equal spread, this tough Mada• Good for the beach garden • Good for the night garden • Color notes: Velvety gray-green foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

76

gascan succulent shrub is a valuable candidate for the xeriscape. It has good heat, drought, wind, and salt tolerance. Use it as a striking accent where its rich color and velvety texture may be enjoyed, or as a hedge, windbreak, or in the rockery. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is a rather slow grower. It is good for the night garden.

Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Fang’

77

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Texas Ranger Leucophyllum frutescens

Native to arid areas of Texas and Mexico, this tough species may reach 10 • Good for the beach garden • Good for the night garden • Color notes: Purplishpink flowers with green or silvery foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon Family)

78

feet in height. It is slow growing, forming a compact shrub in full sun in a well-drained soil. It flowers abundantly in summer. There are several named forms with different flower colors and more silvery foliage. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant. Use it as a hedge or screen either clipped or pruned to natural shapes. Its flowers and foliage qualify it as a color accent. It is good for the night garden and forms a spectacular, bright accent when lighted.

Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Silver Cloud’

Leucophyllum frutescens ‘White Cloud’

79

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Dwarf Oleander P Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’

There are several dwarf oleanders growing to 10 feet in height and bearing • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Lovely varied colors, including red, apricot, peach, and salmon • Full sun

small flowers and foliage. ‘Dwarf Peach’ displays peach-colored flowers, ‘Little Red’ shows red flowers, while ‘Apricot Form’ and ‘Petite Salmon’ bear, respectively, apricot and salmon-colored blooms. They are heat and wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant and are well used in the xeriscape as hedges, windbreaks, massed color accents, or individual color accents. They will tolerate salt air but not direct exposure to onshore winds. Flowers are borne on new growth. Spent stems should be cut back to the ground, although one reference recommends pulling off old canes rather than cutting. Its white sap may cause skin irritation. Immediately wash it off if contacted.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic sap

80

Provide full sun and a well-drained soil for optimal results.

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Variegated Japanese Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’

Growing to 10 feet in height, this plant produces a dense shrub that has • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Dense green foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Evaluate (HPWRA) • Pittosporaceae (Pittosporum Family)

82

moderate tolerance of drought and salt and good tolerance of wind. It prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. It can be used as an accent specimen, as a hedge or windbreak, and can be used in arrangements.

83

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Blue Plumbago, Cape Plumbago, Cape Leadwort Plumbago auriculata

Forming a dense, spreading mound 6 feet in height, this species provides • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Beautiful blue flowers; white and dark blue forms also available

excellent color in the xeriscape. It flowers heavily most of the year. Flower color is a sky blue. There is a white-flowered form as well as a dark blue form, ‘Midnight Blue’. They are used to make leis. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil. It has moderate salt and wind tolerance and good heat and drought tolerance. Use it as a colorful bank cover, a color accent, or as a low hedge.

• Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Plumbaginaceae (Plumbago Family)

Plumbago auriculata ‘Midnight Blue’

84

Plumbago auriculata ‘Alba’

85

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

False Eranthemum Pseuderanthemum carruthersii

Three varieties of this shrub are popular in Hawaiian gardens: • Good for the beach garden

Purple false eranthemum (P. carruthersii var. atropurpureum) grows to 10 feet in height, producing foliage irregularly variegated in dark purple, graygreen, and pink. Flowers are rose-purple. Foliage color is best when grown in

• Color notes: A rainbow plant with multiple varieties having purple, pink, yellow, or green foliage; flowers may be rose-pink or white with purple dots, depending on variety

6 feet in height, with bright yellow new foliage turning medium green upon

• Full sun to light shade

feet in height bearing dark green foliage irregularly variegated with gray-green

full sun, although it does satisfactorily in light shade. Yellow-veined false eranthemum (P. carruthersii var. reticulatum) grows to maturing. Leaves are “netted” with yellow veins. Flowers are white, dotted with purple. It fares best in light shade. Variegated false eranthemum (P. carruthersii var. variegatum) grows to 8 and yellow. Flowers are white, dotted with purple. It grows best in full sun. All grow best in a moist soil and show moderate tolerance to drought and

• ZONE 2 moderate water use

salt. They provide high color and may be used as low hedges, screens, or borders or as strong color statements. They are native to the southwestern Pacific.

• Acanthaceae (Acanth Family)

Pseuderantherum carruthersii var.atropurpureum

86

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. atropurpureum

Pseuderantherum carruthersii var.variegatum

Pseuderantherum carruthersii var.reticulatum

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. variegatum

87

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Indian Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica

Native to southern China, this spreading evergreen shrub will reach 6 feet • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Glossy evergreen foliage with small, pinkish-white flowers • Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3 low water use • Rosaceae (Rose Family)

88

in height. Use it as a tall bank or ground cover or informal hedge. Plant it in full sun or light shade in a well-drained soil. It has moderate drought and salt tolerance and good wind tolerance. Flowers, fruit, and foliage are used in arrangements.

89

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Rondeletia Rondeletia odorata

In spite of its Latin name, this shrub from Cuba and Panama does not bear • Color notes: Delightful masses of orange and red blossoms • Full sun

fragrant flowers but earns its landscape kudos with masses of orange and red blossoms. Usually seen as a shrub 6 feet in height, it may under ideal conditions reach 10 feet in height. It thrives in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It makes a wonderful color accent either as a specimen or used in a hedge or low screen.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Rubiaceae (Coffee Family)

90

91

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Beach Naupaka, Naupaka, Naupaka Kahakai Scaevola taccada

Growing to 10 feet in height with an equal spread, this species is native to • Native Hawaiian plant • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Small, white flowers against glossy green foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Goodeniaceae (Naupaka Family)

92

Hawaiian coastal areas as well as throughout the tropical Pacific. It thrives in pure sand or soil, even in hard mudflow rock in areas with strong onshore winds, as well as leeward sites. It is strongly wind, heat, salt, and drought tolerant. It is an excellent sand binder and makes a good hedge or screen. Branches and large leaf rosettes are used in arrangements, while its white flowers and fruits as well as small leaf rosettes are used by the lei maker.

93

m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t

Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower Strelitzia reginae

A slow growing, clump-forming evergreen South African plant reaching • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Distinctive and dramatic bright orange flower • Full sun

up to 6 feet in height, this species produces its flamboyant flowers all year. Select only those plants that bear flowers well above the foliage. It flowers best in full sun in a good, well-drained soil. It has moderate salt, wind, and drought tolerance. Both flowers and foliage are used in arrangements. It may be used as a bright color accent alone or in scattered clumps or as a hedge or screen. A variant, Strelitzia reginae var. juncea, produces the same flamboyant flowers but has tubular, “rush-shaped” leaves terminating in a tough, sharp point. It is a strong color accent, and its foliage provides a striking tex-

• ZONE 3 low water use • Strelitziaceae (Bird of Paradise Family)

94

tural accent. It is recommended that gardeners take care in placing this form to prevent accidental contact with children and visitors—and the gardener.

Strelitzia reginae var. juncea

Strelitzia reginae var. juncea

95

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Copper Leaf, Jacob’s Coat, Beefsteak Plant P Acalypha wilkesiana

A large, sprawling evergreen shrub from Southeast Asia bears red or green • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Red or green and yellow variegated foliage • Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbia Family) • P Toxic

96

and yellow variegated foliage. An interesting cultivar, ‘Picotee Acalypha’ (A. wilkesiana ‘Picotee’), has green and white variegated foliage with a white, fringed leaf. Growing to 15 feet in height, they develop their color best in full sun but will thrive in light shade. It shows moderate salt and drought tolerance. Use them as a very colorful hedge or screen or as a color accent among other less colorful plants.

A. wilkesiana ‘Picotee’

97

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Lipstick Plant, Achiote, ‘Alaea Bixa orellana

Growing to 30 feet in height, this tropical American shrub is useful as a • Color notes: Colorful pods of red or yellow and small, pink flower • Full sun

hedge or screen and may be easily pruned into a small tree. It is prized for its colorful pods, which may be bright red, dull red, or yellow and are used in wreaths and table decorations. A bright red powder within the pod was used by Native Americans for face-painting and is now employed as a coloring agent for oleomargarine. It is not particular about soil as long as it is well drained. It needs full sun for best pod coloring. Use it as an accent or screen.

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Bixaceae (Annatto Family)

98

It shows low salt and wind tolerance but is moderately drought tolerant.

99

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Bontia Bontia daphnoides

A remarkably tough, dense shrub, bontia is wind, heat, drought, and salt • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Bright green foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Myoporaceae (Myoporum Family)

100

tolerant. It will reach 25 feet in height. Plant it in full sun in any well-drained soil. A fairly rapid grower, pruning will assist in producing a tree form. Or use it unpruned as a windbreak, screen, or tall hedge. Bontia is native to hot, dry, coastal places from the Bahamas through Cuba and islands of the Caribbean to Guyana. Use it in the xeriscape and the beach garden.

101

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Red Powderpuff, Lehua Haole Calliandra haematocephala

Native to Bolivia, this rapid-growing evergreen shrub will grow to 18 feet • Color notes: Evergreen foliage with unusual and showy red or reddish-pink flowers • Full sun

in height with a 20 foot spread and is readily pruned into a small tree. It bears showy red or reddish-pink flowers in fall and winter. There is a whiteflowered form. It prefers full sun in a good, well-drained soil. It makes a good screen or enclosure or a colorful accent. Although usually associated with moisture, it shows adaptability by tolerating moderate drought once well established.

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

102

103

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Crown Flower, Giant Milkweed, Pua Kalaunu P + S + Calotropis gigantea

In dry places from India to Southeast Asia, this species grows to 15 feet in • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: White or lavender flowers • Full sun

height, preferring full, hot sun. It will grow in any well-drained soil, even sand, and it is very heat, drought, salt, and wind tolerant. Use it as a windbreak or screen or pruned into a small tree. Plant it where its white or lavender flowers may be easily picked; it is very popular with lei makers. Take care to prevent its milky sap from touching bare skin. It may cause a bad skin reaction. In India the flower is sacred to Shiva, and its flower buds form one of the darts of Kama, the God of Love, an Indian Dan Cupid, if you will, who shoots his arrows into the hearts of mortals. A slightly smaller species, C. procera, has purple and white flowers. Growth needs, tolerances, and uses

• ZONE 4 very low water use • H(HPWRA) • Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family) • P Toxic • S Skin irritant

104

are the same as its larger relative.

