Resources for Native Plants
Posted 10/19/22 at 11:09h in by Kawena Elkington
Hawaii’s native ecosystems have been under severe attack for well over 200 years now. However, Kupu’s numerous programs are engaged in conservation projects across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Region, including native habitat restoration. On March 20th, Kupu is hosting Lau Kupu Day, a hybrid engagement opportunity that includes a native plant pick-up drive thru!
There are a number of reasons to learn about and grow native plants:
– Our flora are the most endangered in the world, and native plants grown in their proper zones will be able to flourish with much less water than many exotic species, resulting in lower water usage
– Once native plants are established they require less maintenance than non-native plants (less fertilization and pruning)
– About 90% of our flora is found nowhere else in the world. Including native plants in the landscape can strengthen our unique cultural and ecological heritage
– Awareness of native Hawaiian plants will increase important cultural understanding, appreciation and respect for Hawaiian history and culture
It’s important to note the following state laws governing cultivated threatened and endangered native plants:
– Never plant cultivated native plants back into the wild. We need to keep the wild populations genetically the same and not change them by introducing different genetic strains or diseases or pests which can be transferred by cultivated strains.
– Never collect seeds or plants from the wild. Collecting plants only further decreases the wild populations and they do not transplant well. Seeds should be obtained through botanic gardens, nursery stock and from private gardens where they are being legally grown.
Recommended Resources:
Why Native Plants? http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/general/why
Filter your planting ideas (one of them is native), and search by color, life form, salt tolerance, water requirements, and elevation on the Plant Pono website.
Poster highlighting some of the many Hawaiian plants that may be appropriate for landscaping, along with a brief introduction to their uses, planting techniques, and cultural significance: https://19of32x2yl33s8o4xza0gf14-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/OHA_Native_Plant_Poster_Web.pdf
Best Native Plants for Landscaping: https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-40.pdf
Hawaii Backyard Conservation: https://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/files/2013/05/PRC_HawaiiBackyardConservation.pdf
