In the Garden
Rick Barboza
’Uki
LATIN NAME
Cladium jamaicense
Description: Tall, gorgeous, dark green sedges with very narrow serrated blades that gently curve back. The plant sends out rhizomes horizontally, which emerge above the surface as solitary bunches. The flowers, or spikelets, are golden brown clusters that protrude up on tall stems above the plant.
Distribution: This is an indigenous sedge found on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii. Its natural habitat is usually in wet areas such as marshes, ponds and stream banks.
Landscape use and care: These sedges look great in any water feature or any place with wet soil. I've used them as accent plants, but their beauty can detract from what they are intended to accent. Don't let the plant's natural watery habitat fool you; as long as there is lots of sunlight and regular watering, this plant will do fine.
I don't even know of any pests that bother it. Got a constant wet spot in your yard that won't let anything grow? Try 'uki.
Also: There are several different species of native monocots called 'uki or that have 'uki as part of its name. For example, a native sedge (Machaerina mariscoides) called 'ahanui also goes by the name 'uki.
Rick Barboza is co-owner of Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a native Hawaiian plant nursery. Contact him at 259-6580 or e-mail rickckbarboza@aol.com.
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Check out the latest
garden, home trends
Take Dad to see the newest home innovations as a Father's Day outing, as Pacific Exposition presents the 27th annual Home & Garden Show June 17 through 20 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.
Some of the highlights include:
» Furniture made of palm wood and leather by Pure Pacific Hawaii.To see more of what's in store, check the Web site at www.pacificexpos.com.» Hawaiian petroglyphs on designs by Architectural Lava.
» Kokua Care Handy Pro handyman service.
» The latest trends in home garage organization by 1 Hot Garage, a company that does the work for you or guides you with ideas and products you can buy to do it yourself.
» Walk-in tubs perfect for every member of the family from Safety Direct Tubs.
» Ironing system by Press Professional.
Exhibition hours are 5 to 10 p.m. June 17 and 18; 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. June 19; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 20, a day dads can get a special treat of a free massage between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission is $4 for adults; $3 for seniors, military and children 7 to 12; and free for children under 7.
Call 945-3594 for more information.
Gardening Calendar
