Today is Mothers Day and if you forgot any of those favorite women in your life, you are in real trouble! Trying to wrack your brains for just the right last minute gift can be frustrating. On top of that, there are birthdays, Fathers Day, weddings, Boy’s Day, Girl’s Day, and the need for gifts any time we visit a friend’s home. Don’t panic. Relax and be creative at the same time.
Today is Mothers Day and if you forgot any of those favorite women in your life, you are in real trouble! Trying to wrack your brains for just the right last minute gift can be frustrating. On top of that, there are birthdays, Fathers Day, weddings, Boy’s Day, Girl’s Day, and the need for gifts any time we visit a friend’s home. Don’t panic. Relax and be creative at the same time.
Sunday is a great time to visit garden shops and nurseries to take care of those last minute gifts. Plants make the perfect gifts for those special friends and relatives.
To avoid the headaches, enjoy your shopping by being different. You would be surprised at how many different plants make great gifts. With a little love and care, you can give a gift that really has some meaning. All the foliage plants may be spruced up with bright ribbons and clever cards, but some plants are more in keeping with the special occasion than others. In giving living plants, use your imagination with the containers, decorations, and wrapping. You can put more love in this type of gift than most other types unless you consider hand made bedspreads, home made cookies and other delectable edibles. These take time and it’s too late for baking and sewing.
First and foremost, flowers are a natural. Hydrangeas are traditional for Mom. Most folks think of Hydrangeas as a cool climate shrub that does best in Volcano, Kaloko Mauka, and Waimea, but they may be grown almost anywhere in Hawaii given enough water and some shade in warmer lowland areas. Orchids, bromeliads and Anthurium varieties are appropriate as well. Then there are hibiscus varieties with flowers from white to red and yellow with every color in between. The many gardenia varieties with white flowers and green leaves on pendulous branches makes a fragrant gift. The Cinnamon, Tiare and endemic Hawaiian gardenias are favorites. Some azaleas and several new tropical Rhododendrons are even on the market.
Another interesting foliage is the Snow Queen Hibiscus with the variegated white and green leaves and red flowers. There are dozens of Hibiscus varieties available. Crotons and bougainvillea may also be given to add garden color.
Many palms make great gifts. The pygmy date palm gives a tropical look and stays small. There are hundreds of species of palms and these fit well in to our tropical Indo Pacific landscapes. One of the favorites is the red crown Sealing Wax Palm. Other palms include the Manila palm, with its red fruit and Chambeyronia from New Caledonia with its bright red new leaf. Then there are the petite Licualas, Pinangas, Arecas and dozens of others. We actually grow more palms species than any other place in the United States. This is thanks to the International Palm Society and nursery folks like Jeff Marcus who have introduced palms to Hawaii that are on the verge of extinction in their place of origin. Thus Hawaii is like a Noah’s Arc where these species can thrive. By the way, if you think your loved one would like to help in the conservation of palms or other groups of plants, there are local chapters of Societies like the Rhododendron Society, Palm Society, Bamboo Society and Orchid societies. A gift of membership to one or all of these would be very special.
Potted blooming orchid plants, and bromeliads are just a few plants you might consider to use in the home and when their color wanes, place them in your tropical garden.
The fun of giving plants to Mom, sister, daughter and wife is that you can then plan together on how to best present them in the home or garden. It is a bonding experience for those who prepare and give the gift as well as the special lady who receives it. In getting your gifts ready, start with the right container. Wooden tubs are excellent since wood prevents rapid drying out of the soil. Jardinieres usually lack drainage holes, which may cause a watering problem. Clay pots are fine and can be painted to blend with the colors in the home. Brass and copper are ideal for table and mantle arrangements. But, as these containers are usually small, pay careful attention to supplies of water and fertilizer. Some beautiful large pots created by Mark Kimball, local farmer and artist, are available through several garden centers and nurseries. They are formed of concrete, but some of his creations look like ancient Chinese urns.
When choosing plants, consider the person receiving the gift. Select varieties that will withstand adverse growing conditions, especially if the gift is for a novice. Conditions such as low light intensity, extremes of temperature, and dry air must be considered for a house plant. Some folks claim to have a brown thumb instead of a green one, but a Sanseveria plant given to one “brown thumber” several years ago, is still alive after being placed in a dark corner and watered about once a month. This would be a great gift for your mother in law, because it is very slow growing and almost impossible to kill. Though come to think of it, I would think twice before giving it to your wife’s Mom, fellows, since it is also referred to as Mother-In Laws-Tongue. It actually does resemble a tongue but it can get up to 2 feet in length.
If you have run out of time, as a last resort you might consider a gift certificate from a local nursery for flowers or plants.
To be satisfactory, plants must do more than merely survive. They must maintain an attractive appearance with a minimum of care. For problem interiors, check with your local garden center or nursery to help you make the right choice.