Today is Mother’s Day, and if you forgot any of those favorite women in your life, you are in real trouble!
Trying to wrack your brains for just the right last-minute gift can be frustrating. On top of that, there are birthdays, Father’s Day, weddings, Boy’s Day, Girls’ Day and the need for gifts any time we visit a friend’s home.
Don’t panic. Relax and be creative at the same time.
Sunday is a great time to visit garden shops and nurseries to find a gift for Mom. You’d be surprised at how many different live plants make the perfect gifts for those special friends and relatives.
With a little love and care, you can give a gift that really has some meaning. All the foliage plants might be spruced up with bright ribbons and clever cards, but some plants are more in keeping with the special occasion than others.
In giving living plants, use your imagination with the containers, decorations and wrapping. You can put more love into this type of gift than most others.
First and foremost, flowers are a natural.
Hydrangeas are traditional for Mom. Most folks think of hydrangeas as a cool-climate shrub that does best in Volcano, Kaloko Mauka and Waimea, but they can be grown almost anywhere in Hawaii given enough water and some shade in warmer lowland areas.
Orchids, bromeliads and anthurium varieties are appropriate as well. Then, there are hibiscus varieties, with flowers from white to red and yellow and every color in between. The many gardenia varieties with white flowers and green leaves on pendulous branches make a fragrant gift. The cinnamon, tiare and endemic Hawaiian gardenias are favorites. Some azaleas and several new tropical rhododendrons are even on the market.
Another interesting foliage is the Snow Queen Hibiscus with its variegated white and green leaves and red flowers. There are dozens of hibiscus varieties available. Crotons and bougainvillea also can be given to add garden color.
Many palms make great gifts, too.
The pygmy date palm gives a tropical look and stays small. There are hundreds of species of palms, and they fit well into our tropical Indo-Pacific landscapes. One of the favorites is the red crown sealing wax palm.
Other palms include the Manila palm, with its red fruit, and Chambeyronia from New Caledonia, with its bright-red new leaf. Then, there are the petite Licuala, Pinanga, areca and dozens of other varieties. We actually grow more palm species in Hawaii than any other place in the United States. This is thanks to the International Palm Society and nursery folks such as Jeff Marcus, who introduced to Hawaii palms that are on the verge of extinction in their place of origin.
Thus, Hawaii is like a Noah’s Arc where these species can thrive. By the way, if you think your loved one would like to help in the conservation of palms or other groups of plants, there are local chapters of organizations such as the Hawaii Chapter, American Rhododendron Society; Hawaii Island Palm Society; Hawaii Chapter, American Bamboo Society; and the island’s orchid societies. A gift of membership to one or all of these would be very special.
Potted, blooming orchid plants and bromeliads are just a few plants you might consider to use in the home, and when their color wanes, place them in your tropical garden.
The fun of giving plants to Mom, a sister, a daughter or your wife is that you can then plan together for how to best present them in your home or garden. It is a bonding experience for those who prepare and give the gift as well as the special lady who receives it.
In getting your gifts ready, start with the right container.
Wooden tubs are excellent since wood prevents rapid drying out of the soil. Jardinieres usually lack drainage holes, which can cause a watering problem. Clay pots are fine and can be painted to blend with the colors in your home. Brass and copper are ideal for table and mantle arrangements.
But, as these containers are usually small, pay careful attention to supplies of water and fertilizer.
Some beautiful large pots created by Mark Kimball, local farmer and artist, are available through several garden centers and nurseries. They are formed of concrete, but some of his creations look like ancient Chinese urns.
When choosing plants, consider the person receiving the gift. Select varieties that will withstand adverse growing conditions, especially if the gift is for a novice.
Conditions such as low light intensity, extremes of temperature and dry air must be considered for a house plant. Some folks claim to have a brown thumb instead of a green one, but a Sanseveria plant given to one “brown thumber” several years ago is still alive after being placed in a dark corner and watered about once a month.
This would be a great gift for your mother-in-law because it is very slow growing and almost impossible to kill. Though, come to think about it, I would think twice before giving it to your wife’s mom, fellows, since it is also referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue. It actually does resemble a tongue, but it can get up to 2 feet in length.
If you run out of time, as a last resort you might consider a gift certificate from a local nursery for flowers or plants.
To be satisfactory, plants must do more than merely survive. They must maintain an attractive appearance with a minimum of care. For problem interiors, check with your local garden center or nursery to help you make the right choice.
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For more information about gardening and landscaping, contact one of our master gardeners at 322-4892 in Kona or 981-5199 in Hilo.