Colotropis gigantea

Caloptris procera

Colotropis gigantea

105

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Natal Plum T Carissa macrocarpa

An evergreen South African species growing rapidly to 20 feet in height, the • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Bright red fruits with white flowers • Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3 low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • T Thorns or spines

106

Natal plum bears bright red plumlike fruits used to make a delicious jelly. Its milky sap is nontoxic. Although tolerating light shade, it performs best in full, hot sun in any well-drained soil, even sand. Its white, fragrant flowers appear most of the year. It makes an excellent barrier hedge, tall screen, or windbreak and can be pruned into a small tree. Foliage, flowers, and fruit may be used in arrangements. Natal plum is very heat, wind, salt, and drought tolerant and is excellent for both dry and beachside gardens.

107

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Croton Codiaeum variegatum

Reaching 20 feet in height, this popular Melanesian shrub is among the • Color notes: Very colorful foliage varying from yellow to green and yellow, orange, pink, or red • Full sun to light shade

most colorful and variable plants available. Foliage may vary in color from yellow to green and yellow, orange, pink, and many shades of red and purple-red, and it can be large leaved, small leaved, narrow to broadleaved, or even curly. It makes an excellent hedge, screen, or windbreak. It is suggested that only one color and leaf shape be used for these purposes to avoid having a Joseph’s coat appearance (rather garish). Specimen plants make startling color accents. Croton is happy in both full sun or light shade and,

• ZONE 3 low water use • Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbia Family)

108

once well established, shows moderate drought and salt tolerance and good tolerance to wind. It can be pruned into a tree shape, providing a strong color focal point in the xeriscape.

Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Dust’

109

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

‘A‘ali‘i Dodonaea viscosa

Usually seen as a large shrub, this native Hawaiian species can reach 24 feet • Native Hawaiian plant • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Fruits vary in color from red to white and mahogany • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)

110

in height. A slow grower, judicious pruning will produce a treelike shape. It is drought, heat, wind, and salt air tolerant and finds good use in the xeriscape as a screen, windbreak, small tree, or background plant for showier species. It grows in almost any well-drained soil and does best in full sun. Its papery fruits vary in color from white to red and mahogany and are popular for lei making.

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Golden Dewdrop, Duranta, Pigeon Berry P Duranta erecta

Reaching 20 feet in height, this species from the southern United States • Color notes: Blue-violet blooms followed by pendant clusters of golden fruit • Full sun

south to Argentina flowers abundantly, producing blue-violet blooms followed by a heavy crop of attractive pendant clusters of golden fruit. There is a white-flowered variety, Duranta erecta var. alba. There are also several attractive cultivars: ‘Variegata’ with green and white variegated foliage; ‘Gold’ produces golden yellow leaves and lavender blue flowers; ‘Golden Edge’ carries green leaves bordered with yellow and with purple flowers; and ‘Geisha Girl’ with dark green foliage and blue and purple flowers. They

• ZONE 3 low water use

all thrive in well-drained soil in full sun. Use golden dewdrop as a hedge,

• H(HPWRA)

color accent. They show heat and wind tolerance, moderate drought toler-

• Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

ance, but no salt tolerance. All parts of the plant are toxic.

screen, or windbreak or trained into a small tree shape. ‘Gold’ is a strong

• P Toxic

Duranta erecta var. alba

112

Duranta erecta flower

Duranta erecta fruit

Duranta erecta ‘Golden Edge’

Duranta erecta ‘Gold’

Duranta erecta ‘Geisha Girl’

Duranta erecta ‘Variegata’

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Red Hibiscus, Common Hibiscus, Chinese Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

An evergreen Asian plant, hibiscus is one of the most favored plants in the • Color notes: Hybrids have many varied colors, ranging from bright red to white, pink, yellow, and even coffee and tan with a red eye • Full sun

landscape. The common red hibiscus will grow to 15 feet in height, flowering all year. Flowers are bright red and last but one day. It will do satisfactorily in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It tolerates heat and wind and shows moderate tolerance to drought once well established. It makes a fine hedge or screen. Its many hybrids vary in height from low shrubs growing 4 or 5 feet high to those more than 20 feet high. Colors vary greatly from white, pink, yellow, orange, and red to bicolors, even coffee and tan with a red eye. All prefer full sun, a good, well-drained soil, and regular feeding. They are heat and wind tolerant but have only moderate tolerance to

• ZONE 2 moderate water use

drought and salt. Flowers are used in arrangements, sometimes skewered on

• Malvaceae (Hibiscus Family)

also a favored hair ornament.

114

a coconut leaf rib or placed in a shallow bowl. Water is not required. They are

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Hibiscus rosa-sinensus ‘Madame Pele’

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Princess Hanako’

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Higa Yellow’

115

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Coral Hibiscus, Fringed Hibiscus, Aloalo Ko‘ako‘a Hibiscus schizopetalus

Reaching 15 feet in height, this tropical East African weeping hibiscus bears • Color notes: Varying colors, all with fringed flower petals • Full sun

its unusual flowers all year. A number of hybrids are available showing the parental fringed flower petals. While the species is sprawling and requires a wide planting space, its hybrids tend to be more columnar in form. All must have full sun in a well-drained area. They are wind tolerant, moderately drought tolerant, but not salt tolerant. They make beautiful specimen plantings, excellent hedges, and screens. Flowers last only one day, but new

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Malvaceae (Hibiscus Family)

116

flowers are produced daily. Flowers are used in arrangements, frequently skewered on coconut leaf ribs.

Hibiscus schizopetalus ‘Pink Butterfly’

117

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Cup and Saucer, Chinese Hat Plant, Parasol Flower Holmskioldia sanguinea

Originating in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, this colorful, somewhat • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Colorful flowers, ranging from red to yellow • Full sun

sprawling evergreen shrub will reach a height of 30 feet. It flowers much of the year. It may be used as a large hedge, screen, or as a color accent. Due to its sprawling habit of growth, it is not suited for tailoring into a small tree. Its flowers are used by the lei maker. The yellow cup and saucer (H. sanguinea ‘Citrina’) provides the same landscape uses. There are several other color forms in the red to yellow range. All fare best in full sun in a well-drained soil. They are wind and heat tolerant, moderately tolerant of drought, but not of salt.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

118

Holmskioldia snaguinea ‘Citrina’

119

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Mock Orange, Chinese Box, Alahe‘e Haole Murraya paniculata

A rather slow growing, large shrub native to the area from India east to the • Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Dark green foliage covered with small, white flowers • Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3 low water use • Evaluate • Rutaceae (Citrus Family)

120

Philippines, mock orange will reach 25 feet in height. It is one of the most popular plants for making a large hedge, screen, or windbreak or pruned into a small tree form. It can be clipped into a tight shape or left to its natural form of growth. It fares best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. A good, well-drained soil is preferred. Both foliage and its fragrant white flowers are used in arrangements and in leis. It is wind tolerant but shows only moderate tolerance to salt and drought.

121

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Oleander, Common Oleander, ‘Oliana P + S + Nerium oleander

Native to the broad area from the Middle East to Japan, this evergreen plant • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Evergreen foliage with profuse flowers in colors ranging from white to pink, salmon, yellow, and red • Full sun to partial shade

will attain 30 feet in height. It produces a dense shrub from new canes rising from the ground each year. It flowers profusely on new wood in colors ranging from white to pink, salmon, yellow, rose, red, and dark red. There are double- and single-flowered forms, fragrant flowers, and variegated foliage, both green and white and green and yellow. Old canes should be removed to the ground to encourage new growth. Unwanted young canes should be pulled rather than cut to reduce basal growth. Oleander is very heat and drought tolerant and has good wind and salt tolerance. It makes an excellent hedge, screen, windbreak, a colorful mass planting or color specimen accent, and is readily pruned into a small tree.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic • S Irritant

122

123

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

124

125

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Japanese Pittosporum, Tobira Pittosporum tobira

Originating from Japan and China, this large, tough evergreen shrub will • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Glossy evergreen foliage • Full sun to light shade

slowly reach 25 feet in height. It does best in a good, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It has good wind, salt, and drought tolerance, makes a fine hedge, screen, or windbreak, and can be trained into a small tree shape. Branches may be used in arrangements. It fares better at cool elevations but also works well along the coast. It is useful both in the xeriscape and the beach garden but does not perform well in pure sand.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Evaluate • Pittosporaceae (Pittosporum Family)

126

127

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Crepe Jasmine, Paper Gardenia Tabernaemontana divaricata

This fast-growing evergreen shrub from northern India and eastward to • Good for the night garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Evergreen foliage with fragrant white and yellow flowers • Full sun to shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

128

northern Thailand and southwestern China may reach 15 feet in height. Growing well in sun or shade, it prefers a rich soil with good drainage. Its plentiful white flowers have a yellow throat and are fragrant at night. Its wood is also fragrant and may be used for incense. It is useful as a hedge or screen, as a background planting, or it may be pruned into a small tree. It shows moderate drought and wind tolerance but has no salt tolerance. There is a double form, the ‘Butterfly Gardenia’ (T. divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’).

T. divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’

129

l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

Purple Vitex, Arabian Lilac Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’

Native to hot, dry areas of the Middle East to Australia, this tough shrub is • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Graygreen foliage with purple undersides • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

130

wind, drought, and salt tolerant. It will grow to 25 feet in height and may be shaped into a tree form. It grows rather rapidly, developing a dense crown of somewhat fuzzy gray-green leaves that are purple on their undersides. Use this Vitex as a hedge, screen, low windbreak, or, as noted above, pruned into a small tree. It is good at the beach and thrives in sand, but does better in soil.

