In The Garden Guest Writers

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Flowers make shrub stand out

Description: Often dense shrubs, 4 to 8 feet tall, with soft, light green foliage and leaves and branches that are somewhat velvety to the touch. The most appealing feature is its flowers, which range from dark maroon to bright yellow. The blossom pictured is practically white, with pink edges on the petals. The flowers are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide and emerge from the leaf axis, hanging upside down. The plant blooms most of the year, with sometimes hundreds of flowers seen at once on a single plant. If enough flowers are gathered, a subtle, sweet fragrance is noticeable.

HUI KU MAOLI OLA

Distribution: Ko'oloa'ula is extremely rare in the wild, found in scattered, minute populations in dry forests of Lanai, East Maui and the Big Island. A previously undocumented population was discovered in 1981 in an abandoned sugar cane field in Ewa. This plant is on the federal endangered species list.

Cultural uses: Not much is known about the cultural uses for this plant, but the flowers of other members within its family (Malvacea) were used as a mild laxative, especially for children and babies. The striking flowers can also be strung into a stunning lei.

Landscape uses and care: A must-have for any plant collector, weekend garden warrior or anyone interested in having a unique Hawaiian plant. It can be purchased at Home Depot for about $12.

Ko'oloa'ula thrives in full sun and dry areas. When watering, it is best to soak the ground and then not water again until the soil completely dries out. If your garden is prone to rose beetles, place this plant in an area where a light shines at night, for instance, under a porch light or landscape lighting. This should prevent any beetle damage without resorting to pesticides. Also watch for aphids and whiteflies.

Additional info: The main reason this plant is on the endangered species list is lack of suitable habitat -- only about 5 percent of the native lowland dry forest remains throughout the state.