Watersmart

Garden
Watersmart
Garden
100 Great Plants
for the Tropical
Xeriscape

Fred D. Rauch

and Paul R. Weissich

A Latitude 20 Book
UNIVERSITY of
HAWAI‘I PRESS
honolulu
© 2014 University of Hawai‘i Press
All rights reserved
Printed in China

19 18 17 16 15 14 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Rauch, Fred D. (Fred Donald), author.
The watersmart garden : 100 great plants for the tropical xeriscape /
Fred D. Rauch and Paul R. Weissich.
pages cm
“A latitude 20 book.”
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-8248-3896-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Drought-tolerant plants—Hawaii. 2. Xeriscaping—Hawaii.
I. Weissich, Paul R., author. II. Title.
SB439.8.R38 2014
635.9’709969 dc23
2013012435

University of Hawai‘i Press books are printed on acid-free

paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and
durability of the Council on Library Resources.

Designed by Julie Matsuo-Chun

Printed by Regent Publishing Services, Ltd.
Contents

vii Acknowledgments
ix Introduction

1 Ground Covers
28 Small Shrubs: 2–6 Feet
64 Medium Shrubs: 6–10 Feet
96 Large Shrubs: Over 10 Feet
134 Small Trees: 15–30 Feet
168 Medium Trees: 30–50 Feet
198 Large Trees: Over 50 Feet
203 Vines
 213 Appendix A: Plant List Organized by Zone
217 Appendix B: Xeriscape Plants for Hedges, Wind Breaks, and Screens
62 219 Appendix C: Colors for the Xeriscape
225 Appendix D: Xeriscape Plants for the Beach Garden
227 Appendix E: Evapotranspiration
229 Appendix F: Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Project
231 Suggested Reading
233 Index
Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to many individuals and organizations for valuable professional
assistance. Space limitations do not permit their individual listing, but we are especially
grateful to the Hawai‘i nursery industry, who graciously provided plant photo opportunities.
All photos are the work of coauthor Fred D. Rauch with the following exceptions: the Dr.
David H. Lorence photo of the inflorescence of Barnebydendron riedelii; coauthor Paul R.
Weissich’s photos of the inflorescences of Cassia roxburgii and Hibiscus ovalifolius and the hab-
itat photo of Barnebydendron riedelii; and Robert Webb’s habitat photos of Adenium obesum
and A. somalense. We thank Donald R. Hodel for his paper on ET (Evapotranspiration: appendix
E). We give special recognition to Moriso Teraoka, who, with staff assistance, created a valuable
xeriscape resource in his campus succulent garden at the Kapiolani Community College. The
major resource for the xeriscaper is found in the large tropical dryland species collection with-
in the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, part of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens system.
We would also like to recognize the tremendous support provided by the staff of the
University of Hawai‘i Press, especially our editor, Nadine Little, for her patience and insights
that were significantly beneficial to the outcome of this project.

vii
Introduction

All gardeners know that plants vary widely in the amount of water necessary to maintain
them in top landscape appearance. Ferns, anthuriums, and heliconias, for example, must
be heavily and frequently watered, while oleander, adeniums, and aloes require but mini-
mal irrigation. Unhappily, gardenwide sprinkler systems are usually programmed to cater
to plants of the highest water need. The result is wasteful and costly, with the least thirsty
plants often receiving just as much water as the most thirsty. This problem may readily be
solved by adopting the water-saving techniques of xeriscape gardening.
The term “xeriscape” was first coined by the Denver, Colorado, Water Department in 1981
and describes a set of remarkably simple actions that can save up to 80 percent of water
use. Xeriscape techniques have been widely and successfully used in dry parts of the Pacific
Southwest. Despite Hawai‘i’s reputation as a lush paradise, our islands have many hot, dry
areas where the ever-increasing cost of water makes the thoughtful use of drought-tolerant
plants essential for sustainable gardening. The time has come for Hawai‘i to embrace the
watersmart techniques of xeriscaping.
While this publication is not a “how-to” guide, it is essential that the xeriscaper have a

ix
This beautiful Diamond Head property has incorporated the zoning

principles of xeriscape gardening as well as careful plant selection to

reduce water usage by 60 percent. the mechler corporation

basic understanding of its components. This will greatly enhance the ability of the gardener
to make the best choices of plants from the lists found in the following text. Appendices
provide quick access to plant suggestions for special uses such as color or beach gardens, and
suggested readings list publications providing detailed information on how to plan and im-
plement a xeriscape garden.
There are five simple steps leading to a successful xeriscape. While the following in-
structions assume that we have a new residential property in a warm, dry location, these
techniques are adaptable to an existing garden space.

x Introduction
Step One: Plan Water Usage by Zone

Allot spaces in your garden: on a plot plan of your

property, sketch in several areas. We are electing to
have four areas, known as zones. The smallest is Zone
1, which will receive the greatest amount of water to
accommodate the plants needing the most: the ferns,
heliconias, anthuriums, and other thirsty plants. Each
succeeding zone is larger in total area, and each will
receive successively less water. The adjacent diagram
may assist in understanding this step.

Introduction xi
Step Two: Prepare Your Site

Prepare the entire site by removing all weeds and rocks and other debris, cultivate the soil
and add soil amendments if needed, and grade to lessen runoff and prevent erosion. Parallel,
low berms running across a slope will slow water movement, reduce erosion, and assist in
water infiltration. Ground cover plantings will assume that role with maturity. Shallow water
catchment areas can hold downspout and pavement runoff. Soil amendments usually refer
to various composted organic materials. Helpful in “opening” nonporous soils such as clay,
these organic materials rather quickly break down, releasing valuable nutrients. More com-
post may be added and will be beneficial.

Step Three: Zone Plan the Sprinkler System

Design and install separate sprinkler systems for each zone. Each system is to be pro-
grammed to deliver decreasing amounts of water for zones 2, 3, and 4. Most areas will have
several excellent firms locally available and capable of designing and installing such auto-
mated systems, including the timers (some are solar powered), and a more sophisticated
step: soil moisture sensors that shut down the system in the event of rain or high soil mois-
ture. Such sensors add to the basic system cost but pay for themselves in terms of water
savings. The entire system can, of course, be hand controlled, but this requires the presence
of a knowledgeable operator during the owner’s off-island periods. Sprinkler supply firms are
usually willing to teach the gardener how to do the work himself if materials are purchased
from that firm. One of the benefits of zoning is that irrigation systems can be installed
one at a time as the budget permits, thereby avoiding a high one-time cost. Keep in mind
that designing zones in the simplest configuration possible makes sprinkler design and

xii Introduction
installations easier. Although automated systems are an enormous convenience, it is import-
ant to test the system frequently. Your parts/design firm will provide information as to how
and when.

how much water is enough water?

An important note: there is no practical means of determining beforehand exactly how

much water each zone should receive. The question of how much water is enough water is
frequently asked. Trial and error is the best answer. Engineers at the Honolulu Board of Water
Supply or your local water supply company can give you your meter size, pressure, and gal-
lons per minute delivered, information that will help you to set initial watering amounts. The
avid xeriscaper, however, may refer to a professional procedure called ET: evapotranspiration
(see appendix E). This is a fairly complicated procedure, not generally advised for the typical
home gardener.
Your watering plan should take into account the water available through natural rainfall.
You can find reliable data on rainfall for Hawai‘i in The Rainfall Atlas of Hawai‘i, published
in 2011 by a team composed of the Commission of Water Resource Management and the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers ([email protected]). Data provided is an important tool
for the landscape industry.

conserving additional water through recycling

An interesting program started by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply in 2008 provides a
way to conserve even more water and may be considered an extension of the principles of
xeriscaping. Called the “Rain Barrel Program”, it simply recommends the collection of rain

Introduction xiii
water from downspouts. This water may be used for watering potted plants, grassed areas
and other non-potable water uses thereby reducing the overall amount of City water usage.
For more information on the “how-to” of designing a sprinkler system, please see the sug-
gested readings at the end of this book.

Step Four: Select Your Plantings

Look carefully through the recommended list of one hundred great plants for the watersmart
garden. Plants are arranged in order of use: ground covers, shrubs, trees, and vines. Plant de-
scriptions and a list of important features aid in the selection process. Keep in mind the size
of mature growth and leave plenty of room for your new xeriscape to grow. Overplanting is
wasteful and costly. A take-it-slow approach will yield better results. Give careful thought to
what you want from your garden. Remember that turf grasses are excessive water users and
should be limited as much as possible. Maybe paving is a substitute. Do you want color? Look
to the handy color note provided with each plant description or to appendix C for some great
color ideas. Will it be a childrens’ play space? Any hazards, such as thorns or poisonous plants,
are noted in the plant descriptions to help you to plan a safe and fun garden.

Step Five: Maintain the Garden

Weeding, fertilizing, pruning, mulch addition, regular testing of irrigation systems, insect
control, and replacement of species not thriving with those that may be more adaptable to
any particular zone will keep the xeriscape in top condition. Regular maintenance is an inte-
gral part of the success of any landscape.
Mulch is an essential tool for good maintenance of the xeriscape garden. There are

xiv Introduction
Large stone pavers and pebbles reduce the water-thirsty lawn area

in this Diamond Head garden. the mechler corporation

Introduction xv
two basic types of mulch: inorganic (cinders and gravel) and organic (wood chip and bark
products). The authors, by far, recommend organic mulch. Two to three inches of mulch, re-
newed occasionally, will absorb water, increase water infiltration, maintain soil coolness and
reduce water loss, significantly lessen erosion, and ultimately the mulch will break down and
increase soil fertility. Inorganic mulch made of gravel and cinders, in our view, produces an
unwelcome dry “xeric” look. Such mulches may become very hot in full sun, increase water
loss, and do not enrich the soil.
The most important part of any garden is the creation of a carefully thought-out plan.
Decide. Stick to it. Piecemeal plantings can be made if you have a plan. With a plan, costs can
be spread over a period of time. As you place new plants in the garden, some hand watering
may be necessary until the entire zone is planted and under automated irrigation. To help
you plan and implement your watersmart garden, you will find zoned suggestions for hedg-
es, beach plantings, windbreaks, and color in the appendices at the end of this book.

Converting an Already Existing Garden to Xeriscape

If the homeowner has a mature garden and wishes to convert it to a xeriscape, the same
basic steps noted above may be used. The major difference is in placing on the plot plan the
location of existing plants, determining their probable zones, and if possible, shaping zones
to accommodate those plants the gardener wishes to keep. You may plan to relocate trea-
sured plants to accommodate the zone layout, but transplanting is labor intensive and results
are not always successful. Unless a plant has some very special meaning for the owner and
family, transplanting should be avoided. The purchase of new nursery stock is far less expen-
sive, and young, vigorous stock is more likely to succeed.

xvi Introduction
This colorful garden makes excellent use of watersmart plant choices

and natural stone for an appealing curbside garden. fred rauch

Understanding and Avoiding Invasive Species

All gardeners should be aware of any invasive tendencies in the plants in their gardens. To
help you avoid using these risky imports, plant lists in this book are in conformity with the
Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) Project, a joint project of the University
of Hawai‘i, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and

Introduction xvii
Wildlife, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Plants currently under eval-
uation as potentially invasive are marked in the text as “H(HPWRA)” and “(Evaluate).” Their
final status has yet to be determined, but they may be used in the xeriscape garden with
caution. See appendix F. Similar restrictions published by the Landscape Industry Council of
Hawaii (LICH) have also been incorporated in the text.

Garden Safety

Plants produce a wide range of chemical substances as well as physical properties that must
be considered in selecting landscape plants. Some have thorns, irritating hairs, and toxins.
Even fragrance can produce allergic reactions in some people. We are not recommending
their nonuse but rather awareness of those properties. We teach our children to avoid touch-
ing a hot stove, looking both ways before crossing a street, and not to pick up an angry cat.
They can be taught not to touch, pick, smell, chew, or ingest an unknown plant or plant part.
The following text indicates several excellent xeriscape species known to cause problems.
They are marked with (T) following the common name for species having thorns or spines;
(S) for species possibly containing irritants for the mouth, skin, or eyes; (P) for species with
toxic sap, leaves, flowers, or fruit. A (+) indicates species deserving special care in handling.

xviii Introduction
ground covers
 g r o u n d cov e r s Creeping Aeollanthus
Aeollanthus repens

Spreading rather rapidly and rooting as it spreads, this tropical African plant

• Color notes: Silver-gray will mound up to 12 inches in height. Its silvery-gray foliage is a good color
foliage and blue-violet contrast for plants with dark green foliage. Its flowers are blue-violet in color
flowers and are carried on vertical spikes several inches above the foliage. One refer-
• Full sun ence indicates the possibility of an unattractive flower odor, but this has not
been demonstrated locally. Give it a well-drained soil and full sun. It is wind,
heat, and drought tolerant and might be tried in beach gardens. It is an ex-
• ZONE 4 cellent ground and bank cover to combat erosion.
very low water use

• Lamiaceae
(Mint Family)

2
 g r o u n d cov e r s Inch Plant
Callisia repens

Quickly forming a dense mat 2–3 inches in depth, this tropical American

• Good for erosion species makes an excellent ground cover, spreading to about 2 feet and root-
control ing as it spreads. Use it also for an erosion control plant for slopes and in the

• Color notes: Cheerful rockery. It is drought, heat, and wind tolerant and thrives best in an open soil
green foliage in full sun. The photo was taken of naturalized plants growing on a steep

• Full sun road cut, solid rock, facing afternoon sun in a dry location. It also thrives in
moist areas.

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Commelinaceae
(Dayflower Family)

4
 Somali
Creeping
g r o u n d cov e r s Dayflower
Cyanotis somaliensis

Forming a dense mat to 3 inches deep and

• Good for the beach a foot or so across, this useful ground cover
garden also provides effective erosion control. It

• Color notes: Pale violet roots down as it spreads. Its small flowers
flowers are a pale violet and are held well above the

• Full sun unusual foliage. Plants in cultivation are

close to but possibly not conspecific with
those in the wild that are found in Kenya,
• ZONE 4 Somalia, and Yemen. In any event, it is a
very low water use valuable plant for the dry garden. Provide a
• Commelinaceae well-drained soil and a place in full sun. It is
(Dayflower Family) wind, heat, and drought tolerant.

6
7
 Gaillardia,
g r o u n d cov e r s Blanket Flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora

Native to the central states, this American native is adaptable to the tropical

• Good for the beach xeriscape. It will grow to 2 feet in height, forming dense clumps. Many cul-
garden tivars have been developed, showing flowers varying in color from orange

• Color notes: Highly with a yellow tip through burgundy red. There are semidwarf forms. All of
colorful flowers them are highly colorful, tough, and salt tolerant and have been known to
ranging from orange naturalize in onshore wind coastal beaches. It is moderately drought tolerant
with a yellow tip
and very tolerant of heat and wind and poor soils. It must have full sun, good
through a deep
burgundy red drainage, and will not live long in wet situations. Gaillardias are an excellent
color accent, border plant, or a subject for a difficult, hot spot in the xeriscape.
• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Asteraceae
(Sunflower Family)

8
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Goblin’

Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Fanfare’

9
 g r o u n d cov e r s Koali
Ipomoea cairica

Koali, although a vine, is used most frequently as a ground cover, so it is

• Hawaiian Heritage included here. It is found throughout in both dry and wet areas and on
Plant dry beaches near sea level and up to 2,000 feet elevation. Koali is native to

• Color notes: White tropical Africa and Asia and may be a Polynesian introduction. It makes an
flowers nestled excellent ground or bank cover a few inches deep but wide spreading. As
amongst green foliage figured, koali may also be used to cover an arbor. Plant it in full sun in any
• Full sun well-drained soil. In old Hawai‘i, a lei of koali was worn during the ceremony
and celebration marking the successful completion of a section of an irriga-
tion system.
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Convolvulaceae
(Morning Glory
Family)

10
 Pōhuehue,
g r o u n d cov e r s Beach Morning GloryP
Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis

A useful vine, pōhuehue is included among the ground covers as it is exclu-

• Good for the Beach sively used for that purpose. It is pantropical. Pōhuehuee is found on beaches
Garden and sand dunes down to the water’s edge, but it may also be grown inland.

• Color notes: Lovely Although only a few inches in height, it is very wide spreading, rooting at
lavender flowers with the nodes. It is salt, heat, and wind tolerant but only moderately drought
a deeper violet center tolerant.
stand out against
brilliant green foliage

• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Convolvulaceae
(Morning Glory
Family)

• P Toxic

12
 g r o u n d cov e r s Flower Dust Plant
Kalanchoe pumila

Growing to only 3 inches in height, this

• Good for the beach Madagascan ground cover spreads, root-

garden ing as it does. Its foliage is an unusual

• Color notes: Unusual lavender-gray in color. Flowers are lav-

lavender-gray foliage ender. It is heat, wind, and drought tol-
with small, bright, erant and can be a colorful accent in the
pink-lavender flowers
xeriscape. Plant it in full sun in a well-
• Full sun drained soil. Use it in the rockery, in the
border, as a bank cover for erosion con-
trol, or along a wall top. It will cascade.
• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Crassulaceae
(Stonecrop Family)

14
15
 Cuban Oregano,
g r o u n d cov e r s Spanish Thyme
Plectranthus amboinicus

Possibly native to India, this spreading ground cover is now found through-

• Good for the beach out the tropics. It is prized for the aroma and flavor of its foliage, which is
garden used in cooking. In India and Southeast Asia it has medicinal uses. Grow-

• Good for the fragrant ing to 2 feet in height, it makes an excellent, deep ground cover. Plant it in
garden full sun. It is heat and wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. P.

• Color notes: amboinicus ‘Variegata’ carries green and white leaves, while an unnamed
Multicolored foliage variation shows reddish leaf margins and another displays a light green
with small white or “splotch” in the center of the leaf. All show small whitish to pale lavender
pale lavender flowers
flowers. All are aromatic.
• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Lamiaceae
(Mint Family)

Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegata’

16
Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegata’

17
 g r o u n d cov e r s Creeping Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’

This is a creeping form of the common rosemary. It will reach 2 feet in

• Good for the beach height with an 8-foot spread. It is useful as a ground or bank cover, in a rock-
garden ery, cascading over a low wall, and for its bright blue flowers and fragrance.

• Good for the fragrant A well-drained soil in a sunny location produces best gardening results.
garden

• Color notes: Green

foliage with small,
bright blue flowers

• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Lamiaceae
(Mint Family)

18
19
 g r o u n d cov e r s French Marigold
Tagetes patula

A strange common name, as this annual species is native from Mexico and

• Good for the butterfly Guatemala. It grows to 18 inches in height, bearing an abundance of flowers
garden variously colored yellow, golden, orange, orange-brown to almost red, and

• Color notes: bicolors. Both double and single flowers are available. It is a very popular
Exceptionally varied bedding, border, and color accent plant. Plant it in a well-drained soil in full
colors including yellow, sun. This species will not tolerate shade or wet sites. It is wind and heat
golden, orange, almost
tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It is the source of an essential oil
red, and bicolored
flowers. used in perfumery. The plant is currently being researched for suspected
antifungal qualities. Deadheading will lengthen the period of flowering. The
• Full sun
flowers attract butterflies. The French marigold is included in the xeriscape
palette due to its significant color.

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Lamiaceae
(Mint Family)

20
21
 Oyster Plant,
g r o u n d cov e r s Moses in the Cradle
Tradescantia spathacea

Reaching 2 feet in height, this tropical American succulent shows moderate

• Good for the beach tolerance to drought and is wind and heat tolerant. It is rapid growing given
garden good, well-drained soil. It will grow in light shade, but its color is enhanced

• Color notes: Many by full sun. There are also varieties with solid green and yellow stripes, T.
color varieties, spathacea ‘Variegata,’ as well as T. spathacea ‘Tricolor’ with green, pink, and
including green and yellow stripes, and T. spathacea ‘Compacta Tricolor,’ a compact form. More
yellow stripes and
commonly grown is its dwarf form listed as T. spathacea ‘Dwarf.’ It reaches 8
green, pink, and yellow
stripes; colors are more inches in height. All make good bank and ground covers, colorful borders, or
brilliant when grown potted specimens.
in full sun

• Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3
low water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Commelinaceae
(Dayflower Family)

Tradescantia spathacea ‘Dwarf’

22
Tradescantia spathacea ‘Variegata’ ‘Dwarf’ flower

Tradescantia spathacea ‘Compacta Tricolor’

23
 g r o u n d cov e r s Beach Zinnia
Zinnia palmeri

Forming a compact shrub to 2 feet in height with equal spread, this Mexican

• Good for the beach annual, previously thought to be Zinnia maritima, is prized for its many
garden landscape qualities: it tolerates salt, wind, heat, and drought. It will thrive in

• Good for the lei- beach sands or inland in any well-drained soil. It is rapid growing. Its small
maker’s garden but abundant, bright golden-yellow flowers appear all year. They last a week

• Good for the butterfly as cut flowers and are valuable in lei haku. It reseeds itself. Use it as a ground
garden cover, bank cover, in a color border, or as an accent among dark green or grey

• Color notes: Bright foliage plants. It thrives even in a 10-inch pot and provides a bright color
yellow flowers bloom accent for the full sun lanai or deck. It attracts butterflies.
year-round, delightful
as an accent against
dark-foliaged plants

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Asteraceae
(Sunflower Family)

24
25
shrubs

27
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Summer Impala LilyP
Adenium swazicum

Native to the east coast of South Africa, Swaziland, and north to

• Good for the beach Mozambique, this many-branched adenium will reach 6 feet in height.
garden Its branches are supple, in some clones with a “weeping” habit, in others

• Color notes: Lovely, erect. Foliage is an attractive, light gray-green that enhances the color of its
light gray-green flowers, which may vary from rose to pink, carmine, or raspberry-lavender.
foliage with flowers It is drought, heat, wind, and salt tolerant. Plant it in full, hot sun in a very
varying from rose
well-drained soil. It is a moderate grower. Use it as a strong color accent. The
to pink, carmine, or
lavender weeping clones are especially valuable in a rockery or as a potted specimen
on a sunny deck. Be wary of the sap, which is toxic.
• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic sap

28
29
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t African Lily
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis

Reaching 4 feet in height with an equal spread, the African lily produces

• Good for the beach flowers in spring ranging from dark, purplish-blue to blue and light blue
garden and white. There are dwarf cultivars reaching only 12 inches in height. All

• Good for the lei- produce good cut flowers and can be used to make leis. It is heat tolerant, salt
maker’s garden and wind tolerant, and is moderately drought tolerant. Plant it in any well-

• Color notes: Flowers drained soil, even sand, in full sun. It is a useful border or bedding plant.
from dark purple-blue
to light blue and white

• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• H(HPWRA)

• African Lily
Liliaceae (Lily Family)

30
31
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Thai Dwarf AllamandaP
Allamanda cathartica ‘Thai Dwarf’

A useful cultivar growing to 3 feet in height, this plant is bushy, bearing

• Color notes: Light light gray-green foliage and small bright yellow flowers. There is also a
gray-green foliage variety with medium green leaves. It must have full sun and a well-drained
with bright yellow soil. Use it as a deep ground or bank cover, as a border or low hedge, or as a
flowers
single specimen providing a colorful accent. It is heat, wind, and moderately
• Full sun drought tolerant.

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic Sap

32
33
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Temple Fire Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’

Used as a shrubby ground or bank cover or as a color accent, this cultivar will

• Color notes: reach 4 feet in height. It shows moderate tolerance to drought and salt, with
Spectacular abundant good tolerance to heat and wind. A similar dwarf Bougainvillea is B. ‘Mene-
fuchsia or purple hune’, which produces pale purple bracts. Both make a good border or low
flowers
hedge. Plant both in full sun.
• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Nyctaginaceae
(Four O’Clock Family)

34
Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’

Bougainvillea ‘Menehune’

35
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Prostrate Carissa
Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’

Small, dark green, dense foliage are attractive qualities of this form of the

• Color notes: Dark common carissa. It grows to 2 feet in height, forming a dense ground cover
green, dense foliage dramatizing light-foliaged plants above, a bank cover, or in the rockery. Two
makes a dramatic similar cultivars, ‘Tutleyi’ and ‘Tomlinson’, reaching 2 feet in height, provide
background for light-
similar uses in the xeriscape. Other carissa dwarfs include ‘Green Carpet’ and
foliaged plants nearby
‘Boxwood Beauty’, which are prostrate, growing to 3 feet in depth. They occa-
• Full sun
sionally throw a vertical shoot, which must be removed. All make excellent
ground covers or bank covers. There are also variegated forms. These all have
good heat, drought, and wind tolerance and considerable tolerance to salt
• ZONE 3
air. They are happy in any well-drained soil in full sun.
low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

36
Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Variegata’

37
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Madagascar Periwinkle P
Catharanthus roseus

This Madagascan shrub will reach 2 feet in height. The species bears dull,

• Color notes: White, red, rose-colored flowers all year. Modem hybrids, however, have been developed,
rose-pink, and purple ranging in color from pure white, red, and rose-pink to purple and are very
flowers popular as a bedding plant, ground cover, or border. It provides good color
• Full sun to partial in the xeriscape all year. It displays good heat, wind, drought, and salt toler-
shade ance. Its sap has been medically exploited to combat certain kinds of cancer.

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

38
39
 Large Jade Plant,
Jade Plant,
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Jade Tree
Crassula ovata

Although reaching 12 feet in height in its native South Africa, the large

• Good for the beach jade plant is usually seen growing to 6 feet in height in local gardens. It
garden grows rather slowly, developing a dense shrub that is tolerant of wind, heat,

• Good for the lei- drought, and salt. Its foliage is succulent. Many forms have been developed,
maker’s garden (small- including those with elongated leaves and foliage of blue-green and red-
leaved forms) dish color. There are a number of beautiful cultivars, including ‘Grey Bark’,
• Color notes: Jade, blue- ‘Obliqua’, ‘Obliqua Variegata’, ‘Pink Puff’, and ‘Tricolor’. Another, Crassula
green, and reddish ovata ‘Compacta’, known as ‘Mini Jade’, grows only to 3 feet in height, carry-
succulent foliage
ing small, rounded leaves. Use the jade plants for low borders or hedges or
• Full sun to very light as color accents in the xeriscape. Small-leaved forms have been used by the
shade
lei maker. There are many members of the Crassulaceae family. Space limita-
tion does not permit their inclusion here.

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Crassulaceae
(Stonecrop Family)

40
Crassula ovata ‘Grey Bark’

41
 Spider Lily,
Giant Lily,
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Poison Bulb P
Crinum asiaticum

An evergreen plant from Southeast Asia, this species forms a dense clump

• Good for the fragrant reaching 5 feet in height with an 8-foot spread. It produces large clusters
garden of fragrant flowers much of the year. There are forms with foliage and fruit

• Color notes: Foliage tinged with purple and one with leaves striped with white. The spider lily is
and fruit may be at its best in full sun in a well-drained soil and is heat, wind, and salt toler-
tinged with purple, ant but only moderately drought tolerant. Flowers, foliage, and fruit are used
leaves striped with
in arrangements. It is useful in the xeriscape as an accent, where its rosette
white
of large leaves is contrasted with a fine-foliaged, dark green ground cover. It
• Flowers, fruit, and
is useful in the border or in a mass planting. The fruits are toxic and should
foliage are used in
arrangements be kept away from children.

• Full sun to partial

shade

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Liliaceae (Lily Family)

• P Toxic Fruit

42
43
 Cigar Flower,
Firecraker Plant,
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Pua Kı̄kā
Cuphea ignea

This is an evergreen Mexican shrub reaching 3 feet in height with an equal

• Good for the lei- spread. It is rather slow growing and spreading. It is best when given full
maker’s garden sun and a good, well-drained soil. It is moderately drought and wind tolerant

• Color notes: Evergreen but shows no tolerance to salt. In the xeriscape, it makes a good shrubby
foliage with colorful, ground or bank cover, bedding plant, and a very good color accent. Several
elongated red-orange color forms are available. Plant it where its colorful flowers are accessible to
flowers
the lei maker.
• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Lythraceae (Crape
Myrtle Family)

44
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Rock’s Hibiscus
Hibiscus ovalifolius

Collected by Dr. Joseph Rock on Kaua‘i in 1913, this tough hibiscus was

• Color notes: Large known as Hibiscus rockii until recent research indicated its origin as tropical
yellow blossoms Africa to South Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarenes. In any event, it is a
against an evergreen useful plant for the xeriscape. Growing up to 4 feet in height, it spreads to
foliage
form an evergreen, shrubby cover producing large yellow blossoms most of
• Full sun the year. It is drought, heat, and wind tolerant and moderately tolerant of
salt. Plant it in full sun in a good, well-drained soil. Use it as a colorful ground
or bank cover or a low hedge.
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Malvaceae
(Hibiscus Family)

46
47
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t LantanaP, T
Lantana camara modern hybrids and cultivars

The wild type, or species lantana, is considered one of Hawai‘i’s worst

• Good for the beach invasive species, readily naturalizing in hot, dry areas statewide, thereby
garden destroying valuable pasture and grazing lands. Biological controls, however,

• Good for a lanai have gone a long way toward almost eliminating these populations. Modern
garden cultivars and hybrids appear not to present an invasive problem. They

• Color notes: Many rarely fruit, and the biological controls are still at work. These lantanas are
color varieties, extremely valuable in the xeriscape. They are heat, wind, drought and quite
ranging from white to salt tolerant. They thrive in poor soils or sand as long as good drainage and
orange and red, with
full sun are provided. They present a wealth of color, ranging from white to
spectacular bicolors
orange and red, with vibrant bicolors. All are valuable color accents in the
• Full sun
xeriscape and may be used as bushy ground covers, borders, and in planters
or containerized specimens for the sunny lanai. They will grow moderately
rapidly to 2–4 feet in height. All parts of the plant are considered toxic.
• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Malvaceae
(Hibiscus Family)

• P Toxic

• T Thorns or spines

48
‘Confetti’

49
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Creeping Naio
Myoporum sandwicense

Botanically the same as the native Hawaiian tree naio (it is listed under

• Good for the beach “Small Trees”), this decumbent form is a wide-spreading ground cover that
garden may attain 2 to 3 feet in height. Its foliage is a medium green. Flowers are

• Color notes: Medium small. Creeping naio is wind, drought, and salt tolerant and makes an excel-
green foliage with lent ground cover or bank cover in the xeriscape and the beach garden. Give
small white and it full sun and a well-drained soil.
lavender flowers

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Myoporaceae
(Myoporum Family)

50
51
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Dwarf Olive
Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’

This is a wonderful dwarf form of the common olive. It carries the typical

• Good for the night silvery-green olive foliage but grows only to 6 feet in height with an equal
garden spread. It does not flower. It tolerates poor soil, drought, heat, and wind but

• Color notes: Dense, must have good drainage. Its dense foliage makes it an ideal subject for
dark green to silver producing a hedge, low windbreak or screen, or a bright accent among dark
foliage green foliage or in the night garden with uplighting. It withstands clipping
• Full sun but works best when left in its natural form. It is a moderate grower.

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Oleaceae
(Olive Family)

52
53
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’

A dwarf form of the common Japanese pittosporum, this tough plant will

• Color notes: Glossy, form a dense mound of foliage to 3 feet in height with at least an equal
bright green foliage spread. It grows best in full sun but will perform satisfactorily in light shade.