131

About Trees As a general guide for the watersmart garden, trees are categorized into the following three reasonable sizes: small, 15–30 feet; medium, to 50 feet; and large, over 50 feet. Another very important dimension is the breadth of the canopy at maturity. Each species is genetically programmed to produce its size and shape. Regardless of age and height, it will have a canopy in proportion. There are critical factors affecting this relationship: proximity of other trees or structures, heavy trade winds, and poor growth due to soil, water, and drainage deficiencies. At the end of each species’ description, probable mature height and canopy are indicated in parentheses. For example, “(Height 60/Canopy 75)” indicates that this tree species will probably eventually attain 60 feet in height and produce a canopy 75 feet across.

trees

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Yellow Bauhinia Bauhinia tomentosa

Growing to a height of 30 feet, this bauhinia is moderately drought and • Color notes: Pale yellow flowers throughout the year • Full sun

wind tolerant but not salt tolerant. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil. It flowers much of the year. Yellow bauhinia is useful in the xeriscape as a color accent or tall screen. It has been used as a street tree. It is native to the wide geographical range from tropical Africa eastward to China. It is a moderate grower. (Height 30/Canopy 30)

• ZONE 3 low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

134

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Dwarf Poinciana, Pride of Barbados, ‘Ohai Ali‘iP, T Caesalpinia pulcherrima

A small West Indian tree reaching 15 feet in height, this species flowers • Good for the lei-maker’s garden • Color notes: Yearround red, salmon, or yellow flowers • Full sun

much of the year, bearing red or salmon-colored blooms. There is a yellow form, yellow dwarf poinciana (C. pulcherrima forma flava). All have good heat, salt, and drought tolerance. It flowers best if planted in full sun and is not particular as to soil as long as it is well drained. Use it as a bright color accent, hedge, or screen. Plant it where its flowers may be picked for lei making. (Height 15/Canopy 25)

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family) • P Toxic • T Thorns or spines

Caesalpinia pulcherrima forma flava

136

137

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Red Bottlebrush, Crimson Bottlebrush Callistemon citrinus

Bright red, bottle brush–shaped inflorescences up to 2 3/4 inches in length • Color notes: Bright red inflorescences and evergreen foliage • Full sun

appear all year on the graceful “weeping” branches of this versatile Australian evergreen tree. New growth is colorful, showing pinkish or reddish leaves, somewhat silky hairs. It may reach 25 feet in height. It grows readily in a well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought and wind tolerant with moderate tolerance to salt. It makes a good shade tree, color accent, or light screen. (Height 25/Canopy 25)

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus Family)

138

139

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Red Cassia, Red Laburnum Cassia roxburghii Red cassia is native to hot, dry places in south India and Sri Lanka. In a well-

• Color notes: Showy red flowers in the autumn against a shade-producing evergreen canopy • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

140

drained soil in full sun, it will reach 30 feet in height with a broad canopy. It is a moderate grower. Its showy red flowers appear in late SeptemberNovember when other trees are not in flower. It shows a fair tolerance of wind and good tolerance of heat and drought. Use this fine tree in the xeriscape as a color accent and for its shade-producing evergreen canopy. (Height 30/Canopy 35)

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Autograph Tree Clusia rosea

This tough tree, reaching 30 feet in height, is found throughout the Carib• Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Broad green foliage • Full sun

bean. It is heat, wind, drought, and salt tolerant and will grow in almost any soil, rock, or sand. The seed germinates readily in both wet and dry conditions on stone walls, tree crotches, and road cuts and is considered invasive in many areas. It is indestructible in the xeriscape or the beach garden. It makes a fine screen, windbreak, or shade tree. The name “autograph tree” is derived from the fact that if a leaf is scratched, it leaves a persistent white mark. Leaves have been used as dinner table place cards and as a substitute

• ZONE 4 low water use • Evaluate • Clusiaceae (Clusia Family)

142

for playing cards. (Height 30/Canopy 50)

143

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Kou Haole, Geiger Tree Cordia sebestena

Originating from tropical America and islands of the Caribbean, this colorful • Color notes: Brilliant orange-red flowers • Full sun

tree grows slowly to 30 feet in height. It bears clusters of brilliant orange-red flowers much of the year. It grows well in any soil with good drainage. It prefers full sun. Kou haole has good wind, salt air, and drought tolerance. (Height 30/Canopy 20)

• ZONE 3 low water use • Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

144

145

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Loquat Eriobotrya japonica

Growing rather slowly to 20 feet in height, this small tree from China and • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Dense green canopy with white blossoms and small orange fruit • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Evaluate • Rosaceae (Rose Family)

146

Japan develops a dense canopy of large, attractive foliage. At cool elevations, small orange fruit appear in winter following flowering. Blooms are white and fragrant. It needs an open, well-drained soil and full sun. It is wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. In the garden it provides a foliar accent and may be used as a screen, windbreak, and for its shade. (Height 20/Canopy 20)

147

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Surinam Cherry Eugenia uniflora

Growing slowly to 30 feet in height, this Brazilian tree finds many uses in A NOTE ABOUT

the landscape. Abundant small, white flowers are followed by edible fruit

Erythrinas

used to make drinks, jams, and jellies. Its small foliage is aromatic, its bark

Erythrinas are excellent garden subjects, and many species are candidates for the xeriscape. In 2005, however, the erythrina gall wasp (Quadristichus erythrinae) found its way to Hawai‘i, with devastating results. Until the recently released biological controls have been established islandwide, the planting of Erythrinas is discouraged. Some species appear to be resistant to the pest and are so listed.

decorative. It may be used as a natural hedge, clipped into a tight form, or

• Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Small, white flowers, decorative bark • Full sun

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • H(HPWRA) • Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus Family)

148

used as an accent. It grows best in full sun in an open, well-drained soil. It shows only moderate tolerance of drought. (Height 30/Canopy 25)

149

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Common Fig, Fig Tree Ficus carica

Cultivated since ancient times for its edible fruit, eaten either raw or dried, • Good for the edible garden • Color notes: Green foliage with white or purple fruits • Full sun

the fig reaches 30 feet in height. It is a moderate grower. Native to rocky, hot dry areas of the Middle East, it is also valued for its shade. Two cultivars are recommended for local gardens: ‘Excel’, a white fig, and ‘Kadota’, with purple skin. The common fig is heat, wind, and drought tolerant. It figures in many legends and myths. It is credited with being mankind’s first clothing, as its leaves were strategically placed to hide Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Ancient Greeks credited Bacchus with the creation of the fig. Ancient Egyptians believed that the fig was the favorite food of the Blessed Dead. Mohammed is

• ZONE 3 low water use • Moraceae (Mulberry Family)

150

quoted as saying, “If I were to say that any fruit had come down from Paradise, I would say it of the fig.” (Height 30/Canopy 30)

151

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Na ¯nu ¯, Hawaiian Gardenia Gardenia brighamii

An endangered Hawaiian endemic small tree, na¯nu ¯ is now found in only • Native Hawaiian plant • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Dark green foliage with white blossoms • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Rubiaceae (Coffee Family)

152

a few dry places in Hawai‘i. It will grow slowly to 20 feet or more, bearing white, fragrant blossoms that are sought by the lei maker. It has attractive, dark green, dense foliage. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant. Plant na¯nu ¯ in an open, well-drained loam in full sun. It figures in several old Hawaiian accounts and legends. Plant it where the fragrance of its flowers can be appreciated and accessible to the lei maker. Use it as a large shrub or small tree. (Height 20/Canopy 20)

153

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Lignum Vitae Guaiacum officinale

Originating in dry parts of the Bahamas, Cuba, the West Indies, and northern • Color notes: Evergreen foliage, grayish-green bark with green patches, lavender-blue flowers, and clusters of orange fruit • Full sun

South America, lignum vitae is a beautiful evergreen but slow-growing tree, reaching 30 feet in height. It produces masses of lavender-blue flowers in late spring and summer followed by clusters of orange fruit that persist into fall. Its bark is handsome: mature grayish-brown bark peels away in patches, exposing green, young bark. Lignum vitae has medicinal applications. Its very hard wood is valued for use in fashioning hard-use articles. Plant it where its flowers, fruit, and bark may be appreciated. It makes a good specimen tree or color focal point. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant but less

• ZONE 3 low water use • Zygophyllaceae (Lignum Vitae Family)

154

tolerant of salt. (Height 30/Canopy 40)

155

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica

Crape myrtle bears showy masses of flowers in summer. They range in • Color notes: White, pink, or lavenderpurple showy flowers • Full sun

color from white to pink and lavender-purple. Its smooth bark is attractive, showing splotches of tan and gray. Attaining 30 feet in height, it makes an excellent shade tree or color accent specimen. It is native to China. It is wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant once well established. Although not particular as to soil, crape myrtle produces best when given a friable, deep soil with good drainage. Plant it in full sun. (Height 30/Canopy 30)

• ZONE 3 low water use • Lythraceae (Crape Myrtle Family)

156

157

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Black Tea Tree, Revolution Gold Melaleuca Melaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’

This is a sport of a rather common Australian melaleuca. It is valued for • Color notes: Bright yellow foliage • Full sun

its bright yellow foliage. Growing moderately rapidly, it will reach 25 feet in height, developing a dense, broad canopy. Plant it in full sun in an open, well-drained soil. It provides a strong color accent and may be used as a windbreak or screen. It is wind tolerant but only moderately drought and salt tolerant. (Height 25/Canopy 30)

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • H(HPWRA) • Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus Family)

158

159

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Noni, Indian Mulberry Morinda citrifolia

Possibly native to Southeast Asia, noni is now found in many tropical places. • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Dark green foliage with greenishwhite fruit • Full sun

It has large, dark green foliage developed into a round canopy accented by greenish-white large fruit valued for their medicinal properties. Unhappily, fully ripe fruit emit a very unpleasant odor. Plant it downwind. It grows to 20 feet in height and is readily pruned into a small tree. It thrives in any open soil with good drainage as well as in lava. It is salt, wind, heat, and drought tolerant. Its dense growth makes it a candidate for use as a screening or windbreak plant. (Height 20/ Canopy 20)

• ZONE 4 very low water use • H(HPWRA) • Rubiaceae (Coffee Family)

160

161

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Bastard Sandalwood, Naio Myoporum sandwicense

This moderately slow growing, extremely tough native species reaches 30 • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Dark green foliage • Full sun

feet in height and is best in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is wind, heat, drought, and salt tolerant. Use it as an accent tree, hedge, screen, or windbreak. There is a low, creeping form that has the same characteristics. It is listed under “Small Shrubs.” Naio wood, quite fragrant, was once tried as a substitute for sandalwood during the last days of the trade with China when sandalwood was becoming scarce. The Chinese found it unacceptable. In traditional times, Hawaiians used its tough wood for framing houses. It is an excellent choice for both the xeriscape and the beach garden. (Height 30/ Canopy 25)

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Myoporaceae (Naio Family)

162

163

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Bahamas PlumeriaP, S Plumeria obtusa

A number of years ago, this tree was introduced from the Bahamas. It was • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Abundant white flowers • Full sun

then called Plumeria bahamensis, but it is now merged with Plumeria obtusa (Singapore plumeria), a highly variable species. We are taking the liberty of listing it as the Bahamas plumeria because of its visual difference, which is significant for the gardener. It is a moderate grower, reaching 25 feet in height. Leaves are about a quarter the size of those of the Singapore plumeria. Its abundant flowers are white and fragrant and slightly smaller than those of the Singapore plumeria. Native to coastal areas of the Bahamas, it is salt, wind, heat, and drought tolerant. It is a good candidate for both the xeriscape and the beach landscape. Full sun is required for optimal growth.

