Native Hawaiian Plants for Landscaping, Conservation, and Reforestation

Abstract

Native Hawaiian plants have the reputation of being insignificant “weeds” or impossible to grow. This publication on the culture of native Hawaiian plants will show you that native Hawaiian plants are beautiful and unique. They can be successfully grown and mass produced for private and public landscapes, as well as for reforestation of our native forests and watersheds. Many natives, especially those native to coastal and dry forest areas will help reach Hawai‘i’s goal of reducing wasteful watering practices (xeriphitic or drought-tolerant landscaping). Many native plants such as Myoporum, Dodonaea, Vitex, Sida, Scaevola, and Sapindus have a broad range of elevation adaptation. Thus they can be grown in coastal, inland, and upland Hawaiian gardens. Once established in the cooler, wetter areas, these plants have a minimal water requirement. They are excellent candidates for xeriphitic gardens.