• Full sun to light shade It is not particular as to soil as long as it is well drained but does not do well
in sand. It has good salt and wind tolerance and moderate drought tolerance.
It makes a good ground or bank cover or border.

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Evaluate

• Pittosporaceae
(Pittosporum Family)

54
 Petite Pink Plumeria,
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Dwarf Singapore
Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’

Hybrid plumerias, probably complex P. obtusa/P. rubra crosses and selections,

• Good for the lei- have produced at least three available dwarf forms with fragrant blossoms.
maker’s garden Among these is ‘Petite Pink’, a small-flowered, attractive pink. Of two others

• Good for the fragrant without published names, one has white and the other yellow flowers. All
garden three slowly form dense mounds of foliage up to 6 feet in height and spread.

• Color notes: Delightful Flowering is quite profuse. All three are evergreen. Full sun, a well-drained
pink, white, or yellow soil, and space to spread are essentials. They are only moderately drought
flowers resistant but both heat and wind tolerant. Use as a border, low hedge, in the
• Full sun rockery, or as a color accent in a small space.

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Evaluate

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’

56
57
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis

Originating in sunny, dry areas of the Mediterranean, this excellent species

• Good for the beach has been cultivated since ancient times. Reaching 6 feet in height, all parts
garden of the plant are used: its fragrant leaves are used in cooking and flowers are

• Good for the fragrant processed to obtain an oil used in cosmetics. It is heat, wind, drought, and
garden salt tolerant, finding use in the xeriscape as a low hedge or screen. Its beauti-

• Color notes: Green ful blue flowers provide a color accent.

foliage with bright
blue flowers

• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Lamiaceae
(Mint Family)

58
59
 Beach Vitex,
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t Kolokolo Kahakai
Vitex rotundifolia

Native to coastal areas of Hawai‘i and throughout the Pacific and Indian

• Good for the beach Oceans, this is an excellent choice for beach gardens with onshore winds. It
garden shows excellent tolerance of salt, heat, wind, and drought. It grows to 2 feet

• Good for the fragrant in height at the beach, but under cultivation it may reach 4 feet in height.
garden Provide a site in full sun and a well-drained soil, even pure sand. The foliage

• Color notes: Bright is pleasantly aromatic. Both foliage and flowers are used by the lei maker.
lavender-purple
flowers

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Verbenaceae
(Verbena Family)

60
sm a l l s h r u b s 2 – 6 f e e t ‘Ākia
Wikstroemia uva-ursi

An endemic Hawaiian species forming a dense shrub to 3 feet in height

• Hawaiian heritage and with an equal spread, this tough plant grows well in a variety of well-
plant drained soils. It prefers full sun but will perform satisfactorily in light shade.

• Good for the lei- Its gray-green foliage, small spherical red fruit, and clusters of yellow flowers
maker’s garden are used by the lei maker. It is wind, heat, salt, and drought tolerant and

• Color notes: Gray- makes a fine bank or ground cover or used as a color accent for its fruit and
green foliage with for its foliage above low, dark green foliage.
red fruit and yellow
flowers

• Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Thymeleaceae
(‘Ākia Family)

62
63
 Sabi Star,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t
Impala LilyP
Adenium multiflorum

Growing up to 10 feet in height, this floriferous succulent from the east

• Good for the beach coast of South Africa north to Mozambique and neighboring countries to
garden the west provides masses of fragrant red and white flowers. Plants with

• Color notes: Abundant pure white flowers are known. Petals are pointed. The central white por-
red and white flowers tion of the flower is strongly star shaped. It requires very well-drained soils.
are a strong accent in Plant it in full hot sun. Like its other Adenium relatives, it is heat, wind,
the garden
salt, and drought tolerant. It finds excellent use as a strong color accent in
• Full sun the xeriscape. Sabi star is deciduous, flowering for five months during cool
weather when leafless. It produces an amazing splash of color and provides
a seasonal change in the landscape. Its sap is toxic.
• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

64
65
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Desert Rose P
Adenium obesum

Growing to 10 feet in height (one reference indicates 12 feet), this succulent

• Good for the beach plant provides a wonderful display of color in the xeriscape. Its abundant
garden flowers vary in color from red to reddish-pink, pink, and to white. It develops

• Good for the lanai many trunks and branches from a broad, water-storing base. Flowers are
garden borne abundantly on branch tips. The desert rose has become an extremely

• Color notes: Abundant popular potted plant worldwide since it will tolerate considerable abuse but
flowers vary from red not cold. It is native to the broad area south of the Sahara from Senegal and
to reddish-pink and to Sudan to East Africa. It is drought, heat, wind, and salt air tolerant. A great
white
number of named hybrids are on the market, which greatly adds to the avail-
• Full sun able color range. It is probably the most colorful plant available for the very
dry garden. Plant it in full sun in a very well-drained soil. Use it as a strong
color accent in a low planting, as a tubbed accent for the terrace garden, or as
• ZONE 4
a border or hedge. It is especially attractive in the rock garden. Use caution in
very low water use
handling: its sap is toxic but has medicinal uses. In its native areas, the sap is
• Apocynaceae
used to treat scorpion and snake bites.
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

66
67
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Somalia Desert Rose P
Adenium somalense

A rather rapid grower, this Adenium produces a small tree reaching 10 feet

• Good for the beach in height (one reference indicates 15 feet in height). Native to very hot, dry
garden areas of Somalia and south through the rift to Kenya and Tanzania, it pro-

• Color notes: Pink to vides another valuable plant for the xeriscape. Its flowers are smaller than
deep red flowers other Adeniums, rarely exceeding 2 inches across, and varying in color from

• Full sun pink to deep red. Plant it in full sun in a good, well-drained soil. It is heat,
drought, wind, and salt tolerant. Use this desert rose as a tall color accent
or as a screen. Handle with care, as with other Adeniums, its sap is toxic. In
selecting plants, be certain that your purchase is from northwestern Kenya
• ZONE 4
very low water use or Somalia to avoid planting a more shrubby variation native to its southern
range. A new, highly attractive form recently discovered in Somalia grows
• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family) to 15 feet in height with very narrow leaves and a spreading canopy. It is
equally valuable in the xeriscape.
• P Toxic

68
Adenium somalense var. nova

69
 Dragon Tree Agave,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Swan’s Neck Agave
Agave attenuata

A native of tropical Mexico, this agave develops a rosette of succulent, gray-

• Good for the beach green, spineless leaves to 2.5 feet long carried on a trunk that may reach 5
garden feet in height. In summer a long, slender, curving stem up to 10 feet in height

• Color notes: Gray- rises from the heart of the plant bearing hundreds of greenish-white flowers.
green succulent leaves The base of the plants throws many small offsets, which are used in arrange-
and greenish-white ments. Give it full sun and a well-drained soil, but it is tolerant of poor soils
flowers along a long,
as well as drought, salt, and wind. It is also fire resistant. In the xeriscape, it
slender stem
offers a bright accent. A variegated form, A. attenuata ‘Variegata’, is available.
• Full sun
It carries its bold leaves striped in yellow. There are many agave species avail-
able to the xeriscaper, almost all of them with sharp spines at leaf tips and
along the sides of leaves. Agave attenuata is unique.
• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Agavaceae
(Agave Family)

70
Agave attenuata ‘Variegata’

71
 Glory Bower,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Sorcerer’s Bush
Clerodendrum inerme

This remarkable shrub is native to the broad area from tropical Asia east-

• Good for the beach ward to islands of the tropical Pacific. It associates with mangroves and will
garden tolerate tidal flooding. Its abundant small, white flowers are fragrant. It is

• Good for the fragrant extremely heat, drought, wind, and salt tolerant. It grows to 10 feet in height
garden and can be used as a dense bank cover or sand binder. It can be clipped

• Color notes: Abundant into a hedge. Like many Clerodendrums, however, it tends to sucker and is
small, white flowers aggressive. Plant it where its spread can be contained. In its native areas, it

• Full sun has many medicinal uses.

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Verbenaceae
(Verbena Family)

72
73
 Galphimia,
Spray of Gold,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Rain of Gold
Galphimia gracilis

Reaching 9 feet in height, this evergreen species from Mexico and Central

• Good for the fragrant America produces its fragrant, yellow flowers throughout the year. It per-
garden forms best when planted in full sun in a well-drained soil. It has moderate

• Color notes: Year- drought tolerance but poor salt tolerance. Use it as a colorful hedge or screen
round golden yellow or as a background for lower contrasting colorful species.
flowers

• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Malpighiaceae
(Malpighia Family)

74
 Velvet Leaf,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Felt Bush
Kalanchoe beharensis

Reaching 10 feet in height with at least an equal spread, this tough Mada-

• Good for the beach gascan succulent shrub is a valuable candidate for the xeriscape. It has good
garden heat, drought, wind, and salt tolerance. Use it as a striking accent where its

• Good for the night rich color and velvety texture may be enjoyed, or as a hedge, windbreak, or
garden in the rockery. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is a rather slow

• Color notes: Velvety grower. It is good for the night garden.

gray-green foliage

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Crassulaceae
(Stonecrop Family)

76
Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Fang’

77
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Texas Ranger
Leucophyllum frutescens

Native to arid areas of Texas and Mexico, this tough species may reach 10

• Good for the beach feet in height. It is slow growing, forming a compact shrub in full sun in a
garden well-drained soil. It flowers abundantly in summer. There are several named

• Good for the night forms with different flower colors and more silvery foliage. It is heat, wind,
garden and drought tolerant. Use it as a hedge or screen either clipped or pruned to

• Color notes: Purplish- natural shapes. Its flowers and foliage qualify it as a color accent. It is good
pink flowers with for the night garden and forms a spectacular, bright accent when lighted.
green or silvery foliage

• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Scrophulariaceae
(Snapdragon Family)

78
Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Silver Cloud’

Leucophyllum frutescens ‘White Cloud’

79
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Dwarf Oleander P
Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’

There are several dwarf oleanders growing to 10 feet in height and bearing

• Good for the beach small flowers and foliage. ‘Dwarf Peach’ displays peach-colored flowers,
garden ‘Little Red’ shows red flowers, while ‘Apricot Form’ and ‘Petite Salmon’ bear,

• Color notes: Lovely respectively, apricot and salmon-colored blooms. They are heat and wind
varied colors, including tolerant and moderately drought tolerant and are well used in the xeriscape
red, apricot, peach, and as hedges, windbreaks, massed color accents, or individual color accents.
salmon
They will tolerate salt air but not direct exposure to onshore winds. Flowers
• Full sun are borne on new growth. Spent stems should be cut back to the ground, al-
though one reference recommends pulling off old canes rather than cutting.
Its white sap may cause skin irritation. Immediately wash it off if contacted.
• ZONE 3
Provide full sun and a well-drained soil for optimal results.
low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic sap

80
 Variegated Japanese
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’

Growing to 10 feet in height, this plant produces a dense shrub that has

• Good for the beach moderate tolerance of drought and salt and good tolerance of wind. It
garden prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. It can be used as an accent specimen,

• Color notes: Dense as a hedge or windbreak, and can be used in arrangements.

green foliage

• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Evaluate (HPWRA)

• Pittosporaceae
(Pittosporum Family)

82
83
 Blue Plumbago,
Cape Plumbago,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Cape Leadwort
Plumbago auriculata

Forming a dense, spreading mound 6 feet in height, this species provides

• Good for the beach excellent color in the xeriscape. It flowers heavily most of the year. Flower
garden color is a sky blue. There is a white-flowered form as well as a dark blue

• Good for the lei- form, ‘Midnight Blue’. They are used to make leis. Plant it in full sun in a
maker’s garden well-drained soil. It has moderate salt and wind tolerance and good heat and

• Color notes: Beautiful drought tolerance. Use it as a colorful bank cover, a color accent, or as a low
blue flowers; white hedge.
and dark blue forms
also available

• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Plumbaginaceae
(Plumbago Family)

Plumbago auriculata ‘Midnight Blue’

84
Plumbago auriculata ‘Alba’

85
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t False Eranthemum
Pseuderanthemum carruthersii

Three varieties of this shrub are popular in Hawaiian gardens:

• Good for the beach Purple false eranthemum (P. carruthersii var. atropurpureum) grows to 10
garden feet in height, producing foliage irregularly variegated in dark purple, gray-

• Color notes: A rainbow green, and pink. Flowers are rose-purple. Foliage color is best when grown in
plant with multiple full sun, although it does satisfactorily in light shade.
varieties having Yellow-veined false eranthemum (P. carruthersii var. reticulatum) grows to
purple, pink, yellow, or
6 feet in height, with bright yellow new foliage turning medium green upon
green foliage; flowers
may be rose-pink or maturing. Leaves are “netted” with yellow veins. Flowers are white, dotted
white with purple dots, with purple. It fares best in light shade.
depending on variety Variegated false eranthemum (P. carruthersii var. variegatum) grows to 8
• Full sun to light shade feet in height bearing dark green foliage irregularly variegated with gray-green
and yellow. Flowers are white, dotted with purple. It grows best in full sun.
All grow best in a moist soil and show moderate tolerance to drought and
• ZONE 2 salt. They provide high color and may be used as low hedges, screens, or bor-
moderate water use ders or as strong color statements. They are native to the southwestern Pacific.
• Acanthaceae
(Acanth Family)

Pseuderantherum carruthersii var.atropurpureum

86
Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. atropurpureum Pseuderantherum carruthersii var.variegatum

Pseuderantherum carruthersii var.reticulatum Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. variegatum

87
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Indian Hawthorn
Rhaphiolepis indica

Native to southern China, this spreading evergreen shrub will reach 6 feet

• Good for the beach in height. Use it as a tall bank or ground cover or informal hedge. Plant it in
garden full sun or light shade in a well-drained soil. It has moderate drought and

• Color notes: Glossy salt tolerance and good wind tolerance. Flowers, fruit, and foliage are used in
evergreen foliage with arrangements.
small, pinkish-white
flowers

• Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Rosaceae
(Rose Family)

88
89
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Rondeletia
Rondeletia odorata

In spite of its Latin name, this shrub from Cuba and Panama does not bear

• Color notes: Delightful fragrant flowers but earns its landscape kudos with masses of orange and
masses of orange and red blossoms. Usually seen as a shrub 6 feet in height, it may under ideal
red blossoms conditions reach 10 feet in height. It thrives in full sun in a well-drained soil.
• Full sun It is wind tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It makes a wonderful
color accent either as a specimen or used in a hedge or low screen.