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic • S Irritant

164

(Height 25/ Canopy 30)

165

sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t

Silver Trumpet Tree Tabebuia aurea

A popular Brazilian tree reaching 30 feet in height, this is a bright accent • Color notes: Silvergray-green foliage with yellow flowers • Full sun

in the xeriscape due to its silvery-gray-green foliage and abundant, strong yellow flowers. Both leaf and flower color is variable, however, with some seedlings producing less-silvery foliage and some with pale yellow flowers. Its bark is rough, furrowed, and attractive. Plant it in full sun in a soil with good drainage. It shows moderate drought, heat, and wind tolerance. Newly planted specimens should be well staked. (Height 30/Canopy 30)

• ZONE 3 low water use • Bignoniaceae (Catalpa Family)

166

167

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Hong Kong Orchid Tree Bauhinia x blakeana

Reaching 40 feet in height, this hybrid from China flowers throughout the • Color notes: Yearround bright, pinkpurple flowers • Full sun

year, more abundantly during the cool months. It does not produce seed pods. It makes a good color accent or shade tree and shows moderate tolerance of drought and wind but none to salt. It is used as a street tree and is a colorful accent in the landscape. Give it full sun and a well-drained soil. (Height 40/Canopy 35)

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

168

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Colville’s Glory Colvillea racemosa

A superb tree from Madagascar, Colville’s glory bears masses of bright • Color notes: Bright orange spikes in autumn • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

170

orange spikes in October-November when most flowering trees have finished blooming. It will attain 40 feet in height. Plant it in any light, welldrained soil in full sun. It flowers best in hot coastal areas. It is moderately wind tolerant and partially drought tolerant. (Height 40/Canopy 50)

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Buttonwood, Silver Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus This very tough tree is native to the wide area from the Bahamas and

• Good for the beach garden • Good for the night garden • Color notes: Dark green or silver leaves against a twisting, deeply furrowed trunk • Full sun

southern Florida through the Caribbean to coastal Mexico and tropical West Africa. It is variously described as a low shrub to a tree reaching 50 feet in height. Local mature specimens of the species with dark green, leathery leaves and a highly attractive twisting, deeply furrowed trunk have reached 35 feet in height. Most commonly planted is a fuzzy, silver-leaved form from the Bahamas that has attained 25 feet in height. We have opted to place the silver buttonwood in the medium tree category. The silver buttonwood retains the trunk and branching characteristics of the green foliaged species. It is very wind and salt tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It forms an excellent windbreak or shade tree for beach gardens with strong onshore winds. Its foliage makes it a striking accent in the landscape, especially

• ZONE 3 low water use

when lighted at night. In the xeriscape, it has the same uses. Combine it

• Combretaceae (Combretum Family)

(Height 35/Canopy 50)

172

with plants with dark green, shiny foliage or near a dark stone wall.

173

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant Delonix regia

A wide-canopied tree from Madagascar reaching 50 feet in height, the royal • Color notes: Spectacular flowers in various reds and yellows • Full sun

poinciana is one of nature’s most spectacular flowering trees. Flower color varies from a rich, deep red to medium red and brick red. There is a yellow flowered variety, D. regia var. flava. The University of Hawai‘i several years ago released another spectacular color form: ‘Saipan Gold’. Flowers are a true gold (not yellow) and provide a brilliant splash of color in the dry garden. Blooming is extended over several months and peaks during warm summer periods. It performs best in hot coastal areas. Surface roots may extend as

• ZONE 3 low water use

far as the canopy. Give the royal poinciana plenty of ground space in the full

• Fabaceae (Bean Family)

heat, salt, and drought tolerant. Use this tree as a strong color accent or for

sun. A moderate grower, it prefers a well-drained, light soil. It is quite wind, developing an eye-catching grove in large properties. Its almost “ferny” foliage provides light shade. (Height 50/Canopy 100)

174

Delonix regina ‘Saipan Gold’

Delonix regia var. flava

175

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

False Olive Elaeodendron orientale

Showing good wind tolerance and moderate tolerance to drought and salt, • Good for the lanai garden • Color notes: Dark green leaves with juvenile leaves marked with mahogany red • Full sun to partial shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Celastraceae (Bittersweet Family)

176

the false olive will rather slowly reach 40 feet in height, forming a dense canopy of oval-shaped, dark green leaves. Juvenile leaves are totally dissimilar, displaying slender leaves marked with mahogany red. It makes a good windbreak, screen, or general landscape tree for parks, schools, and medium-sized gardens. It can also be tubbed for interior use in a room with good light. The false olive tree is native to Mauritius. (Height 40/Canopy 30)

177

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Fiddle Leaf Fig Ficus lyrata

Reaching 50 feet in height, this handsome tree from tropical West Africa • Good for the lanai or indoor garden • Color notes: Large, green decorative foliage • Full sun to full shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Moraceae (Mulberry Family)

178

thrives in either sun or shade in a well-drained soil. It has moderate salt, wind, and drought tolerance. It is prized for its large decorative leaves. It is useful as a shade tree, screen, or windbreak. It is highly popular as a potted or tubbed specimen for indoor use. (Height 50/Canopy 50)

179

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Palmer’s Fig Ficus palmeri

From very hot, dry places in western Mexico and Baja California, this 50-foot, • Color notes: Lovely green foliage • Full sun to light shade

wide-spreading tree produces a dense canopy and deep shade. Variously described as a small to large tree, it is reasonable to expect that in the xeriscape, given a well-drained soil and a modicum of water, it will eventually reach the greater size. It is a moderately slow grower. Use it as a shade tree, a screen, windbreak, or accent tree in a large property. (Height 50/Canopy 100)

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Moraceae (Mulberry Family)

180

181

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Tamarindillo, Wild Tamarind Lysiloma latisiliquum

Native to the Bahamas, West Indies, and Mexico, this species will grow to • Good for the beach garden • Good for the night garden • Color notes: Lacey foliage with white to pink flowers • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

182

45 feet in height, developing a crown of fine-textured, almost lacey foliage. Flowers, seen in spring, are white turning rose-pink. It produces a pleasant, light shade permitting the growth of other species below. Its wood is hard and valued by the cabinetmaker. It is wind, heat, drought, and salt tolerant. It makes an excellent shade tree and can be used as a tall screening tree for parks and large gardens for the xeriscape and beach garden. Its finefoliaged canopy is attractive with up-lighting in the night garden. (Height 45/ Canopy 45)

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Madagascar Olive P Noronhia emarginata

Reaching 35 feet in height, this remarkable olive from Madagascar is highly • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Smooth green foliage with abundant green fruit • Full sun to partial shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • Evaluate • Oleaceae (Olive Family) • P Toxic seed

184

heat, wind, and salt tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It is widely used in beach gardens with an onshore, salt-laden wind, where it makes an excellent specimen, windbreak, hedge, or screen. It fruits heavily, which may present a maintenance problem. Plant it over a deep ground cover that produces heavy shade and may inhibit germination. The fruit pulp is edible, but the seed is considered toxic. It grows well in pure sand and good, well-drained soils and is at home inland as well as along the coast. (Height 35/Canopy 40)

185

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Olive, ‘Oliwa Olea europaea subsp. europaea

Native to the Mediterranean region, the olive tree will grow slowly to 50 feet • Good for the night garden • Color notes: Evergreen gray-green foliage • Full sun

in height, developing a round-headed, evergreen canopy of soft, gray-green foliage. It tolerates drought, heat, wind, and poor soils. It does not bear fruit at low elevations in Hawai‘i, which eliminates a maintenance problem. It does have a tendency to produce suckers, which must be kept cut away. It has been in cultivation for more than four thousand years and is noted in some of man’s earliest writings. Greek mythology relates that Athens was named for the goddess Athena, who produced the olive, the gift most useful to man. It is

• ZONE 3 low water use

the Greek symbol for victory. Olympic winners were crowned with a wreath

• Evaluate

branch carried by a dove to Noah signaling God’s forgiveness and the end of

• Oleaceae (Olive Family)

186

of olive leaves. Its foliage is the Christian symbol of peace. It was an olive the great flood. The olive provides good shade, windbreak, screening, and is a brilliant accent when up-lighted in the nightscape. (Height 50/ Canopy 50)

187

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Singapore Plumeria P Plumeria obtusa

Its common name is misleading, for the Singapore plumeria is native to the • Good for the beach garden • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Large clusters of white flowers against dark green foliage • Full sun

• ZONE 3 low water use • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic

188

West Indies. It will reach 35 feet in height, bearing large clusters of white, fragrant flowers from spring through fall. The glossy, dark green foliage is partially evergreen. It will grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. It is moderately drought tolerant. Use this species as a flowering accent where its foliage is set off against a light background or structure. Flowers are used in arrangements but are too large and floppy for lei making. It withstands onshore winds if given minimal protection. (See also Bahamas plumeria in “Small Trees”) (Height 35/Canopy 40)

189

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Plumeria, Temple Tree P Plumeria rubra

