Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 12, 2015

From: Kihei, HI
Region: Hawaii
Topic: Plant Lists, Shrubs
Title: Flowering shrub for Kihei, Hawaii
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Kihei Hawaii, near the beach but across the road from it. I am looking for a hedge that flowers, can be trimmed is dense and grows rather quickly. 3-4ft in height. We have bougainvillia now and want another option possibly.

ANSWER:

All of the following are either endemic or indigenous to Hawaii and all occur on the island of Maui according to the USDA Plants Database.

Capparis sandwichiana (Native caper)  Hawaiian name: maiapilo

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Gardenia brighamii (Forest gardenia)  Hawaiian name:  nau

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Gossypium tomentosum (Hawai'ian cotton)  Hawaiian name:  mao

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Hibiscus kokio ssp. kokio (Red rosemallow)  Hawaiian name:  kokioulaula

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Lysimachia hillebrandii (puahekili)  Hawaiian name:  kolokolo kuahiwi

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from  Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database.

 

Nototrichium sandwicense (Hawai'i rockwort)  Hawaiian name:  kulu`i

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Hawai'i hawthorn)  Hawaiian name:  `ulei

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Scaevola gaudichaudii (ridgetop naupaka)  Hawaiian name:  naupaka kuahiwi

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Vitex rotundifolia (roundleaf chastetree)  Hawaiian names:  pohinahina; polinalina; kolokolo kahakai; mawanawana

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

You can read about Hui Kū Maoli Ola, the Hawaiian native plant nursery on Oahu and there is a native plant nursery on Maui, maui Native Nursery.

 

More Plant Lists Questions

Removing St. Augustine for natives in Grapevine TX
September 29, 2012 - We have St Augustine in our yard and we hate it. It guzzles water, we have to cut it often, and it's thick and hard to work with. Anyway, we want to replace it with a combination of some kind of g...
view the full question and answer

Plant fans for choosing native plants for the Central Texas region
January 05, 2008 - Has anyone created a plant "fan" that identifies and gives pertinent information on plants for the Central Texas region? The sample that I've found on fourpebblepress.com seems to cover the Rocky ...
view the full question and answer

Climbing Roses for the Pacific Northwest
January 23, 2016 - I'm trying to find out which types of climbing roses may exist in the Pacific Northwest. I live in western Washington, and I have a small yard with several large hedges bordering it. I'm growing hai...
view the full question and answer

Plants for Shady Clay soil in Illinois
June 18, 2012 - Could you recommoned native plants for clay soil and shade near Chicago?
view the full question and answer

Vines for Madison, Wisconsin
March 12, 2015 - What are some good options for non-aggressive native vines for southern Wisconsin? I am looking for something that can cover a chain-link fence and benefit local insects. I don't want it to take ov...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.