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Rubiaceae
(Coffee Family)

90
91
 Beach Naupaka,
Naupaka,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Naupaka Kahakai
Scaevola taccada

Growing to 10 feet in height with an equal spread, this species is native to

• Native Hawaiian plant Hawaiian coastal areas as well as throughout the tropical Pacific. It thrives
in pure sand or soil, even in hard mudflow rock in areas with strong onshore
• Good for the beach
garden winds, as well as leeward sites. It is strongly wind, heat, salt, and drought
tolerant. It is an excellent sand binder and makes a good hedge or screen.
• Good for the lei-
maker’s garden Branches and large leaf rosettes are used in arrangements, while its white
flowers and fruits as well as small leaf rosettes are used by the lei maker.
• Color notes: Small,
white flowers against
glossy green foliage

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Goodeniaceae
(Naupaka Family)

92
93
 Bird of Paradise,
m e d i um s h r u b s 6 – 1 0 f e e t Crane Flower
Strelitzia reginae

A slow growing, clump-forming evergreen South African plant reaching

• Good for the beach up to 6 feet in height, this species produces its flamboyant flowers all year.
garden Select only those plants that bear flowers well above the foliage. It flowers

• Color notes: Distinctive best in full sun in a good, well-drained soil. It has moderate salt, wind, and
and dramatic bright drought tolerance. Both flowers and foliage are used in arrangements. It may
orange flower be used as a bright color accent alone or in scattered clumps or as a hedge or
• Full sun screen. A variant, Strelitzia reginae var. juncea, produces the same flamboy-
ant flowers but has tubular, “rush-shaped” leaves terminating in a tough,
sharp point. It is a strong color accent, and its foliage provides a striking tex-
• ZONE 3 tural accent. It is recommended that gardeners take care in placing this form
low water use
to prevent accidental contact with children and visitors—and the gardener.
• Strelitziaceae
(Bird of Paradise
Family)

94
Strelitzia reginae var. juncea Strelitzia reginae var. juncea

95
 Copper Leaf,
Jacob’s Coat,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Beefsteak Plant P
Acalypha wilkesiana

A large, sprawling evergreen shrub from Southeast Asia bears red or green

• Good for the beach and yellow variegated foliage. An interesting cultivar, ‘Picotee Acalypha’ (A.
garden wilkesiana ‘Picotee’), has green and white variegated foliage with a white,

• Color notes: Red or fringed leaf. Growing to 15 feet in height, they develop their color best in full
green and yellow sun but will thrive in light shade. It shows moderate salt and drought toler-
variegated foliage ance. Use them as a very colorful hedge or screen or as a color accent among
• Full sun to light shade other less colorful plants.

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Euphorbiaceae
(Euphorbia Family)

• P Toxic

96
A. wilkesiana ‘Picotee’

97
 Lipstick Plant,
Achiote,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t ‘Alaea
Bixa orellana

Growing to 30 feet in height, this tropical American shrub is useful as a

• Color notes: Colorful hedge or screen and may be easily pruned into a small tree. It is prized for
pods of red or yellow its colorful pods, which may be bright red, dull red, or yellow and are used in
and small, pink flower wreaths and table decorations. A bright red powder within the pod was used
• Full sun by Native Americans for face-painting and is now employed as a coloring
agent for oleomargarine. It is not particular about soil as long as it is well
drained. It needs full sun for best pod coloring. Use it as an accent or screen.
• ZONE 2 It shows low salt and wind tolerance but is moderately drought tolerant.
moderate water use

• Bixaceae
(Annatto Family)

98
99
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Bontia
Bontia daphnoides

A remarkably tough, dense shrub, bontia is wind, heat, drought, and salt

• Good for the beach tolerant. It will reach 25 feet in height. Plant it in full sun in any well-drained
garden soil. A fairly rapid grower, pruning will assist in producing a tree form. Or

• Color notes: Bright use it unpruned as a windbreak, screen, or tall hedge. Bontia is native to
green foliage hot, dry, coastal places from the Bahamas through Cuba and islands of the

• Full sun Caribbean to Guyana. Use it in the xeriscape and the beach garden.

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Myoporaceae
(Myoporum Family)

100
101
 Red Powderpuff,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Lehua Haole
Calliandra haematocephala

Native to Bolivia, this rapid-growing evergreen shrub will grow to 18 feet

• Color notes: Evergreen in height with a 20 foot spread and is readily pruned into a small tree. It
foliage with unusual bears showy red or reddish-pink flowers in fall and winter. There is a white-
and showy red or flowered form. It prefers full sun in a good, well-drained soil. It makes a good
reddish-pink flowers
screen or enclosure or a colorful accent. Although usually associated with
• Full sun moisture, it shows adaptability by tolerating moderate drought once well
established.

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

102
103
 Crown Flower,
Giant Milkweed,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Pua Kalaunu P + S +
Calotropis gigantea

In dry places from India to Southeast Asia, this species grows to 15 feet in

• Good for the beach height, preferring full, hot sun. It will grow in any well-drained soil, even
garden sand, and it is very heat, drought, salt, and wind tolerant. Use it as a wind-

• Good for the lei- break or screen or pruned into a small tree. Plant it where its white or lav-
maker’s garden ender flowers may be easily picked; it is very popular with lei makers. Take

• Color notes: White or care to prevent its milky sap from touching bare skin. It may cause a bad
lavender flowers skin reaction. In India the flower is sacred to Shiva, and its flower buds form

• Full sun one of the darts of Kama, the God of Love, an Indian Dan Cupid, if you will,
who shoots his arrows into the hearts of mortals. A slightly smaller species,
C. procera, has purple and white flowers. Growth needs, tolerances, and uses
• ZONE 4 are the same as its larger relative.
very low water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Asclepiadaceae
(Milkweed Family)

• P Toxic

• S Skin irritant

104
Colotropis gigantea Caloptris procera

Colotropis gigantea

105
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Natal Plum T
Carissa macrocarpa

An evergreen South African species growing rapidly to 20 feet in height, the

• Good for the beach Natal plum bears bright red plumlike fruits used to make a delicious jelly.
garden Its milky sap is nontoxic. Although tolerating light shade, it performs best

• Good for the fragrant in full, hot sun in any well-drained soil, even sand. Its white, fragrant flow-
garden ers appear most of the year. It makes an excellent barrier hedge, tall screen,

• Color notes: Bright or windbreak and can be pruned into a small tree. Foliage, flowers, and
red fruits with white fruit may be used in arrangements. Natal plum is very heat, wind, salt, and
flowers drought tolerant and is excellent for both dry and beachside gardens.
• Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• T Thorns or spines

106
107
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Croton
Codiaeum variegatum

Reaching 20 feet in height, this popular Melanesian shrub is among the

• Color notes: Very most colorful and variable plants available. Foliage may vary in color from
colorful foliage varying yellow to green and yellow, orange, pink, and many shades of red and
from yellow to green purple-red, and it can be large leaved, small leaved, narrow to broadleaved,
and yellow, orange,
or even curly. It makes an excellent hedge, screen, or windbreak. It is sug-
pink, or red
gested that only one color and leaf shape be used for these purposes to avoid
• Full sun to light shade
having a Joseph’s coat appearance (rather garish). Specimen plants make
startling color accents. Croton is happy in both full sun or light shade and,
once well established, shows moderate drought and salt tolerance and good
• ZONE 3
tolerance to wind. It can be pruned into a tree shape, providing a strong color
low water use
focal point in the xeriscape.
• Euphorbiaceae
(Euphorbia Family)

108
Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Dust’

109
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t ‘A‘ali‘i
Dodonaea viscosa

Usually seen as a large shrub, this native Hawaiian species can reach 24 feet

• Native Hawaiian plant in height. A slow grower, judicious pruning will produce a treelike shape. It is
drought, heat, wind, and salt air tolerant and finds good use in the xeriscape
• Good for the beach
garden as a screen, windbreak, small tree, or background plant for showier species.
It grows in almost any well-drained soil and does best in full sun. Its papery
• Good for the lei-
maker’s garden fruits vary in color from white to red and mahogany and are popular for lei
making.
• Color notes: Fruits vary
in color from red to
white and mahogany

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Sapindaceae
(Soapberry Family)

110
 Golden Dewdrop,
Duranta,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Pigeon Berry P
Duranta erecta

Reaching 20 feet in height, this species from the southern United States

• Color notes: Blue-violet south to Argentina flowers abundantly, producing blue-violet blooms
blooms followed by followed by a heavy crop of attractive pendant clusters of golden fruit. There
pendant clusters of is a white-flowered variety, Duranta erecta var. alba. There are also several
golden fruit
attractive cultivars: ‘Variegata’ with green and white variegated foliage;
• Full sun ‘Gold’ produces golden yellow leaves and lavender blue flowers; ‘Golden
Edge’ carries green leaves bordered with yellow and with purple flowers;
and ‘Geisha Girl’ with dark green foliage and blue and purple flowers. They
• ZONE 3
all thrive in well-drained soil in full sun. Use golden dewdrop as a hedge,
low water use
screen, or windbreak or trained into a small tree shape. ‘Gold’ is a strong
• H(HPWRA)
color accent. They show heat and wind tolerance, moderate drought toler-
• Verbenaceae ance, but no salt tolerance. All parts of the plant are toxic.
(Verbena Family)

• P Toxic

Duranta erecta var. alba

112
 Duranta erecta flower

Duranta erecta fruit

Duranta erecta ‘Golden Edge’ Duranta erecta ‘Geisha Girl’

Duranta erecta ‘Gold’ Duranta erecta ‘Variegata’

 Red Hibiscus,
Common Hibiscus,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Chinese Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

An evergreen Asian plant, hibiscus is one of the most favored plants in the

• Color notes: Hybrids landscape. The common red hibiscus will grow to 15 feet in height, flowering
have many varied all year. Flowers are bright red and last but one day. It will do satisfactorily
colors, ranging from in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It tolerates heat and wind
bright red to white,
and shows moderate tolerance to drought once well established. It makes
pink, yellow, and even
coffee and tan with a a fine hedge or screen. Its many hybrids vary in height from low shrubs
red eye growing 4 or 5 feet high to those more than 20 feet high. Colors vary greatly

• Full sun from white, pink, yellow, orange, and red to bicolors, even coffee and tan
with a red eye. All prefer full sun, a good, well-drained soil, and regular feed-
ing. They are heat and wind tolerant but have only moderate tolerance to
• ZONE 2 drought and salt. Flowers are used in arrangements, sometimes skewered on
moderate water use a coconut leaf rib or placed in a shallow bowl. Water is not required. They are
• Malvaceae also a favored hair ornament.
(Hibiscus Family)

114
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensus ‘Madame Pele’

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Princess Hanako’ Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Higa Yellow’

115
 Coral Hibiscus,
Fringed Hibiscus,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Aloalo Ko‘ako‘a
Hibiscus schizopetalus

Reaching 15 feet in height, this tropical East African weeping hibiscus bears

• Color notes: Varying its unusual flowers all year. A number of hybrids are available showing the
colors, all with fringed parental fringed flower petals. While the species is sprawling and requires
flower petals a wide planting space, its hybrids tend to be more columnar in form. All
• Full sun must have full sun in a well-drained area. They are wind tolerant, moder-
ately drought tolerant, but not salt tolerant. They make beautiful specimen
plantings, excellent hedges, and screens. Flowers last only one day, but new
• ZONE 2 flowers are produced daily. Flowers are used in arrangements, frequently
moderate water use skewered on coconut leaf ribs.
• Malvaceae
(Hibiscus Family)

116
Hibiscus schizopetalus ‘Pink Butterfly’

117
 Cup and Saucer,
Chinese Hat Plant,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Parasol Flower
Holmskioldia sanguinea

Originating in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, this colorful, somewhat

• Good for the lei- sprawling evergreen shrub will reach a height of 30 feet. It flowers much
maker’s garden of the year. It may be used as a large hedge, screen, or as a color accent. Due

• Color notes: Colorful to its sprawling habit of growth, it is not suited for tailoring into a small
flowers, ranging from tree. Its flowers are used by the lei maker. The yellow cup and saucer (H.
red to yellow sanguinea ‘Citrina’) provides the same landscape uses. There are several
• Full sun other color forms in the red to yellow range. All fare best in full sun in a
well-drained soil. They are wind and heat tolerant, moderately tolerant of
drought, but not of salt.
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Verbenaceae
(Verbena Family)

118
Holmskioldia snaguinea ‘Citrina’

119
 Mock Orange,
Chinese Box,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Alahe‘e Haole
Murraya paniculata

A rather slow growing, large shrub native to the area from India east to the

• Good for the beach Philippines, mock orange will reach 25 feet in height. It is one of the most
garden popular plants for making a large hedge, screen, or windbreak or pruned

• Good for the lei- into a small tree form. It can be clipped into a tight shape or left to its natural
maker’s garden form of growth. It fares best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. A good,

• Good for the fragrant well-drained soil is preferred. Both foliage and its fragrant white flowers are
garden used in arrangements and in leis. It is wind tolerant but shows only moder-

• Color notes: Dark green ate tolerance to salt and drought.

foliage covered with
small, white flowers

• Full sun to light shade

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Evaluate

• Rutaceae
(Citrus Family)

120
121
 Oleander,
Common Oleander,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t ‘Oliana P + S +
Nerium oleander

Native to the broad area from the Middle East to Japan, this evergreen plant

• Good for the beach will attain 30 feet in height. It produces a dense shrub from new canes ris-
garden ing from the ground each year. It flowers profusely on new wood in colors

• Color notes: Evergreen ranging from white to pink, salmon, yellow, rose, red, and dark red. There are
foliage with profuse double- and single-flowered forms, fragrant flowers, and variegated foliage,
flowers in colors both green and white and green and yellow. Old canes should be removed
ranging from white to
to the ground to encourage new growth. Unwanted young canes should
pink, salmon, yellow,
and red be pulled rather than cut to reduce basal growth. Oleander is very heat and
drought tolerant and has good wind and salt tolerance. It makes an excellent
• Full sun to partial
shade hedge, screen, windbreak, a colorful mass planting or color specimen accent,
and is readily pruned into a small tree.

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

• S Irritant

122
123
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t

124
125
 Japanese Pittosporum,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Tobira
Pittosporum tobira

Originating from Japan and China, this large, tough evergreen shrub will

• Good for the beach slowly reach 25 feet in height. It does best in a good, well-drained soil in full
garden sun or light shade. It has good wind, salt, and drought tolerance, makes a

• Color notes: Glossy fine hedge, screen, or windbreak, and can be trained into a small tree shape.
evergreen foliage Branches may be used in arrangements. It fares better at cool elevations but

• Full sun to light shade also works well along the coast. It is useful both in the xeriscape and the
beach garden but does not perform well in pure sand.

