In The Garden
Guest Writers
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Ground cover will thrive in sunny sites
Nehe
Wollastonia inegrifolia
syn. Lipochaeta integrifolia
Description: A low, beautiful, crawling ground cover, 3 to 6 inches tall, that is herbaceous at the tips with rigid leaves and a semi-woody base. It also has silvery-green foliage and many bright yellow miniature sunflowers.
HUI KU MAOLI OLA
Nehe resemble Wedelia.
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Distribution: This plant is endemic to Hawaii, meaning it is found here and nowhere else. It is fairly common and grows on the coastlines of all the main Hawaiian islands as well as Kure Atoll and Laysan in the Northwestern Islands.
Landscape use and care: Like most of us in Hawaii, nehe loves bright sunny days. That is why it spends all its time at the beach.
Plant it in the sunniest part of your yard or garden in well-drained soil, and it will thrive. Even if the area is near the coast and hit with strong winds and salt, it will be happy. Initially, a good soaking every other day will help this plant establish quickly.
When the plant begins to show signs of new growth, slowly reduce the amount of watering. In one to two months you should only have to water twice a week at most. Overwatering will make the plant grow too quickly, making it look leggy or sparse. Full sun along with the advised watering schedule will make the plant look full and healthy.
If using this plant as a ground cover, 1 foot on center is the recommended spacing. As the plant grows and spreads, roots often develop wherever the nodes hit the dirt; this helps stabilize the soil, preventing erosion. This plant also looks great in a hanging basket.
More info: This plant, along with other members of the same genus, are often referred to as native Wedelia, mostly because of the similarity of their flowers.
Rick Barboza co-owns Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a native Hawaiian plant nursery, with Matt Schirman. Contact him at 259-6580 or e-mail
rickbarboza@aol.com.