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Beautiful island lily
hardy as well

'Uki'uki Dianella sandwicense

Description: This beautiful native lily grows up to 3 feet tall. It has dark green narrow leaf blades measuring about an inch and a half at the base, tapering to a slender tip. When in bloom it sends up a central stalk covered with small purple-and-yellow flowers. Once pollinated, these develop into dark purple berries an inch in diameter. This lily grows in a clump and stays full and compact. Once it flowers, about a year after it germinates from seed, it tends to bloom continuously.

Distribution: This indigenous plant is found in several locations from lowland dry forests to higher wet forests. In fact, I've seen it growing on the beach, around naupaka, as well as in the marsh on the top of Mount Kaala.

Cultural uses: The leaves can be used for thatching, while the berries make a nice blue dye for kapa. As delicious as the berries look, don't eat them. They're not ono at all and would turn your whole mouth blue; trust me.

HUI KU MAOLI OLA 'Uki'uki is available at all Home Depot and Wal-Mart stores in Hawaii, retailing for about $6.

Landscape uses and care: This is one of the most versatile plants you can have. It does well in almost any growing condition, from full sun to full shade, outdoors to indoors, with moderate to little amounts of water. I prefer to use it as an accent around large boulders or at the base of larger plants and shrubs. You can even plant it as a mass ground cover, but because it grows as a clump and not a runner, you will need lots of it to cover an area.

The only pests to watch out for are white scales and mealy bugs. This problem can be treated with any store-bought pesticide, but ants are likely bringing them to the plants, so make sure you treat the ant problem as well.

This plant's flexibility makes it ideal for any landscape. I think its popularity will increase with more awareness.

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