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Evaluate

• Pittosporaceae
(Pittosporum Family)

126
127
 Crepe Jasmine,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Paper Gardenia
Tabernaemontana divaricata

This fast-growing evergreen shrub from northern India and eastward to

• Good for the night northern Thailand and southwestern China may reach 15 feet in height.
garden Growing well in sun or shade, it prefers a rich soil with good drainage. Its

• Good for the fragrant plentiful white flowers have a yellow throat and are fragrant at night. Its
garden wood is also fragrant and may be used for incense. It is useful as a hedge or

• Color notes: Evergreen screen, as a background planting, or it may be pruned into a small tree. It
foliage with fragrant shows moderate drought and wind tolerance but has no salt tolerance. There
white and yellow is a double form, the ‘Butterfly Gardenia’ (T. divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’).
flowers

• Full sun to shade

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

128
T. divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’

129
 Purple Vitex,
l a r g e s h r u b s ov e r 1 0 f e e t Arabian Lilac
Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’

Native to hot, dry areas of the Middle East to Australia, this tough shrub is

• Good for the beach wind, drought, and salt tolerant. It will grow to 25 feet in height and may be
garden shaped into a tree form. It grows rather rapidly, developing a dense crown of

• Color notes: Gray- somewhat fuzzy gray-green leaves that are purple on their undersides. Use
green foliage with this Vitex as a hedge, screen, low windbreak, or, as noted above, pruned into a
purple undersides small tree. It is good at the beach and thrives in sand, but does better in soil.
• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Verbenaceae
(Verbena Family)

130
131
 About Trees
As a general guide for the watersmart garden, trees are categorized
into the following three reasonable sizes: small, 15–30 feet; medium, to
50 feet; and large, over 50 feet. Another very important dimension is
the breadth of the canopy at maturity. Each species is genetically pro-
grammed to produce its size and shape. Regardless of age and height, it
will have a canopy in proportion. There are critical factors affecting this
relationship: proximity of other trees or structures, heavy trade winds,
and poor growth due to soil, water, and drainage deficiencies. At the
end of each species’ description, probable mature height and canopy
are indicated in parentheses. For example, “(Height 60/Canopy 75)” in-
dicates that this tree species will probably eventually attain 60 feet in
height and produce a canopy 75 feet across.
trees
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Yellow Bauhinia
Bauhinia tomentosa

Growing to a height of 30 feet, this bauhinia is moderately drought and

• Color notes: Pale wind tolerant but not salt tolerant. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil.
yellow flowers It flowers much of the year. Yellow bauhinia is useful in the xeriscape as a
throughout the year color accent or tall screen. It has been used as a street tree. It is native to the
• Full sun wide geographical range from tropical Africa eastward to China. It is a mod-
erate grower. (Height 30/Canopy 30)

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

134
 Dwarf Poinciana,
Pride of Barbados,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t ‘Ohai Ali‘iP, T
Caesalpinia pulcherrima

A small West Indian tree reaching 15 feet in height, this species flowers

• Good for the much of the year, bearing red or salmon-colored blooms. There is a yellow
lei-maker’s garden form, yellow dwarf poinciana (C. pulcherrima forma flava). All have good

• Color notes: Year- heat, salt, and drought tolerance. It flowers best if planted in full sun and is
round red, salmon, not particular as to soil as long as it is well drained. Use it as a bright color
or yellow flowers accent, hedge, or screen. Plant it where its flowers may be picked for lei
• Full sun making. (Height 15/Canopy 25)

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

• P Toxic

• T Thorns or spines

Caesalpinia pulcherrima forma flava

136
137
 Red Bottlebrush,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Crimson Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus

Bright red, bottle brush–shaped inflorescences up to 2 3/4 inches in length

• Color notes: Bright appear all year on the graceful “weeping” branches of this versatile
red inflorescences and Australian evergreen tree. New growth is colorful, showing pinkish or
evergreen foliage reddish leaves, somewhat silky hairs. It may reach 25 feet in height. It grows
• Full sun readily in a well-drained soil in full sun. It is drought and wind tolerant with
moderate tolerance to salt. It makes a good shade tree, color accent, or light
screen. (Height 25/Canopy 25)
• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Myrtaceae
(Eucalyptus Family)

138
139
 Red Cassia,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t
Red Laburnum
Cassia roxburghii

Red cassia is native to hot, dry places in south India and Sri Lanka. In a well-

• Color notes: Showy drained soil in full sun, it will reach 30 feet in height with a broad canopy.
red flowers in the It is a moderate grower. Its showy red flowers appear in late September-
autumn against a November when other trees are not in flower. It shows a fair tolerance
shade-producing
of wind and good tolerance of heat and drought. Use this fine tree in the
evergreen canopy
xeriscape as a color accent and for its shade-producing evergreen canopy.
• Full sun
(Height 30/Canopy 35)

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

140
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Autograph Tree
Clusia rosea

This tough tree, reaching 30 feet in height, is found throughout the Carib-

• Good for the beach bean. It is heat, wind, drought, and salt tolerant and will grow in almost any
garden soil, rock, or sand. The seed germinates readily in both wet and dry condi-

• Color notes: Broad tions on stone walls, tree crotches, and road cuts and is considered invasive
green foliage in many areas. It is indestructible in the xeriscape or the beach garden. It

• Full sun makes a fine screen, windbreak, or shade tree. The name “autograph tree” is
derived from the fact that if a leaf is scratched, it leaves a persistent white
mark. Leaves have been used as dinner table place cards and as a substitute
• ZONE 4 for playing cards. (Height 30/Canopy 50)
low water use

• Evaluate

• Clusiaceae
(Clusia Family)

142
143
 Kou Haole,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Geiger Tree
Cordia sebestena

Originating from tropical America and islands of the Caribbean, this colorful

• Color notes: Brilliant tree grows slowly to 30 feet in height. It bears clusters of brilliant orange-red
orange-red flowers flowers much of the year. It grows well in any soil with good drainage. It

• Full sun prefers full sun. Kou haole has good wind, salt air, and drought tolerance.
(Height 30/Canopy 20)

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Boraginaceae
(Borage Family)

144
145
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica

Growing rather slowly to 20 feet in height, this small tree from China and

• Good for the fragrant Japan develops a dense canopy of large, attractive foliage. At cool elevations,
garden small orange fruit appear in winter following flowering. Blooms are white

• Color notes: Dense and fragrant. It needs an open, well-drained soil and full sun. It is wind
green canopy with tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. In the garden it provides a foliar
white blossoms and accent and may be used as a screen, windbreak, and for its shade. (Height
small orange fruit
20/Canopy 20)
• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Evaluate

• Rosaceae
(Rose Family)

146
147
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Surinam Cherry
Eugenia uniflora

Growing slowly to 30 feet in height, this Brazilian tree finds many uses in

A NOTE ABOUT
the landscape. Abundant small, white flowers are followed by edible fruit
Erythrinas used to make drinks, jams, and jellies. Its small foliage is aromatic, its bark
Erythrinas are excellent garden
decorative. It may be used as a natural hedge, clipped into a tight form, or
subjects, and many species are
candidates for the xeriscape. In used as an accent. It grows best in full sun in an open, well-drained soil. It
2005, however, the erythrina gall
wasp (Quadristichus erythrinae) shows only moderate tolerance of drought. (Height 30/Canopy 25)
found its way to Hawai‘i, with
devastating results. Until the
recently released biological
controls have been established
islandwide, the planting of
Erythrinas is discouraged. Some
species appear to be resistant to
the pest and are so listed.

• Good for the fragrant

garden

• Color notes: Small,

white flowers,
decorative bark

• Full sun

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Myrtaceae
(Eucalyptus Family)

148
149
 Common Fig,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Fig Tree
Ficus carica

Cultivated since ancient times for its edible fruit, eaten either raw or dried,

• Good for the edible the fig reaches 30 feet in height. It is a moderate grower. Native to rocky, hot
garden dry areas of the Middle East, it is also valued for its shade. Two cultivars are

• Color notes: Green recommended for local gardens: ‘Excel’, a white fig, and ‘Kadota’, with purple
foliage with white or skin. The common fig is heat, wind, and drought tolerant. It figures in many
purple fruits legends and myths. It is credited with being mankind’s first clothing, as its
• Full sun leaves were strategically placed to hide Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Ancient
Greeks credited Bacchus with the creation of the fig. Ancient Egyptians be-
lieved that the fig was the favorite food of the Blessed Dead. Mohammed is
• ZONE 3 quoted as saying, “If I were to say that any fruit had come down from Para-
low water use
dise, I would say it of the fig.” (Height 30/Canopy 30)
• Moraceae
(Mulberry Family)

150
151
 Nānū,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Hawaiian Gardenia
Gardenia brighamii

An endangered Hawaiian endemic small tree, nānū is now found in only

• Native Hawaiian plant a few dry places in Hawai‘i. It will grow slowly to 20 feet or more, bearing
white, fragrant blossoms that are sought by the lei maker. It has attractive,
• Good for the lei-
maker’s garden dark green, dense foliage. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant. Plant nānū
in an open, well-drained loam in full sun. It figures in several old Hawaiian
• Good for the fragrant
garden accounts and legends. Plant it where the fragrance of its flowers can be
appreciated and accessible to the lei maker. Use it as a large shrub or small
• Color notes: Dark green
foliage with white tree. (Height 20/Canopy 20)
blossoms

• Full sun

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Rubiaceae
(Coffee Family)

152
153
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Lignum Vitae
Guaiacum officinale

Originating in dry parts of the Bahamas, Cuba, the West Indies, and northern

• Color notes: Evergreen South America, lignum vitae is a beautiful evergreen but slow-growing tree,
foliage, grayish-green reaching 30 feet in height. It produces masses of lavender-blue flowers in
bark with green late spring and summer followed by clusters of orange fruit that persist into
patches, lavender-blue
fall. Its bark is handsome: mature grayish-brown bark peels away in patches,
flowers, and clusters of
orange fruit exposing green, young bark. Lignum vitae has medicinal applications. Its
very hard wood is valued for use in fashioning hard-use articles. Plant it
• Full sun
where its flowers, fruit, and bark may be appreciated. It makes a good spec-
imen tree or color focal point. It is heat, wind, and drought tolerant but less
tolerant of salt. (Height 30/Canopy 40)
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Zygophyllaceae
(Lignum Vitae Family)

154
155
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica

Crape myrtle bears showy masses of flowers in summer. They range in

• Color notes: White, color from white to pink and lavender-purple. Its smooth bark is attractive,
pink, or lavender- showing splotches of tan and gray. Attaining 30 feet in height, it makes an
purple showy flowers excellent shade tree or color accent specimen. It is native to China. It is wind
• Full sun tolerant and moderately drought tolerant once well established. Although
not particular as to soil, crape myrtle produces best when given a friable,
deep soil with good drainage. Plant it in full sun. (Height 30/Canopy 30)
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Lythraceae
(Crape Myrtle Family)

156
157
 Black Tea Tree,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Revolution Gold Melaleuca
Melaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’

This is a sport of a rather common Australian melaleuca. It is valued for

• Color notes: Bright its bright yellow foliage. Growing moderately rapidly, it will reach 25 feet
yellow foliage in height, developing a dense, broad canopy. Plant it in full sun in an open,

• Full sun well-drained soil. It provides a strong color accent and may be used as a
windbreak or screen. It is wind tolerant but only moderately drought and
salt tolerant. (Height 25/Canopy 30)
• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Myrtaceae
(Eucalyptus Family)

158
159
 Noni,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Indian Mulberry
Morinda citrifolia

Possibly native to Southeast Asia, noni is now found in many tropical places.

• Good for the beach It has large, dark green foliage developed into a round canopy accented by
garden greenish-white large fruit valued for their medicinal properties. Unhappily,

• Color notes: Dark green fully ripe fruit emit a very unpleasant odor. Plant it downwind. It grows to
foliage with greenish- 20 feet in height and is readily pruned into a small tree. It thrives in any
white fruit open soil with good drainage as well as in lava. It is salt, wind, heat, and
• Full sun drought tolerant. Its dense growth makes it a candidate for use as a screen-
ing or windbreak plant. (Height 20/ Canopy 20)

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Rubiaceae
(Coffee Family)

160
161
 Bastard Sandalwood,
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Naio
Myoporum sandwicense

This moderately slow growing, extremely tough native species reaches 30

• Good for the beach feet in height and is best in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is wind, heat,
garden drought, and salt tolerant. Use it as an accent tree, hedge, screen, or wind-

• Good for the fragrant break. There is a low, creeping form that has the same characteristics. It is
garden listed under “Small Shrubs.” Naio wood, quite fragrant, was once tried as a

• Color notes: Dark green substitute for sandalwood during the last days of the trade with China when
foliage sandalwood was becoming scarce. The Chinese found it unacceptable. In

• Full sun traditional times, Hawaiians used its tough wood for framing houses. It is
an excellent choice for both the xeriscape and the beach garden. (Height 30/
Canopy 25)
• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Myoporaceae
(Naio Family)

162
163
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Bahamas PlumeriaP, S
Plumeria obtusa

A number of years ago, this tree was introduced from the Bahamas. It was

• Good for the beach then called Plumeria bahamensis, but it is now merged with Plumeria obtusa
garden (Singapore plumeria), a highly variable species. We are taking the liberty of

• Good for the fragrant listing it as the Bahamas plumeria because of its visual difference, which
garden is significant for the gardener. It is a moderate grower, reaching 25 feet in

• Color notes: Abundant height. Leaves are about a quarter the size of those of the Singapore plume-
white flowers ria. Its abundant flowers are white and fragrant and slightly smaller than

• Full sun those of the Singapore plumeria. Native to coastal areas of the Bahamas, it
is salt, wind, heat, and drought tolerant. It is a good candidate for both the
xeriscape and the beach landscape. Full sun is required for optimal growth.
• ZONE 4 (Height 25/ Canopy 30)
very low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

• S Irritant

164
165
sm a l l t r e e s 1 5 – 3 0 f e e t Silver Trumpet Tree
Tabebuia aurea

A popular Brazilian tree reaching 30 feet in height, this is a bright accent

• Color notes: Silver- in the xeriscape due to its silvery-gray-green foliage and abundant, strong
gray-green foliage yellow flowers. Both leaf and flower color is variable, however, with some
with yellow flowers seedlings producing less-silvery foliage and some with pale yellow flowers.
• Full sun Its bark is rough, furrowed, and attractive. Plant it in full sun in a soil with
good drainage. It shows moderate drought, heat, and wind tolerance. Newly
planted specimens should be well staked. (Height 30/Canopy 30)
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Bignoniaceae
(Catalpa Family)

166
167
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Hong Kong Orchid Tree
Bauhinia x blakeana

Reaching 40 feet in height, this hybrid from China flowers throughout the

• Color notes: Year- year, more abundantly during the cool months. It does not produce seed
round bright, pink- pods. It makes a good color accent or shade tree and shows moderate toler-
purple flowers ance of drought and wind but none to salt. It is used as a street tree and is
• Full sun a colorful accent in the landscape. Give it full sun and a well-drained soil.
(Height 40/Canopy 35)

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

168
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Colville’s Glory
Colvillea racemosa

A superb tree from Madagascar, Colville’s glory bears masses of bright

• Color notes: Bright orange spikes in October-November when most flowering trees have
orange spikes in finished blooming. It will attain 40 feet in height. Plant it in any light, well-
autumn drained soil in full sun. It flowers best in hot coastal areas. It is moderately
• Full sun wind tolerant and partially drought tolerant. (Height 40/Canopy 50)

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

170
 Buttonwood,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t
Silver Buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus

This very tough tree is native to the wide area from the Bahamas and

• Good for the beach southern Florida through the Caribbean to coastal Mexico and tropical West
garden Africa. It is variously described as a low shrub to a tree reaching 50 feet in

• Good for the night height. Local mature specimens of the species with dark green, leathery
garden leaves and a highly attractive twisting, deeply furrowed trunk have reached

• Color notes: Dark green 35 feet in height. Most commonly planted is a fuzzy, silver-leaved form from
or silver leaves against the Bahamas that has attained 25 feet in height. We have opted to place the
a twisting, deeply silver buttonwood in the medium tree category. The silver buttonwood re-
furrowed trunk
tains the trunk and branching characteristics of the green foliaged species.
• Full sun It is very wind and salt tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It forms
an excellent windbreak or shade tree for beach gardens with strong onshore
winds. Its foliage makes it a striking accent in the landscape, especially
• ZONE 3
when lighted at night. In the xeriscape, it has the same uses. Combine it
low water use
with plants with dark green, shiny foliage or near a dark stone wall.
• Combretaceae
(Height 35/Canopy 50)
(Combretum Family)

172
173
 Royal Poinciana,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Flamboyant
Delonix regia

A wide-canopied tree from Madagascar reaching 50 feet in height, the royal

• Color notes: poinciana is one of nature’s most spectacular flowering trees. Flower color
Spectacular flowers varies from a rich, deep red to medium red and brick red. There is a yellow
in various reds and flowered variety, D. regia var. flava. The University of Hawai‘i several years
yellows
ago released another spectacular color form: ‘Saipan Gold’. Flowers are a true
• Full sun gold (not yellow) and provide a brilliant splash of color in the dry garden.
Blooming is extended over several months and peaks during warm summer
periods. It performs best in hot coastal areas. Surface roots may extend as
• ZONE 3
far as the canopy. Give the royal poinciana plenty of ground space in the full
low water use
sun. A moderate grower, it prefers a well-drained, light soil. It is quite wind,
• Fabaceae
heat, salt, and drought tolerant. Use this tree as a strong color accent or for
(Bean Family)
developing an eye-catching grove in large properties. Its almost “ferny” foli-
age provides light shade. (Height 50/Canopy 100)

174
Delonix regina ‘Saipan Gold’ Delonix regia var. flava

175
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t False Olive
Elaeodendron orientale

Showing good wind tolerance and moderate tolerance to drought and salt,

• Good for the lanai the false olive will rather slowly reach 40 feet in height, forming a dense
garden canopy of oval-shaped, dark green leaves. Juvenile leaves are totally dissim-

• Color notes: Dark green ilar, displaying slender leaves marked with mahogany red. It makes a good
leaves with juvenile windbreak, screen, or general landscape tree for parks, schools, and medi-
leaves marked with um-sized gardens. It can also be tubbed for interior use in a room with good
mahogany red
light. The false olive tree is native to Mauritius. (Height 40/Canopy 30)
• Full sun to partial
shade

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Celastraceae
(Bittersweet Family)

176
177
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata

Reaching 50 feet in height, this handsome tree from tropical West Africa

• Good for the lanai or thrives in either sun or shade in a well-drained soil. It has moderate salt,
indoor garden wind, and drought tolerance. It is prized for its large decorative leaves. It is

• Color notes: Large, useful as a shade tree, screen, or windbreak. It is highly popular as a potted
green decorative or tubbed specimen for indoor use. (Height 50/Canopy 50)
foliage

• Full sun to full shade

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Moraceae
(Mulberry Family)

178
179
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Palmer’s Fig
Ficus palmeri

From very hot, dry places in western Mexico and Baja California, this 50-foot,

• Color notes: Lovely

wide-spreading tree produces a dense canopy and deep shade. Variously
green foliage described as a small to large tree, it is reasonable to expect that in the xeri-

• Full sun to light shade

scape, given a well-drained soil and a modicum of water, it will eventually
reach the greater size. It is a moderately slow grower. Use it as a shade tree, a
screen, windbreak, or accent tree in a large property. (Height 50/Canopy 100)
• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Moraceae
(Mulberry Family)

180
181
 Tamarindillo,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Wild Tamarind
Lysiloma latisiliquum

Native to the Bahamas, West Indies, and Mexico, this species will grow to

• Good for the beach 45 feet in height, developing a crown of fine-textured, almost lacey foliage.
garden Flowers, seen in spring, are white turning rose-pink. It produces a pleasant,

• Good for the night light shade permitting the growth of other species below. Its wood is hard
garden and valued by the cabinetmaker. It is wind, heat, drought, and salt tolerant.

