Decking the halls with boughs of holly isn’t so easy in the tropics. The European holly (Ilex aquifolium), which is the plant referred to in the carol, rarely thrives here. Despite the dearth of holly, we have lots of plants growing here that can add appealing colors, textures and even some spicy fragrance to your holiday decorations.
Decking the halls with boughs of holly isn’t so easy in the tropics. The European holly (Ilex aquifolium), which is the plant referred to in the carol, rarely thrives here. Despite the dearth of holly, we have lots of plants growing here that can add appealing colors, textures and even some spicy fragrance to your holiday decorations.
Of course, we all know the poinsettia grows well here. With many interesting varieties in the stores, you can acquire quite a collection to plant in your garden after the holidays and maintain for next year. Poinsettia plants are so lovely they can stand alone. They can also be decorated, stacked or grouped, providing an alternate to a large tree as a gift dispersal center.
Tropical island pines, including the Norfolk and Cook Island varieties make wonderful holiday trees when larger. Smaller trees are great decorative highlights, especially when decked out in holiday ornaments, ribbons and bows.
Christmas berry trees have become quite an invasive species here. The profusion of these trees at upper elevations in Kona make them easy to find and use. The trees have small dark green leaves that offer a nice contrast to their red berries. The leaves and berries have a slight peppery scent that adds a light aroma to decorations made with them. You are doing Kona a favor to pick some of these and keep the seeds out of circulation. Birds love them and carry them into upland forests where the trees have become an invasive pest. Rather than throw the red berries away at the end of the season, you can dry them and put them in your pepper mill. You’ll find Christmas berries in gourmet markets sold as red peppercorns
Probably the closest thing we have to European holly leaves in Kona are those of the macadamia nut tree. They have a similar dark green, leathery surface and are slightly curly with some thorny leaf margins. Their “berries” are actually nuts, however, and they are light green and much larger than holly berries. The leaves and the nuts make a lovely addition to a centerpiece, as well as a coffee or side table arrangement. The leaves last a long time after being picked and their shelf life can be extended by spray painting. For a highly decorative arrangement, you can spray paint the mac nut boughs in gold.
The signature plant of Kona is coffee. This time of year you may find some deep red berries still on the trees at upper elevations. The red berries contrast nicely with the shiny green leaves of coffee plants. Add a few branches to your arrangement for a truly Kona-themed decoration.
The small achiote tree (Bixa orellana) produces fuzzy oval seed pods this time of year that can range in color from orange to deep red. Although the leaves are not long lasting unless held in water, the pods will last quite a while when included in a decoration. Though these trees are not numerous in Kona, when you find one, it will be loaded with seed pods and you can take quite a few before the loss is noticeable. Once you find a tree, you may want to watch to see when the pods open and the seeds are ripe. Collect the seeds and grow your own achiote tree.
Melaleuca trees, either the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) or the paper bark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) both have long-lasting, gray-green leaves with a mild spicy fragrance. Branches from these trees can be easily used as a foundation or to fill in a holiday arrangement or wreath.
If you need a dramatic but short-lived arrangement, consider including some branches loaded with the bright red Hawaiian chili pepper. The leaves and fruit will dry in a few days, but then you can make chili pepper sauce.
If you miss the strong fragrance imported pines offer, consider including some rosemary or the native beach vitex in your decorations. They both have a noticeably herbal aroma that can enhance your holiday decor, tropical style.
These are just a few of the readily available plants that can be used to enhance your holiday home with a tropical flare. Most of these plants can be found on Kona roadsides or by asking farmers for permission to take a few boughs. Start collecting now to enhance your holiday home.
Tropical gardening helpline
Michele asks: Can you get a rash from picking coffee?
Answer: Although we are not qualified to give medical advice, we have not heard of people getting a rash from simply picking coffee. You may be allergic to the tree sap or the juice from the cherries, but that would require a medical evaluation.
If you find you have itchy red spots after picking coffee, you may want to test the area for little fire ants. These ants bite or sting and cause a variety of reactions in people, some severe and some merely rash like.
The best way to find out if you have fire ants is to do a simple test. It only requires peanut butter, chopsticks and a sealable plastic bag.
— Smear a thin coat of peanut butter on one end of a chopstick or Popsicle stick.
— Leave the stick in the shade of plants or in mulch for about an hour.
— If there are ants on the stick when your return, carefully pick it up and place it in plastic bag. If the ants are tiny, uniformly red in color and easily dislodged from the stick they could be little fire ants.
— Seal the bag well and place it in the freezer overnight.
— Label the bag with your name, address, phone number and the location tested.
— Mail or drop off your ant sample to the state Department of Agriculture office on Hawaii Island: Hawaii Ant Lab/HDOA, 16 E. Lanikaula St., Hilo, HI 96720
— On Hawaii Island, call Cas Vanderwoude 286-4616 to report a possible infestation.
To get more information check outyoutube.com/watch?v=eIUre6lz2GI.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by certified master gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.