Prized for its fragrant flowers used to make leis, this tropical American spe• Good for the beach garden • Good for the leimaker’s garden • Color notes: Over one hundred color variations, ranging from white to pink, orange, yellow, and red; available as bicolors or semidoubles • Full sun

cies will reach 35 feet in height. There are well over a hundred flower color variations, ranging from white to light and dark pink, orange, yellow, gold, red, and dark red. Bicolors, semidoubles, and dwarf forms are available. Trees drop their foliage in late fall and produce great clusters of flowers just before refoliating in early spring, continuing flowering until late fall. Plumeria grows well in any well-drained soil in a sunny location. It is only moderately drought, wind, and salt tolerant. Plumeria is valued in the garden for shade and as color accents. Entire branches may be cut for decorating and continue flowering. In Aztec times, the flowers were used in ceremonials, and once consecrated, death was the penalty for a commoner who touched them. Virgins of Aztec noble families wore plumeria flowers in their hair. This reverence has been carried into modern times, as garlands of plumeria flowers are used in the month of May in Taxco to present to the Virgin Mary. The plume-

• ZONE 3 low water use

ria is Hawai‘i’s most popular homegrown lei flower. (Height 35/ Canopy 40)

• Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic

Plumeria ‘Tillie Hughes’

190

Plumeria ‘Princess Victoria’

Plumeria ‘Bali Whirl’

Plumeria ‘Donald Angus’

191

Plumeria ‘Keiki’

Plumeria ‘Hilo Beauty’

Plumeria ‘Penang Peach’

Plumeria ‘Pinwheel’

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Thornless Kiawe, Algaroba Prosopis pallida

Thriving in hot, dry areas, this tree from arid areas of northern Peru will • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Green foliage against attractive furrowed and twisted bark • Full sun

• ZONE 4 very low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

194

reach 50 feet in height. In full sun and in well-drained soil, kiawe produces a fine, light shade permitting the growth of other xeriphytes under its canopy. It is a nitrogen fixer. Its attractive bark is furrowed, twisted, and rough. Its wood is heavy, dense, and produces excellent charcoal. Most kiawe trees bear sharp spines. Fortunately for the xeriscaper, there is a spineless form that is readily propagated by cuttings or air layering. It is heat, drought, and moderately salt and wind tolerant. (Height 50/Canopy 50)

195

m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t

Pink Bombax, Shaving-Brush Tree Pseudobombax ellipticum

Unusual flowers, looking much like an old-fashioned shaving brush, appear • Color notes: Unusual pink flowers against an ornamental green, fissured bark, with mahogany red new leaves turning green with maturation • Full sun

on this tropical Mexican tree during its leafless period from late winter to early spring. New leaves are mahogany red, turning green while maturing. In addition to its pink flowers, it has a very ornamental, green, fissured bark. It grows best in full sun in a fertile, well-drained soil. It has moderate drought, wind, and salt tolerance. There is a white-flowered form and one with dark pink blossoms. Use this plant as a wonderful seasonal color accent where both its flowers and bark may be enjoyed. It may reach 40 to 50 feet in height. It has traditional medicinal uses: a tea made from the flowers is used to relieve fevers and coughs; the bark and root are used to treat tooth-

• ZONE 3 low water use • Bombacaceae (Bombax Family)

196

ache. (Height 40/ Canopy 40)

197

l a r g e t r e e s ov e r 5 0 f e e t

Cardinal Tree Barnebydendron riedelii

Native to hot, semidry places from Guatemala to Honduras, this partially • Color notes: Spectacular masses of scarlet flowers in winter and spring • Full sun

deciduous species will grow rapidly to 100 feet in height. During its brief, almost leafless period in winter and early spring, it becomes covered with masses of bright scarlet flowers. It fares best in dry leeward areas. It shows moderate drought, heat, wind, and salt tolerance. Use this tree as a powerful color accent in the large landscape, in parks, around government buildings, schools, and golf courses. It is also a good screening tree and windbreak. (Height 100/Canopy 80)

• ZONE 3 low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

198

l a r g e t r e e s ov e r 5 0 f e e t

Rainbow Shower Cassia x nealiae

Growing rapidly to 60 feet in height, this is one of the landscaper’s favorite • Good for the beach garden • Color notes: Varieties with wonderfully persistent flowers of deep cerise and yellow, yellow-orange, pale yellow to white, or gold • Full sun

trees. It is a Hawai‘i-bred cross between Cassia fistula and Cassia javanica and flowers abundantly from spring to fall. There are four named selections, all with persistent flowers: ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, with bicolored blooms of deep cerise and yellow, is the most frequently planted cross and is the official tree of the City and County of Honolulu. It has not been seen to produce seed pods. ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ has flowers opening yellow-orange, fading to a bright yellow with age. A few seed pods may appear but are not a problem. ‘Queen’s Hospital White’ displays flowers opening a pale yellow, fading to almost white. A few seed pods may follow.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

‘Nii Gold’ is a sport of ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, with deep gold flowers fading to strong yellow. Unlike the other Rainbow Showers, ‘Nii Gold’ has only a one-to-two-month-long flowering period, which may occur anytime from spring to fall. It produces very few seed pods. Rainbow showers fortunately inherit the drought tolerance displayed by one parent, C. fistula. They are also wind tolerant but not strongly salt tolerant, although they will perform well just a block in from the ocean. They are not particular about soil and will thrive even in sand. Rainbow showers are spectacular color accents and provide good shade. (Height 60/ Canopy 60)

200

Cassia x nealiae ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’

Cassia x nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’

Cassia x nealiae ‘Queen’s Hospital White’

201

vines

vines

Common Allamanda P Allamanda cathartica

A tropical American vine climbing to 50 feet bearing fragrant, yellow • Good for the fragrant garden • Color notes: Year-round yellow flowers • Full sun to partial shade

• ZONE 2 moderate water use • H(HPWRA) • Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) • P Toxic

204

flowers all year, this species likes a loamy soil with good drainage. Usually seen in well-watered places, it is, however, moderately tolerant of drought and wind but is not tolerant of salt. A common cultivar is ‘Henderson’s Allamanda’ (A. cathartica ‘Hendersonii’). It will grow on a fence or pergola and can be used to cover a bank. Light pruning will make it bushier. Another cultivar, ‘Stansell’s Double’, produces double flowers.

Allamanda cathartica ‘Stansell’s Double’

Allamanda cathartica ‘Hendersonii’

205

vines

Red Bauhinia, Nasturtium Bauhinia Bauhinia galpinii

An evergreen vine from tropical Africa climbing to 40 feet, this species is • Color notes: Showy flowers from brick red to yellow-red • Full sun

usually seen as a heavily pruned shrub at 15 feet in height. Its showy flowers are produced from spring into fall and are variously colored brick red to a strong yellow-red. It grows best in a good, well-drained soil in full sun. It is an excellent pergola or strong trellis cover and can be used to make a tall bank cover or, if pruned, a large, colorful accent shrub. It shows moderate drought and wind tolerance but is not tolerant of salts.

• ZONE 3 low water use • Fabaceae (Bean Family)

206

207

vines

BougainvilleaT+ Bougainvillea hybrids

One of nature’s most popular productions, bougainvillea is planted world• Good for the lanai garden • Color notes: Spectacular color varying from white through orange, gold, purple, lavender, and bicolors • Full sun

wide in the tropics and subtropics for the spectacular color of its hybrids. The species (Bougainvillea spectabilis), a woody Brazilian native growing to 50 feet, is purple while hybrids vary in color from white through pink, orange, gold, purple, lavender, and bicolors. There are “double-flowered” hybrids as well as those with variegated foliage. Pruning and regular feedings enhance flowering, which occurs on new growth. They are moderately drought, salt, and wind tolerant and perform well in a variety of soils with good drainage. Bougainvillea is used as a large pergola cover, deep bank cover, or as a protective, high hedge. It can be espaliered on a high wall or trained along eaves. It forms an effective barrier hedge. It is also a popular potted or tubbed spec-

• ZONE 3 low water use • Nyctaginaceae (Four O’Clock Family)

imen. Almost constant pruning and feeding are required. If not sufficiently watered, all foliage drops. Increase applied water. Bougainvilleas are at the top of the list for long-term flower color.

• T Thorns or spines

Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice’

208

Bougainvillea spectabilis

Bougainvillea ‘Carmencita’

Bougainvillea ‘Miss Manila’

Bougainvillea ‘Mary Palmer’

209

Bougainvillea ‘California Gold’

210

Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice’

211

Appendix A Plant List Organized by Zone

note: The text organizes plants by use (i.e., ground covers, shrubs, trees, etc.). This list of plants organized by zone will greatly assist the gardener.

ZONE 2 Ground covers to 2 feet

Small trees: 15–30 feet

Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis

Callistemon citrinus

Tagetes patula

Eriobotrya japonica

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis

Eugenia uniflora Melaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’

Allamanda cathartica ‘Thai Dwarf’

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Crinum asiaticum

Bauhinia x blakeana

Cuphea ignea

Elaeodendron orientale

Pittosporum tobira ‘ Wheeler’s Dwarf’

Ficus lyrata

Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet

Noronhia emarginata

Galphimia gracilis

Vines

Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’

Allamanda cathartica

Pseuderanthemum carruthersi (3 vars.) Large shrubs: over 10 feet

ZONE 3

Acalypha wilkesiana

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Bixa orellana

Gaillardia x grandiflora

Calliandra haematocephala

Ipomoea cairica

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Plectranthus amboinicus

Hibiscus schizopetalus

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostrata’

Tabernaemontana divaricata

Tradescantia spathacea

213

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet

Medium Trees: 30–50 feet

Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’

Colvillea racemosa

Bougainvillea ‘Menehune’

Conocarpus erectus

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Hibiscus ovalifolius

Delonix regia

Aeollanthus repens

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’

Olea europaea subsp. europaea

Callisia repens

Catharanthus roseus

Plumeria obtusa

Cyanotis somaliensis

Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’

Plumeria rubra

Kalanchoe pumila

Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’

