LYON ARBORETUM
Red hibiscus "Kalola," above, as well as heliconia, ginger, fruit trees and more will be on sale at the Lyon Arboretum Summer Plant Sale being held at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13. For information, call 988-0464.
The Arboretum will be releasing a new hibiscus cultivar, Hibiscus "Kalola," at our Annual Summer Plant Sale, July 13 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. I developed this new cultivar as part of a research program started by Bob Hirano, associate specialist, now retired, to develop native Hawaiian plants suitable for home gardens. In The Garden: Hibiscus Kalola
By Liz Huppman
Description: Named H. kalola after fellow staff member, Carol Nakamura, agriculture research technician in the Arboretum greenhouse, it has beautiful, rich red flowers about 3 inches in diameter and makes an excellent potted plant or accent plant in the garden. This plant requires a location with at least half a day of direct sun and good drainage. If protected from hot afternoon sun, the flowers will last two days.
Size: Shrub to small tree. Prune to desired height.
Care: Full to partial sun. Well-drained soil.
Distribution: This new hibiscus was derived from two native Hawaiian hibiscus species found only on Kauai: Hibiscus kokio subspecies saintjohnianus which is usually orange, and H. kahilii, a pinkish-red species (considered by some botanists to be a form of H. kokio).
The Hawaiian Islands are home to seven native Hibiscus species, six are endemic (found only in Hawaii). Unfortunately, two species are on the endangered species list: the yellow flowered H. brackenridgei, our state flower, and the small, red flowered H. clayi.
Liz Huppman is research associate at Lyon Arboretum.
"In the Garden" is a Friday feature about flora written by field experts.
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