Add fall color with flowering plants

Living in Hawaii, we don’t see the brilliant fall colors ablaze in the forests and gardens of the mainland. Especially this year with all the rain, even Kona is still green.

So, now is the time for nursery and garden store shopping, where you can find some great ideas for bringing the feeling of fall into our gardens.

Where nights are cool and days frequently cloudy, try some of the fancy new imaptiens hybrids. The New Guinea hybrids are especially attractive. These new hybrids are much more compact and flower abundantly. They come in all flower colors and have multicolored leaves as well.

Other impatiens on the market include the traditional types hybridized to be compact and floriferous.

Fall in Hawaii is colorful, with African tulip and Rainbow Shower trees in bloom, but things could be a lot brighter with crotons, bougainvillea and hibiscus.

Besides the many tropical ornamental trees and shrubs available, you also might consider colorful annuals for your garden.

Many of the annual summer flowers prized most on the mainland are at their best here from November to May. These annuals usually are tolerant of cool weather. Since the winter temperature never goes extremely low, they thrive here, especially at higher elevations.

Some, like the marigold, are great the year around. They are especially good for sunny dryer locations.

The marigold is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It grows well and is popular in every state of the Union and also in every civilized country of the world.

When Cortez conquered ancient Mexico, he found marigolds growing there. The gorgeous golden marigolds were so beautiful that Cortez took seeds with him back to Spain. There, marigolds became the favorite flower of the devout to place at the altar of the Virgin Mary, and because of that they were called Mary’s gold and then became known as marigolds.

Seeds of marigolds were taken to every civilized country of the world. They were so easy to grow and so beautiful, they grew popular everywhere.

In India, marigolds became, and still are, the favorite flower to put in leis to place around a person’s neck to indicate friendship, and because of that they have become known as friendship flowers.

Many different types of marigolds, from big flowered American and smaller flowered, so called “French,” odor and odorless, are available at your local garden supply store.

Marigolds, zinnias, petunias and many other annuals with bright blooms are natural for adding color. You also can expand the beauty and interest of your floral borders by including easy to grow foliage plants.

What are some of the best to add color and texture contrast?

Coleus immediately comes to mind and is probably the most popular. Little wonder, it’s so versatile and vivid.

The plants with their brilliantly patterned leaves are flashy in sun or shade. You’ll especially appreciate how coleus can transform problem shady spots into rainbows of color. Use it to beautify areas along the north or east sides of your house or garage or in containers on shady porches or patios, even under trees.

Coleus also can take direct sun in cooler gardens. It is just as much a favorite houseplant as it is a garden subject.

How about a temporary “hedge” or background for annual flowers?

Kochia, commonly called Burning Bush, might be just the answer. The symmetrical plants grow about 2 1/2 feet tall, are oval shaped and resemble small ornamental evergreens. An added bonus is that their fine, light-green foliage turns bright crimson-carmine in cool weather

Other interesting foliage annuals you’ll want to consider are:

• Euphorbia, or Snow on the Mountain. This is easy to grow in dry soil and is attractive with its refreshing green and white leaves on plants about 2 feet tall.

• Santolia chamaecyparissus, or Lavender Cotton, makes a nice low “hedge.” Plants grow about 18 inches tall and have finely divided, aromatic, silvery-gray foliage and small globular yellow flowers. Handled as an annual in the north, this is a perennial in Hawaii.

Seeds of many annuals can be purchased at our local garden shops.

You can sow seeds of such annuals in boxes, pots or outdoors. If you use some sort of container, make certain drainage is good. You can sow the seeds in vermiculite, peat moss, sand or mixtures of these. You also can buy plants already started at several garden stores and nurseries in the area.

If you start your own plants, water them, when seeds are in place, and cover containers with a piece of glass or plastic, then place in a protected location away from direct sunlight. In a few days, the seed will germinate and more light will be needed to prevent leggy and poorly colored seedlings.

When the first pair of true leaves develop, it is time for transplanting. Set the tiny plants in pots or plant bands. Later, plant them outdoors in their permanent location.

Important events today include two potluck lunch horticultural programs.

At the Keeau Community Center, the Hawaii chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is inviting those interested in tropical vireyas to attend. All attendees will get a tropical rhododendron to take home. Call President Bill Miller at 982-8290 for details.

The Hawaii Chapter of the American Bamboo Society is meeting at the home of Dr. Dickran Boranian, who has built a bamboo coffee drying house and planted scores of rare bamboos in his garden. This is a potluck lunch and a great opportunity to see bamboo used in construction. The meeting location is at 75-5648-B Mamalahoa Highway about 1 mile north of Holualoa.

For further information, or if you get lost, call 895-3974.

This weekly column is provided by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.