• Color notes: Lacey It makes an excellent shade tree and can be used as a tall screening tree
foliage with white to for parks and large gardens for the xeriscape and beach garden. Its fine-
pink flowers foliaged canopy is attractive with up-lighting in the night garden. (Height
• Full sun 45/ Canopy 45)

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

182
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Madagascar Olive P
Noronhia emarginata

Reaching 35 feet in height, this remarkable olive from Madagascar is highly

• Good for the beach heat, wind, and salt tolerant and moderately drought tolerant. It is widely
garden used in beach gardens with an onshore, salt-laden wind, where it makes an

• Color notes: Smooth excellent specimen, windbreak, hedge, or screen. It fruits heavily, which may
green foliage with present a maintenance problem. Plant it over a deep ground cover that pro-
abundant green fruit duces heavy shade and may inhibit germination. The fruit pulp is edible, but
• Full sun to partial the seed is considered toxic. It grows well in pure sand and good, well-drained
shade soils and is at home inland as well as along the coast. (Height 35/Canopy 40)

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• Evaluate

• Oleaceae
(Olive Family)

• P Toxic seed

184
185
 Olive,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t ‘Oliwa
Olea europaea subsp. europaea

Native to the Mediterranean region, the olive tree will grow slowly to 50 feet

• Good for the night in height, developing a round-headed, evergreen canopy of soft, gray-green
garden foliage. It tolerates drought, heat, wind, and poor soils. It does not bear fruit

• Color notes: Evergreen at low elevations in Hawai‘i, which eliminates a maintenance problem. It
gray-green foliage does have a tendency to produce suckers, which must be kept cut away. It has

• Full sun been in cultivation for more than four thousand years and is noted in some of
man’s earliest writings. Greek mythology relates that Athens was named for
the goddess Athena, who produced the olive, the gift most useful to man. It is
• ZONE 3 the Greek symbol for victory. Olympic winners were crowned with a wreath
low water use of olive leaves. Its foliage is the Christian symbol of peace. It was an olive
• Evaluate branch carried by a dove to Noah signaling God’s forgiveness and the end of
the great flood. The olive provides good shade, windbreak, screening, and is a
• Oleaceae
(Olive Family) brilliant accent when up-lighted in the nightscape. (Height 50/ Canopy 50)

186
187
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Singapore Plumeria P
Plumeria obtusa

Its common name is misleading, for the Singapore plumeria is native to the

• Good for the beach West Indies. It will reach 35 feet in height, bearing large clusters of white,
garden fragrant flowers from spring through fall. The glossy, dark green foliage is

• Good for the fragrant partially evergreen. It will grow in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. It
garden is moderately drought tolerant. Use this species as a flowering accent where

• Color notes: Large its foliage is set off against a light background or structure. Flowers are used
clusters of white in arrangements but are too large and floppy for lei making. It withstands
flowers against dark onshore winds if given minimal protection. (See also Bahamas plumeria in
green foliage
“Small Trees”) (Height 35/Canopy 40)
• Full sun

• ZONE 3
low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

188
189
 Plumeria,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Temple Tree P
Plumeria rubra

Prized for its fragrant flowers used to make leis, this tropical American spe-

• Good for the beach cies will reach 35 feet in height. There are well over a hundred flower color
garden variations, ranging from white to light and dark pink, orange, yellow, gold,

• Good for the lei- red, and dark red. Bicolors, semidoubles, and dwarf forms are available. Trees
maker’s garden drop their foliage in late fall and produce great clusters of flowers just be-

• Color notes: Over fore refoliating in early spring, continuing flowering until late fall. Plumeria
one hundred color grows well in any well-drained soil in a sunny location. It is only moderately
variations, ranging drought, wind, and salt tolerant. Plumeria is valued in the garden for shade
from white to pink,
and as color accents. Entire branches may be cut for decorating and continue
orange, yellow, and red;
available as bicolors or flowering. In Aztec times, the flowers were used in ceremonials, and once
semidoubles consecrated, death was the penalty for a commoner who touched them. Vir-

• Full sun gins of Aztec noble families wore plumeria flowers in their hair. This rever-
ence has been carried into modern times, as garlands of plumeria flowers are
used in the month of May in Taxco to present to the Virgin Mary. The plume-
• ZONE 3 ria is Hawai‘i’s most popular homegrown lei flower. (Height 35/ Canopy 40)
low water use

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

Plumeria ‘Tillie Hughes’ Plumeria ‘Princess Victoria’

190
 Plumeria ‘Bali Whirl’

Plumeria ‘Donald Angus’

191
Plumeria ‘Keiki’

Plumeria ‘Hilo Beauty’

Plumeria ‘Penang Peach’

Plumeria ‘Pinwheel’
 Thornless Kiawe,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Algaroba
Prosopis pallida

Thriving in hot, dry areas, this tree from arid areas of northern Peru will

• Good for the beach reach 50 feet in height. In full sun and in well-drained soil, kiawe produces a
garden fine, light shade permitting the growth of other xeriphytes under its canopy.

• Color notes: Green It is a nitrogen fixer. Its attractive bark is furrowed, twisted, and rough. Its
foliage against wood is heavy, dense, and produces excellent charcoal. Most kiawe trees bear
attractive furrowed sharp spines. Fortunately for the xeriscaper, there is a spineless form that is
and twisted bark
readily propagated by cuttings or air layering. It is heat, drought, and moder-
• Full sun ately salt and wind tolerant. (Height 50/Canopy 50)

• ZONE 4
very low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

194
195
 Pink Bombax,
m e d i um t r e e s 3 0 – 5 0 f e e t Shaving-Brush Tree
Pseudobombax ellipticum

Unusual flowers, looking much like an old-fashioned shaving brush, appear

• Color notes: Unusual on this tropical Mexican tree during its leafless period from late winter to
pink flowers against early spring. New leaves are mahogany red, turning green while maturing.
an ornamental green, In addition to its pink flowers, it has a very ornamental, green, fissured
fissured bark, with
bark. It grows best in full sun in a fertile, well-drained soil. It has moderate
mahogany red new
leaves turning green drought, wind, and salt tolerance. There is a white-flowered form and one
with maturation with dark pink blossoms. Use this plant as a wonderful seasonal color accent

• Full sun where both its flowers and bark may be enjoyed. It may reach 40 to 50 feet
in height. It has traditional medicinal uses: a tea made from the flowers is
used to relieve fevers and coughs; the bark and root are used to treat tooth-
• ZONE 3 ache. (Height 40/ Canopy 40)
low water use

• Bombacaceae
(Bombax Family)

196
197
l a r g e t r e e s ov e r 5 0 f e e t Cardinal Tree
Barnebydendron riedelii

Native to hot, semidry places from Guatemala to Honduras, this partially

• Color notes: deciduous species will grow rapidly to 100 feet in height. During its brief,
Spectacular masses almost leafless period in winter and early spring, it becomes covered with
of scarlet flowers in masses of bright scarlet flowers. It fares best in dry leeward areas. It shows
winter and spring
moderate drought, heat, wind, and salt tolerance. Use this tree as a powerful
• Full sun color accent in the large landscape, in parks, around government buildings,
schools, and golf courses. It is also a good screening tree and windbreak.
(Height 100/Canopy 80)
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

198
l a r g e t r e e s ov e r 5 0 f e e t Rainbow Shower
Cassia x nealiae

Growing rapidly to 60 feet in height, this is one of the landscaper’s favorite

• Good for the beach trees. It is a Hawai‘i-bred cross between Cassia fistula and Cassia javanica
garden and flowers abundantly from spring to fall. There are four named selections,

• Color notes: Varieties all with persistent flowers:

with wonderfully ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, with bicolored blooms of deep cerise and yellow,
persistent flowers of is the most frequently planted cross and is the official tree of the City and
deep cerise and yellow,
County of Honolulu. It has not been seen to produce seed pods.
yellow-orange, pale
yellow to white, or gold ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ has flowers opening yellow-orange, fading to a bright
yellow with age. A few seed pods may appear but are not a problem.
• Full sun
‘Queen’s Hospital White’ displays flowers opening a pale yellow, fading to
almost white. A few seed pods may follow.
‘Nii Gold’ is a sport of ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, with deep gold flowers fading
• ZONE 3
low water use to strong yellow. Unlike the other Rainbow Showers, ‘Nii Gold’ has only a
one-to-two-month-long flowering period,
• Fabaceae
(Bean Family) which may occur anytime from spring to
fall. It produces very few seed pods.
Rainbow showers fortunately inherit the
drought tolerance displayed by one parent,
C. fistula. They are also wind tolerant but
not strongly salt tolerant, although they will
perform well just a block in from the ocean.
They are not particular about soil and will
thrive even in sand. Rainbow showers are
spectacular color accents and provide good
shade. (Height 60/ Canopy 60)

200
Cassia x nealiae ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’

Cassia x nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’ Cassia x nealiae ‘Queen’s Hospital White’

201
vines
 vines Common Allamanda P
Allamanda cathartica

A tropical American vine climbing to 50 feet bearing fragrant, yellow

• Good for the fragrant flowers all year, this species likes a loamy soil with good drainage. Usually
garden seen in well-watered places, it is, however, moderately tolerant of drought

• Color notes: and wind but is not tolerant of salt. A common cultivar is ‘Henderson’s
Year-round yellow Allamanda’ (A. cathartica ‘Hendersonii’). It will grow on a fence or pergola
flowers and can be used to cover a bank. Light pruning will make it bushier. Another
• Full sun to partial cultivar, ‘Stansell’s Double’, produces double flowers.
shade

• ZONE 2
moderate water use

• H(HPWRA)

• Apocynaceae
(Dogbane Family)

• P Toxic

204
 Allamanda cathartica ‘Stansell’s Double’

Allamanda cathartica ‘Hendersonii’

205
 Red Bauhinia,
vines Nasturtium Bauhinia
Bauhinia galpinii

An evergreen vine from tropical Africa climbing to 40 feet, this species is

• Color notes: Showy usually seen as a heavily pruned shrub at 15 feet in height. Its showy flowers
flowers from brick red are produced from spring into fall and are variously colored brick red to a
to yellow-red strong yellow-red. It grows best in a good, well-drained soil in full sun. It is
• Full sun an excellent pergola or strong trellis cover and can be used to make a tall
bank cover or, if pruned, a large, colorful accent shrub. It shows moderate
drought and wind tolerance but is not tolerant of salts.
• ZONE 3
low water use

• Fabaceae
(Bean Family)

206
207
 vines BougainvilleaT+
Bougainvillea hybrids

One of nature’s most popular productions, bougainvillea is planted world-

• Good for the lanai wide in the tropics and subtropics for the spectacular color of its hybrids. The
garden species (Bougainvillea spectabilis), a woody Brazilian native growing to 50

• Color notes: feet, is purple while hybrids vary in color from white through pink, orange,
Spectacular color gold, purple, lavender, and bicolors. There are “double-flowered” hybrids as
varying from white well as those with variegated foliage. Pruning and regular feedings enhance
through orange, gold,
flowering, which occurs on new growth. They are moderately drought, salt,
purple, lavender, and
bicolors and wind tolerant and perform well in a variety of soils with good drainage.
Bougainvillea is used as a large pergola cover, deep bank cover, or as a pro-
• Full sun
tective, high hedge. It can be espaliered on a high wall or trained along eaves.
It forms an effective barrier hedge. It is also a popular potted or tubbed spec-
imen. Almost constant pruning and feeding are required. If not sufficiently
• ZONE 3
low water use watered, all foliage drops. Increase applied water. Bougainvilleas are at the
top of the list for long-term flower color.
• Nyctaginaceae
(Four O’Clock Family)

• T Thorns or spines

Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice’ Bougainvillea spectabilis

208
Bougainvillea ‘Carmencita’ Bougainvillea ‘Miss Manila’

Bougainvillea ‘Mary Palmer’

209
Bougainvillea ‘California Gold’

210
Bougainvillea ‘Raspberry Ice’

211
Appendix A note: The text organizes plants
by use (i.e., ground covers, shrubs,
Plant List Organized by Zone
trees, etc.). This list of plants orga-
nized by zone will greatly assist
the gardener.
ZONE 2

Ground covers to 2 feet Small trees: 15–30 feet

Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis Callistemon citrinus
Tagetes patula Eriobotrya japonica
Eugenia uniflora
Small shrubs: 2–6 feet
Melaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis
Allamanda cathartica ‘Thai Dwarf’ Medium trees: 30–50 feet
Crinum asiaticum Bauhinia x blakeana
Cuphea ignea Elaeodendron orientale
Pittosporum tobira ‘ Wheeler’s Dwarf’ Ficus lyrata
Noronhia emarginata
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet
Galphimia gracilis Vines
Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’ Allamanda cathartica
Pseuderanthemum carruthersi (3 vars.)
ZONE 3
Large shrubs: over 10 feet
Acalypha wilkesiana Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet
Bixa orellana Gaillardia x grandiflora
Calliandra haematocephala Ipomoea cairica
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Plectranthus amboinicus
Hibiscus schizopetalus Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostrata’
Tabernaemontana divaricata Tradescantia spathacea

213
Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Medium Trees: 30–50 feet ZONE 4
Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’ Colvillea racemosa
Bougainvillea ‘Menehune’ Conocarpus erectus Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Hibiscus ovalifolius Delonix regia Aeollanthus repens

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’ Olea europaea subsp. europaea Callisia repens

Catharanthus roseus Plumeria obtusa Cyanotis somaliensis

Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’ Plumeria rubra Kalanchoe pumila

Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’ Pseudobombax ellipticum Zinnia palmeri

Rosmarinus officinalis Small shrubs: 2–6 feet

Large trees: over 50 feet
Wikstroemia uva-ursi Adenium swazicum
Barnebydendron riedelii
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Cassia x nealii Crassula ovata

Leucophyllum frutescens Lantana camara hybrids

Vines Myoporum sandwicense (creeping form)
Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’
Bauhinia galpinii Vitex rotundifolia
Plumbago auriculata
Bougainvillea hybrids
Rhaphiolepis indica
Rondeletia odorata
Strelitzia reginae

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Carissa macrocarpa
Codiaeum variegata
Duranta erecta
Holmskioldia sanguinea
Murraya paniculata
Pittosporum tobira

Small trees: 15–30 feet

Bauhinia tomentosa
Cassia roxburgii
Cordia sebestena
Ficus carica
Guaiacum officinale
Lagerstroemia indica
Tabebuia aurea

214 Appendix A
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Small trees: 15–30 feet
Adenium multiflorum Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Adenium obesum Clusia rosea
Adenium somalense Gardenia brighamii
Agave attenuata Morinda citrifolia
Clerodendrum inerme Myoporum sandwicense
Kalanchoe beharensis Plumeria obtusa (Bahamas)
Scaevola taccada
Medium trees: 30–50 feet
Large shrubs: over 10 feet Ficus palmeri
Bontia daphnoides Lysiloma latisiliquum
Calotropis gigantea Prosopis pallida (thornless)
Calotropis procera
Dodonaea viscosa
Nerium oleander
Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’

Plant List Organized by Zone 215

Appendix B
Xeriscape Plants for Hedges,
Windbreaks, and Screens

Large shrubs (over 10 feet) Small trees (15–30 feet)

Zone 2 : note: Canopy reduction (not topping)

Acalypha wilkesiana may be required to promote and main-
Bixa orellana tain foliage at levels necessary to produce
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis screening.
Tabernaemontana divaricata

Zone 3 : Zone 3 :
Carissa macrocarpa Ficus carica
Codiaeum variegatum Guaiacum officinale
Duranta erecta
Murraya paniculata Zone 4 :
Pittosporum tobira Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Clusia rosea
Zone 4 : Gardenia brighamii,
Bontia daphnoides Gardenia latifolia
Calotropis gigantea Morinda citrifolia
Calotropis procera Myoporum sandwicense
Nerium oleander Plumeria obtusa (Bahamas)
Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’

217
Medium trees (30–50 feet) Large Trees (over 50 feet)

Zone 3:
note: Underplanting may be necessary Barnebydendron riedelii
to maintain full screening. Cassia x nealiae

Zone 2:
Elaeodendron orientale
Noronhia emarginata

Zone 3:
Conocarpus erectus
Olea europaea subsp. europaea
Plumeria obtusa

Zone 4:
Lysiloma latisiliquum

218 Appendix B
Appendix C note: Following are lists of colors
for easy access to desired plants.
Colors for the Xeriscape
The lists cover flowers, fruit, and
foliage organized by use (ground
cover, shrub, tree, vine) as well as
zone.

Yellow

Ground covers Large shrubs: over 10 feet Large trees: over 50 feet
Tagetes patula flowers zone 2 Acalypha wilkesiana foliage zone 2 Cassia x nealiae ‘Lunalilo Yellow’;
Zinnia palmeri flowers zone 4 Bixa orellana seed pods zone 2 ‘Queen’s Hospital White’; ‘Nii Gold’.
Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3 ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, the most
Small shrubs: 2–6 feet
Duranta erecta ‘Gold’ foliage and fruit widely planted, has bicolored petals:
Allamanda cathartica ‘Thai Dwarf’
zone 3 yellow on the inside, cerise on the
flowers zone 2
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hybrids outside. Flowers. zone 3
Hibiscus ovalifolius flowers zone 3
flowers zone 2
Lantana camara hybrids flowers zone 4 Vines
Holmskioldia sanguinea flowers zone 3
Allamanda cathartica flowers zone 2
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet Nerium oleander flowers zone 4
Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3
Galphimia gracilis flowers zone 2
Small trees: 15–30 feet
Pseuderanthemum carruthers var.
Bauhinia tomentosa flowers zone 3
reticulatum foliage zone 2
Caesalpinia pulcherrima flowers zone 4
Meleleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’
foliage zone 2
Tabebuia aurea flowers zone 3

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Delonix regia var. flava flowers zone 3
Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3

219
Orange

Ground covers Large shrubs: over 10 feet Medium trees: 30–50 feet
Gaillardia x grandiflora flowers zone 3 Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3 Colvillea racemosa flowers zone 3
Tagetes patula flowers zone 2 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3
zone 2
Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Vines
Holmskioldia sanguinea flowers zone 3
Lantana camara hybrids flowers zone 4 Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3
Small trees: 15–30 feet
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet
Cordia sebestena flowers zone 3
Rondeltia odorata flowers (bi-color)
Eriobotrya japonica fruit zone 2
zone 3
Guaiacum officianale fruit zone 3
Strelitzia reginae flowers (bi-color) zone 3

220 Appendix C
Red

Ground covers Large shrubs: over 10 feet Medium trees: 30–50 feet
Gaillardia x grandiflora flowers zone 3 Bixa orellana fruit zone 2 Delonix regia flowers zone 3
Tagetes patula flowers zone 2 Calliandra hematocephala flowers zone 2 Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3
Carissa macrocarpa fruit zone 3
Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Large trees: over 50 feet
Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3
Adenium swazicum flowers zone 4 Barnebydendron riedelii flowers zone 3
Dodonaea viscosa fruit zone 4
Bougainvillea ‘Temple Fire’ flowers zone 2
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers Vines
Catharanthus roseus flowers zone 3
zone 2 Bauhinia galpinii flowers zone 3
Cuphea ignea flowers zone 2
Nerium oleander flowers zone 4 Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3
Wikstroemia uva-ursi fruit zone 3
Small trees: 15–30 feet
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet
Cassia roxburgii flowers zone 3
Adenium multiflorum flowers zone 4
Adenium obesum flowers zone 4
Rondeletia odorata flowers (bicolor)
zone 3

Colors for the Xeriscape 221

Pink

Ground covers Large shrubs: over 10 feet Medium trees: 30–50 feet
Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers Plumeria rubra flowers zone 3
flowers zone 2 zone 2 Pseudobombax ellipticum flowers zone 3
Hibiscus schizopetalus hybrids flowers
Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Vines
zone 2
Adenium swazicum flowers zone 4 Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3
Nerium oleander flowers zone 4
Catharanthus roseus flowers zone 3
Plumeria ‘Petite Pink’ flowers zone 2 Small trees: 15–30 feet
Lagerstroemia indica flowers zone 3
Medium shrubs: 6–10 feet
Adenium somalense flowers zone 4
Leucophyllum frutescens flowers zone 3
Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’ flowers
zone 3

222 Appendix C
Lavender-Violet Blue

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet Medium shrubs: to 6–10 feet
Cyanotis somaliensis flowers zone 4 Aeollanthus repens flowers zone 4 Plumbago auriculata flowers zone 3
Kalanchoe pumila flowers zone 4 Rosmarinus oficinalis ‘Prostratus’ flowers Strelitzia reginae flowers (bicolor) zone 3
zone 3
Large shrubs: over 10 feet Large shrubs: over 10 feet
Calotropis gigantea, C. procera flowers Small shrubs: 2–6 feet Duranta erecta ‘Geisha Girl’ flowers
zone 4 Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis zone 3
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis hybrids flowers flowers zone 2
Small trees: 15–30 feet
zone 2 Rosmarinus officinalis flowers zone 3
Guaiacum officinale flowers zone 3
Small trees: 15–30 feet
Lagerstroemia indica flowers zone 3

Vines
Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

Colors for the Xeriscape 223

Purple

Ground covers and shrubs to 2 feet

Catharanthus roseus flowers zone 3
Crinum asiaticum foliage/fruit zone 2
Tradescantia spathacea foliage zone 3

Small shrubs: 2–6 feet

Bougainvillea ‘Menehune’ flowers zone 2

Large shrubs: over 10 feet

Codiaeum variegatum foliage zone 3
Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’ foliage zone 4

Medium trees: 30–50 feet

Bauhinia x blakeana flowers (bicolor)
zone 2

Vines
Bougainvillea hybrids flowers zone 3

224 Appendix C
Appendix D note: Following each listing is an (A) or (B). An (A) indi-
cates tolerance of onshore, salt-laden winds; (B) indicates
Xeriscape Plants for the
tolerance of such winds with protection from direct con-
Beach Garden tact, such as a strong windbreak or a structure.

Ground covers Small shrubs: Medium shrubs:

and shrubs to 2 feet 2–6 feet 6–10 feet

Zone 2: Zone 2: Zone 2:

Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis (A) Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis (B) Galphimia gracilis (B)
Crinum asiaticum (A) Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’
Zone 3:
Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’ (in soil only) (A)
Gaillardia x grandiflora (A)
(in soil only) (A) Pseuderanthemum carruthersi (B)
Ipomoea cairica (A)
Plectranthus amboinicus (B) Zone 4: Zone 3:
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostrata’ (B) Adenium swazicum (A) Leucophyllum frutescens (B)
Tradescantia spathacea (B) Crassula ovata (A) Nerium oleander ‘Petite Pink’ (B)
Lantana camara hybrids (A) Plumbago auriculata (B)
Zone 4:
Myoporum sandwicense (creeping) (A) Rhaphiolepis indica (B)
Cynanotis somaliensis (B)
Vitex rotundifolia (A) Strelitzia reginae (B)
Kalanchoe pumila (A)
Zinnia palmeri (A) Zone 4:
Adenium multiflorum (A)
Adenium obesum (A)
Adenium somalense (A)
Agave attenuata (A)
Clerodendrum inerme (A)
Kalanchoe beharensis (A)
Scaevola taccada (A)

225
Large Shrubs: Medium Trees:
over 10 feet 30–50 feet

Zone 2: Zone 2:
Acalypha wilkesiana (B) Noronhia emarginata (A)

Zone 3: Zone 3:
Carissa macrocarpa (A) Conocarpus erectus (A)
Murraya paniculata (B) Plumeria obtusa (B)
Pittsporum tobira (A) Plumeria rubra (B)

Zone 4: Zone 4:
Bontia daphnoides (A) Lysiloma latisiliquum (A)
Calotropis gigantea, C. procera (A) Prosopis pallida (B)
Dodonaea viscosa (B)
Nerium oleander (B)
Large Trees:
Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’ (A)
over 50 feet

Small Trees: Zone 3:

15–30 feet Cassia x nealiae (B)

Zone 4:
Clusia rosea (A)
Morinda citrifolia (A)
Myoporum sandwicense (A)
Plumeria obtusa ‘Bahamas’ (A)

226 Appendix D
Appendix E:
Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a term describing the estimated 0.25 inches (0.5 x 0.5 = 0.25) for the day, which is the amount
total amount of water lost to the atmosphere through the of water that would need to be applied over the tree’s effective
combined processes of evaporation from the plant surfaces root zone (from the trunk out to at least the canopy drip line)
and soil in the plant’s root zone and water lost as vapor or for normal growth.
gas through stomata in the plant’s leaves. This amount of lost Because irrigation on a daily basis is horticulturally
water usually needs to be replaced, all or in part, for normal unsound, irrigation managers typically wait until daily ETc
growth. The amount of lost water is typically expressed as accumulates to about 50 percent of available water held in the
a depth in inches (or millimeters) over a specified period of upper foot of soil before replacing that amount of water in an
time. Many states and water agencies generate and provide irrigation event. For example, clay soils have about 2 inches of
ET data, which irrigation managers and other landscape available water per foot of soil profile. Thus, our tree growing on
professionals can use to help them more accurately schedule a clay soil would be irrigated when daily ETc accumulates to 50
irrigation frequencies and run times to apply only the amount percent of this amount, or 1 inch (0.5 x 2.0 = 1.0). If daily ETc con-
of water needed. tinued to accumulate at 0.25 inches per day as in our example
Many factors affect ET, including weather (temperature, above, our tree would be irrigated after four days (1.0 ÷ 0.25 = 4),
relative humidity, solar radiation, wind, etc.); soil conditions and then 1 inch of water would be applied at that time.
(texture, structure, etc.); and the plant species. Because so Many agencies provide ETc data for numerous sites
many factors affect ET, it is impossible to have one set of ET on a daily or real-time basis through online access of
data that is reliable for all plant species at all sites under all computer-driven weather stations. Historical ETo data, based
conditions. Thus, scientists have developed the concept of on numerous years of records, are also sometimes available.
reference ET (ETo), which is the amount of ET from a stan- Unfortunately, specific Kc values for many landscape plant
dardized grass surface (tall fescue) at a given site. ET amounts species are lacking. However, general Kc values for most
for individual plant species are a percentage of the ETo. This non–rain forest and nondesert plants range from 0.5 to 0.75.
percentage is called a crop factor or crop coefficient (Kc) and is Desert plants will have lower and rain forest plants higher Kc
used to calculate the ET for a particular plant species (ETc). For values. Keep in mind that ET data is just one of several tools
example, if the Kc for a particular tree species was 0.5 and the that irrigation managers have at their disposal to help them
ETo was 0.5 inches for the day, the ETc for that tree would be schedule irrigations accurately.

227
Appendix F:
Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Project (HPWRA)

This is a joint project of the University of Hawai‘i and Kau- “H(HPWRA)” indicates that the listed species is “likely to
lunani Urban and Community Forestry, a program of the be invasive in Hawai‘i.” This is a prediction but lacks in-the-
State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, field evaluation, and therefore it is not yet documented. These
Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the U.S. Department species include Duranta erecta (golden dewdrop), Eugenia
of Agriculture Forest Service. The intent of the project is to uniflora (Surinam cherry), and Morinda citrifolia (noni). If inva-
identify plants that pose a high weed risk in Hawai‘i. There siveness is seen, both parent plant and all seedlings should be
are five basic designations: “L”; “L(Hawai‘i)”; “H(Hawai‘i)”; destroyed.
“H(HPWRA)”; and “Evaluate.” Several species are in the project’s “Evaluate” list and
The first three designations are not used in this volume’s have been included in the text. The “Evaluate” list reflects lack
species listings. “L” and “L(Hawai‘i)” indicate that the species of important information or the difficulty of assessing them
is not currently recognized as invasive. “H(Hawai‘i)” indicates using the WRA project system. They are, however, valuable
that the species is “documented to cause significant eco- landscape species and include Clusia rosea (autograph tree),
logical or economic harm to Hawai‘i.” These species are not Eriobotrya japonica (loquat), Murraya paniculata (mock
recommended by the authors for planting, even though they orange tree), Noronhia emarginata (Madagascar olive), and
are commonly used landscape species. They include Psidium Pittosporum tobira (Japanese pittosporum).
cattleianum (strawberry guava), Psidium guajava (common
guava), Schefflera actinophylla (octopus tree), and Schinus
terebinthifolius (Christmas berry tree).