Pseudobombax ellipticum

Zinnia palmeri

Large trees: over 50 feet

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet

Barnebydendron riedelii

Adenium swazicum

Cassia x nealii

Crassula ovata

Rosmarinus officinalis Wikstroemia uva-ursi Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Leucophyllum frutescens Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’ Plumbago auriculata Rhaphiolepis indica Rondeletia odorata Strelitzia reginae Large shrubs: over 10 feet Carissa macrocarpa Codiaeum variegata Duranta erecta Holmskioldia sanguinea Murraya paniculata Pittosporum tobira Small trees: 15–30 feet Bauhinia tomentosa Cassia roxburgii Cordia sebestena Ficus carica Guaiacum officinale Lagerstroemia indica Tabebuia aurea

214

Appendix A

ZONE 4

Lantana camara hybrids Vines

Myoporum sandwicense (creeping form)

Bauhinia galpinii

Vitex rotundifolia

Bougainvillea hybrids

Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet

Small trees: 15–30 feet

Adenium multiflorum

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Adenium obesum

Clusia rosea

Adenium somalense

Gardenia brighamii

Agave attenuata

Morinda citrifolia

Clerodendrum inerme

Myoporum sandwicense

Kalanchoe beharensis

Plumeria obtusa (Bahamas)

Scaevola taccada

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Ficus palmeri

Bontia daphnoides

Lysiloma latisiliquum

Calotropis gigantea

Prosopis pallida (thornless)

Calotropis procera Dodonaea viscosa Nerium oleander Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’

Plant List Organized by Zone

215

Appendix B Xeriscape Plants for Hedges, Windbreaks, and Screens

Large shrubs (over 10 feet)

Small trees (15–30 feet)

Zone 2 :

note: Canopy reduction (not topping)

Acalypha wilkesiana

may be required to promote and main-

Bixa orellana

tain foliage at levels necessary to produce

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

screening.

Tabernaemontana divaricata Zone 3 :

Zone 3 :

Carissa macrocarpa

Ficus carica

Codiaeum variegatum

Guaiacum officinale

Duranta erecta Murraya paniculata

Zone 4 :

Pittosporum tobira

Caesalpinia pulcherrima Clusia rosea

Zone 4 : Bontia daphnoides

Gardenia brighamii, Gardenia latifolia

Calotropis gigantea

Morinda citrifolia

Calotropis procera

Myoporum sandwicense

Nerium oleander

Plumeria obtusa (Bahamas)

Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’

217

Medium trees (30–50 feet)

Large Trees (over 50 feet) Zone 3:

note: Underplanting may be necessary

Barnebydendron riedelii

to maintain full screening.

Cassia x nealiae

Zone 2: Elaeodendron orientale Noronhia emarginata Zone 3: Conocarpus erectus Olea europaea subsp. europaea Plumeria obtusa Zone 4: Lysiloma latisiliquum

218

Appendix B

Appendix C Colors for the Xeriscape

note: Following are lists of colors for easy access to desired plants. The lists cover flowers, fruit, and foliage organized by use (ground cover, shrub, tree, vine) as well as zone.

Yellow Ground covers

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Large trees: over 50 feet

Tagetes patula flowers zone 2

Acalypha wilkesiana foliage zone 2

Cassia x nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’;

Zinnia palmeri flowers zone 4

Bixa orellana seed pods zone 2

‘Queen’s Hospital White’; ‘Nii Gold’.

Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3

‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, the most

Duranta erecta ‘Gold’ foliage and fruit

widely planted, has bicolored petals:

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Allamanda cathartica ‘Thai Dwarf’ flowers zone 2 Hibiscus ovalifolius flowers zone 3 Lantana camara hybrids flowers zone 4 Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Galphimia gracilis flowers zone 2 Pseuderanthemum carruthers var. reticulatum foliage zone 2

zone 3 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hybrids flowers zone 2 Holmskioldia sanguinea flowers zone 3 Nerium oleander flowers zone 4

yellow on the inside, cerise on the outside. Flowers. zone 3 Vines Allamanda cathartica flowers zone 2 Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

Small trees: 15–30 feet Bauhinia tomentosa flowers zone 3 Caesalpinia pulcherrima flowers zone 4 Meleleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’ foliage zone 2 Tabebuia aurea flowers zone 3 Medium trees: 30–50 feet Delonix regia var. flava flowers zone 3 Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3

219

Orange Ground covers

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Gaillardia x grandiflora flowers zone 3

Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3

Colvillea racemosa flowers zone 3

Tagetes patula flowers zone 2

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers

Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Lantana camara hybrids flowers zone 4 Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Rondeltia odorata flowers (bi-color) zone 3 Strelitzia reginae flowers (bi-color) zone 3

220

Appendix C

zone 2 Holmskioldia sanguinea flowers zone 3 Small trees: 15–30 feet Cordia sebestena flowers zone 3 Eriobotrya japonica fruit zone 2 Guaiacum officianale fruit zone 3

Vines Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

Red Ground covers

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Gaillardia x grandiflora flowers zone 3

Bixa orellana fruit zone 2

Delonix regia flowers zone 3

Tagetes patula flowers zone 2

Calliandra hematocephala flowers zone 2

Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Adenium swazicum flowers zone 4 Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’ flowers zone 2 Catharanthus roseus flowers zone 3 Cuphea ignea flowers zone 2 Wikstroemia uva-ursi fruit zone 3 Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Adenium multiflorum flowers zone 4

Carissa macrocarpa fruit zone 3 Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3 Dodonaea viscosa fruit zone 4 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers zone 2 Nerium oleander flowers zone 4

Large trees: over 50 feet Barnebydendron riedelii flowers zone 3 Vines Bauhinia galpinii flowers zone 3 Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

Small trees: 15–30 feet Cassia roxburgii flowers zone 3

Adenium obesum flowers zone 4 Rondeletia odorata flowers (bicolor) zone 3

Colors for the Xeriscape

221

Pink Ground covers

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers

Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3

flowers zone 2 Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Adenium swazicum flowers zone 4 Catharanthus roseus flowers zone 3 Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’ flowers zone 2 Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Adenium somalense flowers zone 4 Leucophyllum frutescens flowers zone 3 Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’ flowers zone 3

222

Appendix C

zone 2 Hibiscus schizopetalus hybrids flowers zone 2 Nerium oleander flowers zone 4 Small trees: 15–30 feet Lagerstroemia indica flowers zone 3

Pseudobombax ellipticum flowers zone 3 Vines Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

Lavender-Violet

Blue

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Medium shrubs: to 6–10 feet

Cyanotis somaliensis flowers zone 4

Aeollanthus repens flowers zone 4

Plumbago auriculata flowers zone 3

Kalanchoe pumila flowers zone 4

Rosmarinus oficinalis ‘Prostratus’ flowers

Strelitzia reginae flowers (bicolor) zone 3

Large shrubs: over 10 feet Calotropis gigantea, C. procera flowers zone 4 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers zone 2

zone 3 Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis flowers zone 2 Rosmarinus officinalis flowers zone 3

Large shrubs: over 10 feet Duranta erecta ‘Geisha Girl’ flowers zone 3 Small trees: 15–30 feet Guaiacum officinale flowers zone 3

Small trees: 15–30 feet Lagerstroemia indica flowers zone 3 Vines Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

Colors for the Xeriscape

223

Purple Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet Catharanthus roseus flowers zone 3 Crinum asiaticum foliage/fruit zone 2 Tradescantia spathacea foliage zone 3 Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Bougainvillea ‘Menehune’ flowers zone 2 Large shrubs: over 10 feet Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3 Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’ foliage zone 4 Medium trees: 30–50 feet Bauhinia x blakeana flowers (bicolor) zone 2 Vines Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

224

Appendix C

Appendix D Xeriscape Plants for the Beach Garden

note: Following each listing is an (A) or (B). An (A) indicates tolerance of onshore, salt-laden winds; (B) indicates tolerance of such winds with protection from direct contact, such as a strong windbreak or a structure.

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet

Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet

Zone 2:

Zone 2:

Zone 2:

Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis (A)

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis (B)

Galphimia gracilis (B)

Crinum asiaticum (A)

Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’

Zone 3: Gaillardia x grandiflora (A) Ipomoea cairica (A)

Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’ (in soil only) (A)

(in soil only) (A) Pseuderanthemum carruthersi (B)

Plectranthus amboinicus (B)

Zone 4:

Zone 3:

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostrata’ (B)

Adenium swazicum (A)

Leucophyllum frutescens (B)

Tradescantia spathacea (B)

Crassula ovata (A)

Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’ (B)

Lantana camara hybrids (A)

Plumbago auriculata (B)

Myoporum sandwicense (creeping) (A)

Rhaphiolepis indica (B)

Vitex rotundifolia (A)

Strelitzia reginae (B)

Zone 4: Cynanotis somaliensis (B) Kalanchoe pumila (A) Zinnia palmeri (A)

Zone 4: Adenium multiflorum (A) Adenium obesum (A) Adenium somalense (A) Agave attenuata (A) Clerodendrum inerme (A) Kalanchoe beharensis (A) Scaevola taccada (A)

225

Large Shrubs: over 10 feet

Medium Trees: 30–50 feet

Zone 2:

Zone 2:

Acalypha wilkesiana (B)

Noronhia emarginata (A)

Zone 3:

Zone 3:

Carissa macrocarpa (A)

Conocarpus erectus (A)

Murraya paniculata (B)

Plumeria obtusa (B)

Pittsporum tobira (A)

Plumeria rubra (B)

Zone 4:

Zone 4:

Bontia daphnoides (A)

Lysiloma latisiliquum (A)

Calotropis gigantea, C. procera (A)

Prosopis pallida (B)

Dodonaea viscosa (B) Nerium oleander (B) Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’ (A)

Small Trees: 15–30 feet Zone 4: Clusia rosea (A) Morinda citrifolia (A) Myoporum sandwicense (A) Plumeria obtusa ‘Bahamas’ (A)

226

Appendix D

Large Trees: over 50 feet Zone 3: Cassia x nealiae (B)

Appendix E: Evapotranspiration Evapotranspiration (ET) is a term describing the estimated

0.25 inches (0.5 x 0.5 = 0.25) for the day, which is the amount

total amount of water lost to the atmosphere through the

of water that would need to be applied over the tree’s effective

combined processes of evaporation from the plant surfaces

root zone (from the trunk out to at least the canopy drip line)

and soil in the plant’s root zone and water lost as vapor or

for normal growth.

