KALAHEO — Starting on March 16, and continuing in ensuing months on the third Saturday, people are able to adopt a plant, or heritage crop, for planting in their own yard, the National Tropical Botanical Gardens announced.
KALAHEO — Starting on March 16, and continuing in ensuing months on the third Saturday, people are able to adopt a plant, or heritage crop, for planting in their own yard, the National Tropical Botanical Gardens announced.
“The Grow Aloha program invites kama‘aina to adopt a free Hawaiian plant each month at our NTBG locations, that on Kaua‘i include the Limahuli Gardens in Ha‘ena and the South Shore Visitor Center located near the Spouting Horn lookout,” said Jon Letman of the NTBG. “On every third Saturday starting March 16, kama‘aina can come to the NTBG locations from 9 a.m. to noon to receive a free Hawaiian native plant or heritage crop.”
According to the Grow Aloha website, www.ntbg.org/events/grow-aloha, the first plant being available is the wiliwili tree that is an “important tree in Hawai‘i’s lowland dry forests and surrounding communities.”
The wiliwili is known for its beautiful flowers and bright seed pods that range in color from orange, peach, yellow-orange, and even light green.
“By bringing these plants into our gardens and growing spaces, we can support Hawai‘i’s precious biodiversity, breathe life into our island ecosystems, and nurture relationships with ‘aina,” Letman said.
The wiliwili have the ability to withstand harsh conditions where few other plants can survive.
On April 20, in partnership with the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee, NTBG will be offering ‘Ohia plantings.
