 |
Garden Spotlight
The Maui Nui Botanical Garden
|
|
From the
Winter 2005 MALP Newsletter
By:
Susi Mastroianni
Certified Arborist
 The pale green buildings that dot the landscape at the
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens are a reminder of the origins
of this cultural heritage. They held the animals that
made up the old Maui Zoo and Botanical Gardens. But
while the fates of the animals were being debated, the
plants around them grew. Planted by the visionary Rene
Sylva, and sustained today by Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond
and her band of dedicated gardeners, you can see
several large native trees scattered
about the garden as well
as other native shrubs that have
needed the passage of time to
attain their stature.
The garden was the first
in the State to include mainly
Hawaiian natives in its design.
Today there are more than
250 Hawaiian endemic, indigenous
and Polynesian introduced
plants. This includes about 40 varieties of sugar cane,
15 varieties of bananas and about 35 known taro varieties.
Tamara Sherrill is a gifted propagator and through
her efforts in the nursery, hundreds of natives are being
provided to gardeners around the island. On Saturday,
November 5, The Gardens will be hosting the annual
Arbor Day tree give-away from 9:00 until 12:00. 1,000
trees will be given away and there will be many plant
experts available to answer questions, as well as information
booths and demonstrations. Watch out for the
Plants Sales. As if the plants weren’t enough there is a
playground for keiki , shaded picnic areas, and strolling
paths to lead you through the garden.
 |
The volunteer programs, led
by Tina Barnes, greatly contribute to
the gardens’ well kept appearance. They
have the infamous Weed and Pot Club,
which provides volunteers with a monthly
guest speaker after they have toiled their
time in the soil. Healthy exercise and an education in an
easy two hour volunteer effort. Membership to the Gardens
puts you on their mailing list and you receive their
great newsletter as well as information about upcoming
events, plant sales and workshops.
 So if you are a plant nut like me or you are interested in including natives into your landscapes, the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is the place to go to see natives in action. Entrance is free but donations are welcomed. At the entrance there is a wonderful guide to the gardens with a numbered tour detailing the plant names and ethnobotanical information.
The Maui Nui Botanical Garden
150 Kanaloa Ave (Opposite the War Memorial)
Kahului, HI, 96733
Tel: 808 249 2798
Hours: Mon – Sat 8am – 4pm
See more Susi Mastroianni articles:
| |
|