gas through stomata in the plant’s leaves. This amount of lost

Because irrigation on a daily basis is horticulturally

water usually needs to be replaced, all or in part, for normal

unsound, irrigation managers typically wait until daily ETc

growth. The amount of lost water is typically expressed as

accumulates to about 50 percent of available water held in the

a depth in inches (or millimeters) over a specified period of

upper foot of soil before replacing that amount of water in an

time. Many states and water agencies generate and provide

irrigation event. For example, clay soils have about 2 inches of

ET data, which irrigation managers and other landscape

available water per foot of soil profile. Thus, our tree growing on

professionals can use to help them more accurately schedule

a clay soil would be irrigated when daily ETc accumulates to 50

irrigation frequencies and run times to apply only the amount

percent of this amount, or 1 inch (0.5 x 2.0 = 1.0). If daily ETc con-

of water needed.

tinued to accumulate at 0.25 inches per day as in our example

Many factors affect ET, including weather (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind, etc.); soil conditions (texture, structure, etc.); and the plant species. Because so

above, our tree would be irrigated after four days (1.0 ÷ 0.25 = 4), and then 1 inch of water would be applied at that time. Many agencies provide ETc data for numerous sites

many factors affect ET, it is impossible to have one set of ET

on a daily or real-time basis through online access of

data that is reliable for all plant species at all sites under all

computer-driven weather stations. Historical ETo data, based

conditions. Thus, scientists have developed the concept of

on numerous years of records, are also sometimes available.

reference ET (ETo), which is the amount of ET from a stan-

Unfortunately, specific Kc values for many landscape plant

dardized grass surface (tall fescue) at a given site. ET amounts

species are lacking. However, general Kc values for most

for individual plant species are a percentage of the ETo. This

non–rain forest and nondesert plants range from 0.5 to 0.75.

percentage is called a crop factor or crop coefficient (Kc) and is

Desert plants will have lower and rain forest plants higher Kc

used to calculate the ET for a particular plant species (ETc). For

values. Keep in mind that ET data is just one of several tools

example, if the Kc for a particular tree species was 0.5 and the

that irrigation managers have at their disposal to help them

ETo was 0.5 inches for the day, the ETc for that tree would be

schedule irrigations accurately.

227

Appendix F: Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Project (HPWRA) This is a joint project of the University of Hawai‘i and Kau-

“H(HPWRA)” indicates that the listed species is “likely to

lunani Urban and Community Forestry, a program of the

be invasive in Hawai‘i.” This is a prediction but lacks in-the-

State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources,

field evaluation, and therefore it is not yet documented. These

Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the U.S. Department

species include Duranta erecta (golden dewdrop), Eugenia

of Agriculture Forest Service. The intent of the project is to

uniflora (Surinam cherry), and Morinda citrifolia (noni). If inva-

identify plants that pose a high weed risk in Hawai‘i. There

siveness is seen, both parent plant and all seedlings should be

are five basic designations: “L”; “L(Hawai‘i)”; “H(Hawai‘i)”;

destroyed.

“H(HPWRA)”; and “Evaluate.” The first three designations are not used in this volume’s

Several species are in the project’s “Evaluate” list and have been included in the text. The “Evaluate” list reflects lack

species listings. “L” and “L(Hawai‘i)” indicate that the species

of important information or the difficulty of assessing them

is not currently recognized as invasive. “H(Hawai‘i)” indicates

using the WRA project system. They are, however, valuable

that the species is “documented to cause significant eco-

landscape species and include Clusia rosea (autograph tree),

logical or economic harm to Hawai‘i.” These species are not

Eriobotrya japonica (loquat), Murraya paniculata (mock

recommended by the authors for planting, even though they

orange tree), Noronhia emarginata (Madagascar olive), and

are commonly used landscape species. They include Psidium

Pittosporum tobira (Japanese pittosporum).

cattleianum (strawberry guava), Psidium guajava (common guava), Schefflera actinophylla (octopus tree), and Schinus terebinthifolius (Christmas berry tree).

229

Suggested Reading

Barwick, Margaret. Tropical and Subtropical Trees: An Encyclopedia. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2004. Brock, John. Native Plants of Northern Australia. Victoria, Australia: Reed Books, 1993. Carter, S., L. E. Newton, J. J. Lavanos, and C. C. Walker. Aloes: The Definitive Guide. London: Kew Publishing, in Association with the British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2011. Denver Water Department. Xeriscape Plant Guide. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing, 1996. Dimmit, Mark A., and Chuck Hansen. The Genus Adenium in Cultivation. Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2007. Ellefson, C., T. Stevens, and D. Welsh. Xeriscape Gardening: Water Conservation for the American Landscape. New York: Macmillan, 1992. Folsom, Debra Brown, et al. Dry Climate Gardening with Succulents. New York: Huntington Botanical Gardens, Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, 1995. Isley, Paul T. III. Tillandsia. Gardena, CA: Botanical Press, 1987 Jacobson, Hermann. A Handbook of Succulent Plants. 3 vols. Mill Valley, CA: Strawberry Press, 1998. Jones, Warren, and Charles Sacamano. Plants for Dry Climates. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books, 2000. Little, Jim. Growing Plumerias in Hawai‘i. Honolulu: Mutual

Llamas, Kirsten A. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2003. Meade, Ginny, and David L. Hensley. “Mulching for Healthier Landscape Plants.” Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension Service Catalogue, October 1991- L-3. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/L-3.pdf. Rauch, Fred D., and Paul Weissich. Plants for Tropical Landscapes. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2000. ——— . Small Trees for the Tropical Landscape. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2009. Rauh, Werner. Succulent and Xerophytic Plants of Madagascar, 2 vols. Mill Valley, CA: Strawberry Press, 1998. Sajeva, Maurizo, and Mariangeela Costanza. Succulents. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2001. Shuler, C. Low Water Use Plants for California and the Southwest. Cambridge, MA: Fisher Books, 1993. Staples, George W., and Derral R. Herbst. A Tropical Garden Flora. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 2005. Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai‘i. 2 vols. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1990. Whitelock, Loran M. The Cycads. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2002.

Publishing, 2006.

231

Index

A

B

‘a‘ali‘i, 110–111

Bahamas plumeria, 164–165, 215, 217, 226

‘Butterfly Gardenia’, 128–129

Acalypha wilkesiana, 96–97, 213, 217,

Barnebydendron riedelii, 198–199, 214, 218, 221

buttonwood, 172–173

‘Temple Fire’, 34–35, 214, 221

219, 226

bastard sandalwood, 162–163

‘Picotee’, 96–97

Bauhinia

achiote, 98–99

galpinii, 206–207, 214, 221

Adenium

tomentosa, 134–135, 214, 219

multiflorum, 64–65, 215, 225

x blakeana, 168–169, 213, 224

C Caesalpinia pulcherrima, 136–137, 215, 217 forma flava, 136–137, 219 Calliandra haematocephala, 102–103,

obesum, 66–67, 215, 225

beach morning glory, 12–13

somalense, 68–69, 215, 222, 225

beach naupaka, 92–93

Callisia repens, 4–5, 214

somalense var. nova, 69

beach vitex, 60–61

Callistemon citrinus, 138–139, 213

swazicum, 28–29, 214, 221, 222, 225

beach zinnia, 24–25

Calotropis

215, 221

Aeollanthus repens, 2–3, 214, 223

beefsteak plant, 96–97

african lily, 30–31

bird of paradise, 94–95

Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis,

Bixa orellana, 98–99, 213, 217, 219, 221

cape leadwort, 84–85

black tea tree, 158–159

cape plumbago, 84–85

blanket flower, 8–9

cardinal tree, 198–199

blue plumbago, 84–85

Carissa macrocarpa, 106–107, 214, 217,

30–31, 215, 223, 225 Agave attenuata, 70–71, 215, 225 ‘Variegata’, 70–71

gigantea, 104–105, 215, 217, 223, 226 procera, 104–105, 215, 217, 223, 226

‘a ¯ kia, 62–63

Bontia daphnoides, 100–101, 215, 217, 226

221, 226

‘alaea, 98–99

Bougainvillea, 208–211

‘Prostrata’, 36–37, 214

alahe‘e haole, 120–121

‘California Gold’, 210

algaroba, 194–195

‘Carmancita’, 209

Allamanda cathartica, 204–205, 213, 219

hybrids, 208–211, 214, 218, 220, 221, 222,

‘Hendersonii’, 204–205

223, 224

‘Variegata’, 37 Cassia roxburghii, 140–141, 214, 221 x nealiae, 200–201, 214, 218, 226