229
Suggested Reading

Barwick, Margaret. Tropical and Subtropical Trees: An Encyclo- Llamas, Kirsten A. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Iden-
pedia. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2004. tification and Cultivation. Portland, OR: Timber Press,
Brock, John. Native Plants of Northern Australia. Victoria, Aus- 2003.
tralia: Reed Books, 1993. Meade, Ginny, and David L. Hensley. “Mulching for Healthier
Carter, S., L. E. Newton, J. J. Lavanos, and C. C. Walker. Aloes: The Landscape Plants.” Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Co-
Definitive Guide. London: Kew Publishing, in Association operative Extension Service Catalogue, October 1991- L-3.
with the British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2011. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/L-3.pdf.
Denver Water Department. Xeriscape Plant Guide. Golden, CO: Rauch, Fred D., and Paul Weissich. Plants for Tropical Land-
Fulcrum Publishing, 1996. scapes. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2000.
Dimmit, Mark A., and Chuck Hansen. The Genus Adenium in ——— . Small Trees for the Tropical Landscape. Honolulu:
Cultivation. Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, University of Hawai‘i Press, 2009.
2007. Rauh, Werner. Succulent and Xerophytic Plants of Madagascar,
Ellefson, C., T. Stevens, and D. Welsh. Xeriscape Gardening: 2 vols. Mill Valley, CA: Strawberry Press, 1998.
Water Conservation for the American Landscape. New Sajeva, Maurizo, and Mariangeela Costanza. Succulents.
York: Macmillan, 1992. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2001.
Folsom, Debra Brown, et al. Dry Climate Gardening with Succu- Shuler, C. Low Water Use Plants for California and the South-
lents. New York: Huntington Botanical Gardens, Pantheon west. Cambridge, MA: Fisher Books, 1993.
Books, Knopf Publishing Group, 1995. Staples, George W., and Derral R. Herbst. A Tropical Garden
Isley, Paul T. III. Tillandsia. Gardena, CA: Botanical Press, 1987 Flora. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 2005.
Jacobson, Hermann. A Handbook of Succulent Plants. 3 vols. Wagner, Warren L., Derral R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. Manual
Mill Valley, CA: Strawberry Press, 1998. of the Flowering Plants of Hawai‘i. 2 vols. Honolulu:
Jones, Warren, and Charles Sacamano. Plants for Dry Climates. Bishop Museum Press, 1990.
Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books, 2000. Whitelock, Loran M. The Cycads. Portland, OR: Timber Press,
Little, Jim. Growing Plumerias in Hawai‘i. Honolulu: Mutual 2002.
Publishing, 2006.

231
Index

A B ‘Temple Fire’, 34–35, 214, 221

‘a‘ali‘i, 110–111 Bahamas plumeria, 164–165, 215, 217, 226 ‘Butterfly Gardenia’, 128–129
Acalypha wilkesiana, 96–97, 213, 217, Barnebydendron riedelii, 198–199, 214, 218, 221 buttonwood, 172–173
219, 226 bastard sandalwood, 162–163
‘Picotee’, 96–97 Bauhinia C
achiote, 98–99 galpinii, 206–207, 214, 221 Caesalpinia pulcherrima, 136–137, 215, 217
Adenium tomentosa, 134–135, 214, 219 forma flava, 136–137, 219
multiflorum, 64–65, 215, 225 x blakeana, 168–169, 213, 224 Calliandra haematocephala, 102–103,
obesum, 66–67, 215, 225 beach morning glory, 12–13 215, 221
somalense, 68–69, 215, 222, 225 beach naupaka, 92–93 Callisia repens, 4–5, 214
somalense var. nova, 69 beach vitex, 60–61 Callistemon citrinus, 138–139, 213
swazicum, 28–29, 214, 221, 222, 225 beach zinnia, 24–25 Calotropis
Aeollanthus repens, 2–3, 214, 223 beefsteak plant, 96–97 gigantea, 104–105, 215, 217, 223, 226
african lily, 30–31 bird of paradise, 94–95 procera, 104–105, 215, 217, 223, 226
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis, Bixa orellana, 98–99, 213, 217, 219, 221 cape leadwort, 84–85
30–31, 215, 223, 225 black tea tree, 158–159 cape plumbago, 84–85
Agave attenuata, 70–71, 215, 225 blanket flower, 8–9 cardinal tree, 198–199
‘Variegata’, 70–71 blue plumbago, 84–85 Carissa macrocarpa, 106–107, 214, 217,
‘ākia, 62–63 Bontia daphnoides, 100–101, 215, 217, 226 221, 226
‘alaea, 98–99 Bougainvillea, 208–211 ‘Prostrata’, 36–37, 214
alahe‘e haole, 120–121 ‘California Gold’, 210 ‘Variegata’, 37
algaroba, 194–195 ‘Carmancita’, 209 Cassia
Allamanda cathartica, 204–205, 213, 219 hybrids, 208–211, 214, 218, 220, 221, 222, roxburghii, 140–141, 214, 221
‘Hendersonii’, 204–205 223, 224 x nealiae, 200–201, 214, 218, 226
‘Stansell’s Double’, 204–205 ‘Mary Palmer’, 209 ‘Lunalilo Yellow’, 200–201, 219
aloala ko‘ako‘a, 116–117 ‘Menehune’, 34–35, 214, 224 ‘Nii Gold’, 200–201, 219
Arabian lilac, 130–131 ‘Miss Manila’, 209 ‘Queen’s Hospital White’, 200–201, 219
autograph tree, 142–143 spectabilis, 208 ‘Wilhelmina Tenney’, 200–201, 219

233
Catharanthus roseus, 38–39, 214, 221, D flamboyant, 174–175
222, 224 Delonix regia, 174–175, 214, 221 flower dust plant, 14–15
Chinese box, 120–121 ‘Saipan Gold’, 174–175 French marigold, 20–21
Chinese hat plant, 118–119 var. flava, 174–175 fringed hibiscus, 116–117
Chinese hibiscus, 114–115 desert rose, 66–67
cigar flower, 44–45 Dodonaea viscosa, 110–111, 215, 219, 221, 226 G
Clerodendrum inerme, 72–73, 215, 225 dragon tree agave, 70–71 Gaillardia x grandiflora, 8–9, 213, 220, 221, 225
Clusia rosea, 142–143, 215, 217, 226 Duranta erecta, 112–113, 214, 217, 223 garden safety, xvii
Codiaeum variegatum, 108–109, 214, 217, ‘Geisha Girl’, 112–113, 223 Galphimia gracilis, 74–75, 213, 219, 225
219, 220, 221, 224 ‘Gold’, 112–113, 219 Gardenia brighamii, 152–153, 215, 217
Colvillea racemosa, 170–171, 214, 220 ‘Golden Edge’, 112–113 geiger tree, 144–145
Colville’s glory, 170–171 var. alba, 112 giant lily, 42–43
common allamanda, 204–205 ‘Variegata’, 112–113 giant milkweed, 104–105
common fig, 150–151 dwarf oleander, 80–81 glory bower, 72–73
common hibiscus, 114–115 dwarf olive, 52–53 golden dewdrop, 112–113
common oleander, 122–125 dwarf poinciana, 136–137 Guaiacum officinale, 154–155, 214, 217, 220, 223
Conocarpus erectus, 172–173, 214, 218, 226 dwarf Singapore, 56–57
copper leaf, 96–97 H
coral hibiscus, 116–117 E Hawaiian gardenia, 152–153
Cordia sebestena, 144–145, 214, 220 Elaeodendron orientale, 176–177, 213, 218 Hibiscus
crane flower, 94–95 Eriobotrya japonica, 146–147, 213, 220 ovalifolius, 46–47, 214, 219
crape myrtle, 156–157 Eugenia uiflora, 148–149, 213 rosa-sinensis, 114–115, 213, 217, 219, 220,
Crasssula ovate, 40–41, 214, 225 221, 222, 223
creeping naio, 50–51, 214, 225 F ‘Higa Yellow’, 115
creeping rosemary, 18–19 false eranthemum, 86–87 ‘Madam Pele’, 115
crepe jasmine, 128–129 false olive, 176–177 ‘Princess Hanako’, 115
crimson bottlebrush, 138–139 felt bush, 76–77 schizopetalus, 116–117, 213, 222
Crinum asiaticum, 42–43, 213, 224, 225 Ficus ‘Pink Butterfly’, 117
croton, 108–109 carica, 150–151, 214, 217 Holmskioldia sanguinea, 118–119, 214, 220
crown flower, 104–105 lyrata, 178–179, 213 ‘Citrina’, 118–119, 219
Cuban oregano, 16–17 palmeri, 180–181, 215 Hong Kong orchid tree, 168–169
cup and saucer, 118–119 fiddle leaf fig, 178–179
Cuphea ignea, 44–45, 213, 221 fig tree, 150–151 I
Cyanotis somaliensis, 6–7, 214, 223, 225 firecracker plant, 44–45 impala lily, 64–65

234 Index
inch plant, 4–5 Olea europaea
lignum vitae, 154–155
Indian hawthorn, 88–89 ‘Little Ollie’, 52–53, 214
lipstick plant, 98–99
Indian mulberry, 160–161 subsp. europaea, 186–187, 214, 218
loquat, 146–147
invasive species, xvii oleander, 122–125
Lysiloma latisiliquum, 182–183, 215, 218, 226
Ipomoea ‘oliana, 122–125
cairica, 10–11, 215, 225
pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis, 12–13,
M olive, 186–187
‘oliwa, 186–187
Madagascar olive, 184–185
213, 222, 225 oyster plant, 22–23
Madagascar periwinkle, 38–39
irrigation. See xeriscape concepts
maintenance. See xeriscape concepts
Melaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’,
P
J 158–159, 213, 219
Palmer’s fig, 180–181
Jacob’s coat, 96–97 paper gardenia, 128–129
mock orange, 120–121
jade plant, 40–41 parasol flower, 118–119
Morinda citrifolia, 160–161, 215, 217, 226
jade tree, 40–41 petite pink plumeria, 56–57, 214, 222
Moses in the cradle, 22–23
Japanese pittosporum, 126–127 pigeon berry, 112–113
mulching. See xeriscape concepts
pink bombax, 196–197
Murraya paniculata, 120–121, 214, 217, 226
K Myoporum sandwicense, 50–51, 162–163,
Pittosporum tobira, 126–127, 214, 217, 226
Kalanchoe ‘Variegata’, 82–83, 213, 225
215, 217, 226
beharensis, 76–77, 215, 225 ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’, 54–55, 213, 225
‘Fang’, 77
pumila, 14–15, 214, 223, 225
N plant selection. See xeriscape concepts
Plectranthus amboinicus, 16–17, 213, 225
naio, 162–163
koali, 10–11 Plumbago auriculata, 84–85, 214, 223, 225
nānū, 152–153
kolokolo kahakai, 60–61 ‘Alba’, 85
nasturtium bauhinia, 206–207
kou haole, 144–145 ‘Midnight Blue’, 84
natal plum, 106–107
Plumeria
naupaka, 92–93
L naupaka kahakai, 92–93
‘Bali Whirl’, 191
Lagerstroemia indica, 156–157, 214, 222, 223 ‘Donald Angus’, 191
Nerium oleander, 122–125, 215, 217, 219,
Lantana camara, 48–49, 214, 219, 220, 225 ‘Hilo Beauty’, 192
221, 222, 226
large jade plant, 40–41 ‘Keike’, 192
‘Petite Pink’, 80–81, 214, 222, 225
lehua haole, 102–103 obtusa, 164–165, 188–189, 214, 218, 226
noni, 160–161
Leucophyllum frutescens, 78–79, 214, ‘Penang Peach’, 193
Noronhia emarginata, 184–185, 213, 218, 226
222, 225 ‘Petite Pink’, 56–57, 214, 222
‘Silver Cloud’, 79
‘White Cloud’, 79
O ‘Pinwheel’, 193
‘Princess Victoria’, 190
‘ohai ali‘i, 136–137

Index 235
 rubra, 190–193, 214, 219, 220, 221, 222, 226 S ‘Tricolor’, 22
‘Tillie Hughes’, 190 sabi star, 64–65 ‘Variegata’, 22–23
pōhuehue, 12–13 Scaevola taccada, 92–93, 215, 225
poison bulb, 42–43 shaving-brush tree, 196–197 V
pride of Barbados, 136–137 silver buttonwood, 172–173 variegated false eranthemum, 86
Prosopis pallida, 194–195, 215, 226 silver trumpet tree, 166–167 variegated Japanese pittosporum, 82–83
prostrate carissa, 36–37 Singapore plumeria, 188–189 velvet leaf, 76–77
Pseuderanthemum carruthersii, 86–87, 213, 225 site preparation. See xeriscape concepts Vitex
var. atropurpurium, 86–87 Somalia desert rose, 68–69 rotundifolia, 60–61, 214, 225
var. reticulatum, 86–87, 219 sorcerer’s bush, 72–73 trifolia, 130–131, 217
var. variegatum, 86–87 Spanish thyme, 16–17 ‘Purpurea’, 130–131, 215, 224, 226
Pseudobombax ellipticum, 196–197, 214, 227 spider lily, 42–43
pua kalaunu, 104–105 spray of gold, 74–75 W
pua kı̄ kā, 44–45 Strelitzia reginae, 94–95, 214, 220, 223, 225 Wikstroemia uva-ursi, 62–63, 214, 221
purple false eranthemum, 86 var. juncea, 94–95, 220, 223, 225 wild tamarind, 182–183
purple vitex, 130–131 summer impala lily, 28–29
Surinam cherry, 148–149 X
R swan’s neck agave, 70–71 xeriscape concepts
rain barrel program, xii irrigation, xii, xiii
rainbow shower, 200–201 T maintenance, xix
Rain of gold, 74–75 Tabebuia aurea, 166–167, 214, 219 mulching, xi
red bauhinia, 206–207 Tabernaemontana divaricate, 128–129, plant selection, xiv
red bottlebrush, 138–139 213, 217 site preparation, xii
red cassia, 140–141 ‘Flore Pleno’, 128–129 zoning, xi
red hibiscus, 114–115 Tagetes patula, 20–21, 213, 219, 220, 221
red laburnum, 140–141 tamarindillo, 182–183 Y
red powderpuff, 102–103 temple tree, 190–193 yellow bauhinia, 134–135
Rhaphiolepis indica, 88–89, 214, 225 Texas ranger, 78–79 yellow veined false eranthemum, 86
Rock’s hibiscus, 46–47 Thai dwarf allamanda, 32–33, 213, 219
Rondeletia odorata, 90–91, 214, 220 thornless kiawe, 194–195 Z
rosemary, 58–59 tobira, 126–127 Zinnia
Rosmarinus officinalis, 58–59, 214, 223 Tradescantia spathacea, 22–23, 213, 224, 225 maritima, 24
‘Prostratus’, 18–19, 213, 223, 225 ‘Compacta Tricolor’, 22–23 palmeri, 24–25, 214, 219, 225
royal poinciana, 174–175 ‘Dwarf’, 22 zoning. See xeriscape concepts

236 Index
About the Authors

Fred D. Rauch is emeritus professor of ornamental horticul- Paul R. Weissich, A.S.L.A., is a licensed landscape architect
ture at the University of Hawai‘i, where he served as State whose familiarity with tropical landscape species has result-
Extension Specialist in Horticulture for twenty-five years. He ed in numerous consultant assignments. From 1957 to 1989 he
served as advisor to the Hawai‘i Association of Nurserymen was director of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, where he ex-
and helped found and served as adviser to the Landscape panded the two-garden system from 50 to 650 acres covering
Industry Council of Hawai‘i. He served on the boards of the four sites of differing ecological situations. He also increased
Friends of Foster Garden, the Halawa Xeriscape Garden, and the plant collection to a position of international recognition.
was board member and president of the Western Region of Weissich coauthored Plants for Tropical Landscapes and Small
the International Plant Propagators Society. He was honored Trees for the Tropical Landscape with Fred Rauch and Na Lei
with the 1994 Malama ‘Aina Award by the Hawai‘i Chapter Makamae: The Treasured Lei with Marie McDonald. He also
of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Dr. Rauch wrote Majesty II: The Exceptional Trees of Hawai‘i.
grew up on a farm in a small town in Oregon and is a gradu-
ate of Oregon State and Iowa State Universities. He has been
involved with the study of temperate and tropical ornamental
plant material for almost sixty years and their photographs
for about forty-five years. He currently resides in Oregon.
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