Kyle asks: I would like to plant attractive small trees to provide shade outside some south facing windows at a condo complex on Alii Drive. Can you give me some suggestions?
Kyle asks: I would like to plant attractive small trees to provide shade outside some south facing windows at a condo complex on Alii Drive. Can you give me some suggestions?
Tropical Gardener answer: You’ll want to select trees that grow quickly to 12 to 20 feet and are heat and salt tolerant. Though you could probably choose from a list of a dozen trees, some may be easier to find at local nurseries than others. Eight that should be locally available and could work well in your location are described below.
Tahitian gardenia or tiare (Gardenia taitensis) has large white fragrant flowers and large dark green leaves. It grows moderately quickly with a shrub like growth habit that can be easily shaped to a single trunk tree. Mock orange (Murraya paniculata) grows quickly but needs protection from direct salt spray. It has small fragrant white flowers and dark green foliage. It can also be grown as a shrub or pruned into a small tree.
The crepe myrtle tree (Lagerstroemia indica) puts out seasonal masses of flowers that range from white to pink and purple. This tree does best in a rich soil and has a moderate growth rate. The flower masses are pretty but are not fragrant. The mgambo tree (Majidea zanguebarica) is a very interesting specimen plant sometimes known as Hawaiian pussy willow, Zanzibar soapberry or velvet seed. Its small green flowers develop into seed pods that burst open to reveal a bright red interior that houses several gray velvety seeds. The plant is quite showy when pods are present and the seeds are used culturally to make lovely lei.
The curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) has small edible green leaves that are used to lend a curry flavor to stews. The fragrant white flowers appear seasonally and are followed by deep purple berries. Plumerias offer wonderfully fragrant flowers. To be sure they can offer year round shade get Plumeria obtusa which has white flowers and leaves with a rounded tip. Several other varieties lose their leaves in winter, so be sure to get the obtusa. The native hibiscus arnattianus known as kokio keo keo is a hearty specimen plant that can be grown as a shrub or shaped into a tree. It has large fragrant white flowers with showy magenta stamens. It grows fairly quickly and flowers year round.
Sunrise Nursery has or can get most of these trees. Tropical Edibles Nursery carries edible and culturally useful plants. Other nurseries or plant departments at big box stores may carry some of these plants. Call around to find them.
Some questions that appear here were originally directed to Kona’s Certified Master Gardeners. You may contact them with questions at konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening Events
Thursday: “Tree Fungi Course,” 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. at the UH Cooperative Extension Service office in Kainaliu with Dr. Jessie Glaeser, US Forest Service plant pathologist discussing disease fungi and how to collect and submit for analysis. Samples available for examination. Bring a hand lens. Sponsored by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Visit https://www.wcisa.net/meetings/meetingdisplay.aspx?MeetingID=5601 to register for the course.
Saturday: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden,” 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at the garden visitor center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring brown bag lunch. Water and light refreshments offered. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: Hooulu Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p,m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay.
Sunset Farmers Market, 2 p.m.-sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot.
Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-noon at Keauhou Shopping Center.
Kamuela Farmer’s Market, 7 a.m.-noon at Pukalani Stables.
Sunday: South Kona Green Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook.
Monday-Saturday: U-Pick greens and produce, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Tropical Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu.
Thursday: 9 a.m.-noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu at 322-4892.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9 a.m.-noon at UH-CES at Komohana in Hilo, 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu.