Works consulted in preparing the book include Rock’s “Ornamental Trees of Hawaii,” and his “Indigenous Trees of Hawaii”; Marie Neal’s book, “In Honolulu Gardens” and Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticulture.
PAGE _Introduction_ Where to See Hawaiian Flowers 11 _Chapter I_ Hawaii’s Own Flower, The Hibiscus 17 _Chapter II_ The Blossoming Trees 23 _Chapter III_ Native Trees 39 _Chapter IV_ Tropical Shrubs 47 _Chapter V_ Colored Foliage Shrubs 65 _Chapter VI_ Flowering Vines 71 _Chapter VII_ Ginger Blossoms 87 _Chapter VIII_ Special Tropical Flowers 93 Index 103
OPPOSITE PAGE _Plate I_ Hibiscus 16 _Plate II_ Flowering Trees 16 _Plate III_ Flowering Trees 16 _Plate IV_ Flowering Trees 16 _Plate V_ Native Trees 48 _Plate VI_ Tropical Shrubs 48 _Plate VII_ Tropical Shrubs 48 _Plate VIII_ Tropical Shrubs 48 _Plate IX_ Tropical Shrubs 64 _Plate X_ Colored Foliage Shrubs 64 _Plate XI_ Flowering Vines 64 _Plate XII_ Flowering Vines 64 _Plate XIII_ Flowering Vines 80 _Plate XIV_ Ginger Blossoms 80 _Plate XV_ Special Tropical Flowers 80 _Plate XVI_ Special Tropical Flowers 80
Introduction WHERE TO SEE HAWAIIAN FLOWERS?
If you are already in Hawaii, this question will seem purely rhetorical, since the answer is so obviously, “Anywhere.” There are few places indeed, in the islands, where flowers of some sort are not in sight. Mostly, of course, these are the Hibiscus, but you will soon notice others and the quest for new ones is apt to develop into a full-sized hobby. For the benefit of newcomers, a few of the gardens, parks and drives where you will find many Hawaiian trees and flowers are given here. By the time you have covered these places, you will know how to go on by yourself.
Few finer, tropical gardens can be found in the Islands than the one which forms a setting for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel at Waikiki. Not only does it contain a very large assortment of trees, shrubs and special tropical plants, many of them rare, but it has been laid out to make the very most of the charm inherent in the words “tropical garden.” There are cool, green, jungle depths, gorgeous blossoms and wide shady lawns, all beautifully maintained.
To see these gardens it is best to start at the hotel steps, facing the coconut grove. This particular group of palms probably contains the oldest ones in Honolulu, some of the tallest, slender trees being estimated at well over a hundred years in age. Hawaiian kings kept their surf boards in the shade of these trees. In the early days, indeed, they were almost the only trees of any kind in the city. Old pictures show a dusty, sun-baked expanse between Honolulu harbor and Waikiki, with this grove standing up conspicuously. The luxuriant green growth of gardens which now mantles Honolulu is something comparatively recent in its existence, the result of a water system and an interest in gardens.