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Garden Spotlight
Kula Botanical Gardens
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From the
Spring 2006 MALP Newsletter
By:
Susi Mastroianni
Certified Arborist
If we are lucky we get to plant a tree and watch it grow into adult hood,
Helen and Warren McCord have had that experience since 1968, as owners
of the Kula Botanical Garden. What started as a show garden for Warrens
landscape architecture career has evolved into much more.
The gardens sit within 24 acres of rolling hills and valleys. Rock out
croppings bear testimony to natures power, creating some areas with deep
rich topsoil and others with hardly any at all. Warren has certainly augmented
this by building many rock walls and planting beds throughout the
garden. I think he may still have a few more planned!
The garden opened to the public in 1972. There is
parking available, restrooms and a gift shop selling made in Maui
items, snacks and beverages. As a landscaper the value is in the
design concepts and ideas you can view and the selection of plants
to see and learn about. Labeling of the plants with common and
scientific names is a great educational tool. If you are designing,
installing or maintaining a garden in Kula, a trip to the gardens is
well worth it. What grows there will probably grow in the surrounding
area and elevation. Taking clients through gardens is
a great way to get their likes and dislikes, color preferences and
overall tastes.
I was fortunate
to see the sloping
hills of the Christmas tree farm. This income supports the
passion of the garden. What was originally a windbreak has
turned into a working farm. Each year the McCord family has
been supplying hotels, homes and families of Maui with a gorgeous
Monterey Pine trees to decorate for Christmas. Generations
of local school kids have helped earn pocket money by
loading trees in cars and trucks.
Warren’s hospitality
was gracious
and we enjoyed our
time in the garden
sharing its history
and story. We also
met Jeffery McCord
who has picked up his fathers clippers and shovel and is continuing with
the ongoing creation of the garden. He showed us the orchid and anthirium
house with many wonderful orchids in bloom and spotted throughout is
their collection of pig-tailed
anthurium. The fuchsia garden
has just undergone its annual haircut but will be in full bloom later in
the season. The garden also boasts bromeliads, Protea, Banksia and much
more.
A walk down to the koi pond will show you the origin of the
garden and what Warren had seen as the inspiration to buy the land in the
first place. With “human size’ water falls and natural rock outcroppings
nature had inspired a garden. The koi are flourishing in the pond and a
patch of bold red amaryllis catches your eye further up the steam bank.
I hope you take the opportunity to visit the gardens and if something
catches your eye ask to speak with the gardeners – they are happy
to share.
Kula Botanical Gardens
Open 7 Days a week 9am – 4pm
638 Kekaulike Avenue, Kula, Maui
Tel: 808 878 1715
See more Susi Mastroianni articles:
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