‘Mary Palmer’, 209

‘Lunalilo Yellow’, 200–201, 219

aloala ko‘ako‘a, 116–117

‘Menehune’, 34–35, 214, 224

‘Nii Gold’, 200–201, 219

Arabian lilac, 130–131

‘Miss Manila’, 209

‘Queen’s Hospital White’, 200–201, 219

autograph tree, 142–143

spectabilis, 208

‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, 200–201, 219

‘Stansell’s Double’, 204–205

233

Catharanthus roseus, 38–39, 214, 221, 222, 224

D

flamboyant, 174–175

Delonix regia, 174–175, 214, 221

flower dust plant, 14–15

Chinese box, 120–121

‘Saipan Gold’, 174–175

French marigold, 20–21

Chinese hat plant, 118–119

var. flava, 174–175

fringed hibiscus, 116–117

Chinese hibiscus, 114–115

desert rose, 66–67

cigar flower, 44–45

Dodonaea viscosa, 110–111, 215, 219, 221, 226

G

Clerodendrum inerme, 72–73, 215, 225

dragon tree agave, 70–71

Gaillardia x grandiflora, 8–9, 213, 220, 221, 225

Clusia rosea, 142–143, 215, 217, 226

Duranta erecta, 112–113, 214, 217, 223

garden safety, xvii

Codiaeum variegatum, 108–109, 214, 217,

‘Geisha Girl’, 112–113, 223

Galphimia gracilis, 74–75, 213, 219, 225

‘Gold’, 112–113, 219

Gardenia brighamii, 152–153, 215, 217

Colvillea racemosa, 170–171, 214, 220

‘Golden Edge’, 112–113

geiger tree, 144–145

Colville’s glory, 170–171

var. alba, 112

giant lily, 42–43

common allamanda, 204–205

‘Variegata’, 112–113

giant milkweed, 104–105

219, 220, 221, 224

common fig, 150–151

dwarf oleander, 80–81

glory bower, 72–73

common hibiscus, 114–115

dwarf olive, 52–53

golden dewdrop, 112–113

common oleander, 122–125

dwarf poinciana, 136–137

Guaiacum officinale, 154–155, 214, 217, 220, 223

Conocarpus erectus, 172–173, 214, 218, 226

dwarf Singapore, 56–57

copper leaf, 96–97

H

coral hibiscus, 116–117

E

Cordia sebestena, 144–145, 214, 220

Elaeodendron orientale, 176–177, 213, 218

crane flower, 94–95

Eriobotrya japonica, 146–147, 213, 220

ovalifolius, 46–47, 214, 219

crape myrtle, 156–157

Eugenia uiflora, 148–149, 213

rosa-sinensis, 114–115, 213, 217, 219, 220,

Crasssula ovate, 40–41, 214, 225

Hawaiian gardenia, 152–153 Hibiscus

221, 222, 223

creeping naio, 50–51, 214, 225

F

creeping rosemary, 18–19

false eranthemum, 86–87

crepe jasmine, 128–129

false olive, 176–177

crimson bottlebrush, 138–139

felt bush, 76–77

Crinum asiaticum, 42–43, 213, 224, 225

Ficus

‘Higa Yellow’, 115

croton, 108–109

carica, 150–151, 214, 217

crown flower, 104–105

lyrata, 178–179, 213

Cuban oregano, 16–17

palmeri, 180–181, 215

‘Madam Pele’, 115 ‘Princess Hanako’, 115 schizopetalus, 116–117, 213, 222 ‘Pink Butterfly’, 117 Holmskioldia sanguinea, 118–119, 214, 220 ‘Citrina’, 118–119, 219 Hong Kong orchid tree, 168–169

cup and saucer, 118–119

fiddle leaf fig, 178–179

Cuphea ignea, 44–45, 213, 221

fig tree, 150–151

I

Cyanotis somaliensis, 6–7, 214, 223, 225

firecracker plant, 44–45

impala lily, 64–65

234

Index

inch plant, 4–5 Indian hawthorn, 88–89 Indian mulberry, 160–161 invasive species, xvii Ipomoea cairica, 10–11, 215, 225 pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis, 12–13, 213, 222, 225 irrigation. See xeriscape concepts

lignum vitae, 154–155

Jacob’s coat, 96–97 jade plant, 40–41 jade tree, 40–41 Japanese pittosporum, 126–127

loquat, 146–147 Lysiloma latisiliquum, 182–183, 215, 218, 226

M Madagascar olive, 184–185 Madagascar periwinkle, 38–39 maintenance. See xeriscape concepts 158–159, 213, 219 mock orange, 120–121 Morinda citrifolia, 160–161, 215, 217, 226 Moses in the cradle, 22–23 mulching. See xeriscape concepts Murraya paniculata, 120–121, 214, 217, 226

K Kalanchoe beharensis, 76–77, 215, 225 ‘Fang’, 77 pumila, 14–15, 214, 223, 225 koali, 10–11 kolokolo kahakai, 60–61 kou haole, 144–145

Myoporum sandwicense, 50–51, 162–163, 215, 217, 226

N naio, 162–163 na¯nu ¯ , 152–153 nasturtium bauhinia, 206–207 natal plum, 106–107 naupaka, 92–93

L Lagerstroemia indica, 156–157, 214, 222, 223 Lantana camara, 48–49, 214, 219, 220, 225 large jade plant, 40–41 lehua haole, 102–103 Leucophyllum frutescens, 78–79, 214, 222, 225 ‘Silver Cloud’, 79 ‘White Cloud’, 79

‘Little Ollie’, 52–53, 214

lipstick plant, 98–99

Melaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’,

J

Olea europaea

naupaka kahakai, 92–93 Nerium oleander, 122–125, 215, 217, 219, 221, 222, 226 ‘Petite Pink’, 80–81, 214, 222, 225 noni, 160–161 Noronhia emarginata, 184–185, 213, 218, 226

O ‘ohai ali‘i, 136–137

subsp. europaea, 186–187, 214, 218 oleander, 122–125 ‘oliana, 122–125 olive, 186–187 ‘oliwa, 186–187 oyster plant, 22–23

P Palmer’s fig, 180–181 paper gardenia, 128–129 parasol flower, 118–119 petite pink plumeria, 56–57, 214, 222 pigeon berry, 112–113 pink bombax, 196–197 Pittosporum tobira, 126–127, 214, 217, 226 ‘Variegata’, 82–83, 213, 225 ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’, 54–55, 213, 225 plant selection. See xeriscape concepts Plectranthus amboinicus, 16–17, 213, 225 Plumbago auriculata, 84–85, 214, 223, 225 ‘Alba’, 85 ‘Midnight Blue’, 84 Plumeria ‘Bali Whirl’, 191 ‘Donald Angus’, 191 ‘Hilo Beauty’, 192 ‘Keike’, 192 obtusa, 164–165, 188–189, 214, 218, 226 ‘Penang Peach’, 193 ‘Petite Pink’, 56–57, 214, 222 ‘Pinwheel’, 193 ‘Princess Victoria’, 190

Index

235

rubra, 190–193, 214, 219, 220, 221, 222, 226

S

‘Tricolor’, 22

‘Tillie Hughes’, 190

sabi star, 64–65

‘Variegata’, 22–23

po¯huehue, 12–13

Scaevola taccada, 92–93, 215, 225

poison bulb, 42–43

shaving-brush tree, 196–197

V

pride of Barbados, 136–137

silver buttonwood, 172–173

variegated false eranthemum, 86

Prosopis pallida, 194–195, 215, 226

silver trumpet tree, 166–167

variegated Japanese pittosporum, 82–83

prostrate carissa, 36–37

Singapore plumeria, 188–189

velvet leaf, 76–77

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii, 86–87, 213, 225

site preparation. See xeriscape concepts

Vitex

var. atropurpurium, 86–87

Somalia desert rose, 68–69

rotundifolia, 60–61, 214, 225

var. reticulatum, 86–87, 219

sorcerer’s bush, 72–73

trifolia, 130–131, 217

var. variegatum, 86–87

Spanish thyme, 16–17

‘Purpurea’, 130–131, 215, 224, 226

Pseudobombax ellipticum, 196–197, 214, 227

spider lily, 42–43

pua kalaunu, 104–105

spray of gold, 74–75

W

pua kı¯ka ¯ , 44–45

Strelitzia reginae, 94–95, 214, 220, 223, 225

Wikstroemia uva-ursi, 62–63, 214, 221

var. juncea, 94–95, 220, 223, 225

purple false eranthemum, 86 purple vitex, 130–131

R rain barrel program, xii

summer impala lily, 28–29

wild tamarind, 182–183

Surinam cherry, 148–149

X

swan’s neck agave, 70–71

xeriscape concepts irrigation, xii, xiii

rainbow shower, 200–201

T

Rain of gold, 74–75

Tabebuia aurea, 166–167, 214, 219

mulching, xi

red bauhinia, 206–207

Tabernaemontana divaricate, 128–129,

plant selection, xiv

maintenance, xix

red bottlebrush, 138–139

213, 217

site preparation, xii

red cassia, 140–141

‘Flore Pleno’, 128–129

zoning, xi

red hibiscus, 114–115

Tagetes patula, 20–21, 213, 219, 220, 221

red laburnum, 140–141

tamarindillo, 182–183

Y

red powderpuff, 102–103

temple tree, 190–193

yellow bauhinia, 134–135

Rhaphiolepis indica, 88–89, 214, 225

Texas ranger, 78–79

yellow veined false eranthemum, 86

Rock’s hibiscus, 46–47

Thai dwarf allamanda, 32–33, 213, 219

Rondeletia odorata, 90–91, 214, 220

thornless kiawe, 194–195

Z

rosemary, 58–59

tobira, 126–127

Zinnia

Rosmarinus officinalis, 58–59, 214, 223

Tradescantia spathacea, 22–23, 213, 224, 225

‘Prostratus’, 18–19, 213, 223, 225 royal poinciana, 174–175

236

Index

‘Compacta Tricolor’, 22–23 ‘Dwarf’, 22

maritima, 24 palmeri, 24–25, 214, 219, 225 zoning. See xeriscape concepts

About the Authors

Fred D. Rauch is emeritus professor of ornamental horticul-

Paul R. Weissich, A.S.L.A., is a licensed landscape architect

ture at the University of Hawai‘i, where he served as State

whose familiarity with tropical landscape species has result-

Extension Specialist in Horticulture for twenty-five years. He

ed in numerous consultant assignments. From 1957 to 1989 he

served as advisor to the Hawai‘i Association of Nurserymen

was director of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, where he ex-

and helped found and served as adviser to the Landscape

panded the two-garden system from 50 to 650 acres covering

Industry Council of Hawai‘i. He served on the boards of the

four sites of differing ecological situations. He also increased

Friends of Foster Garden, the Halawa Xeriscape Garden, and

the plant collection to a position of international recognition.

was board member and president of the Western Region of

Weissich coauthored Plants for Tropical Landscapes and Small

the International Plant Propagators Society. He was honored

Trees for the Tropical Landscape with Fred Rauch and Na Lei

with the 1994 Malama ‘Aina Award by the Hawai‘i Chapter

Makamae: The Treasured Lei with Marie McDonald. He also

of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Dr. Rauch

wrote Majesty II: The Exceptional Trees of Hawai‘i.

grew up on a farm in a small town in Oregon and is a graduate of Oregon State and Iowa State Universities. He has been involved with the study of temperate and tropical ornamental plant material for almost sixty years and their photographs for about forty-five years. He currently resides in Oregon.

PRODUCTION NOTES FOR… Rauch and Weissich / The Watersmart Garden Cover design by Julie Matsuo-Chun Text design and composition by Julie Matsuo-Chun with display type in Costa Std and text type in The Serif Light Printing and binding by Regent Publishing Services, Ltd. Printed on 105 gsm matt art