Shades of Green

You want to enhance your property with a gorgeous landscape, but the area is surrounded by shade. Some might suggest covering the land with mulch or turning it into a grand patio, but if you really prefer greenery, what can you do?

Shade tolerant grasses do exist. However, there are several things to remember when trying to grow grass in a shaded area. Even shade tolerant grasses need at least four hours of sunlight per day. You can improve the amount of sunlight to an area by trimming out tree limbs, especially lower limbs. As much as 35-40% of a tree’s limbs can be removed to improve the sun’s penetration without changing the aesthetics of a tree. It also helps to remove any fallen leaves and grass clippings, since they can further add to shade problems.

Once you’ve taken steps to improve sun exposure, you can facilitate the grass to thrive even further. Be sure to keep it one to two inches longer than grass that receives abundant sunlight. Limit fertilization and water deeply, yet only occasionally. Because shade prevents quick evaporation of dew and rain, it can lead to dampness, which encourages disease and inhibits growth.

It’s essential to understand that not all grasses labeled shade tolerant work well in the same environment; some are meant for warm weather climates, while others thrive in cooler climates.

Zoysiagrass is slow-growing, dense grass that is drought tolerant and best in warm weather climates much like Hawaii. El Toro, is a favorite varietal of zoysiagrass to us at No Ka Oi. Appropriately named after the bull, El Toro is pest, drought and disease resistant. El Toro is easy to establish and low maintenance and therefore, considered one of the most sustainable grasses available.

The low maintenance El Toro zoysiagrass; “the bull” is bullet proof and a perfect choice for your shaded landscape.

A Plumeria By Any Other Name...

Did you know there are more than 300 named varieties of Plumeria? In India, the Plumeria is known as the Fragipani. We often see the Singapore Plumeria adorning Kauai’s landscapes, with it’s beautiful white flower and it’s deliciously fragrant bouquet. This variety is the only Plumeria that is not deciduous - meaning it doesn’t lose all its leaves in the winter - which is why it is so popular among resort landscapes.

While the Singapore Plumeria has become somewhat indigenous to the island, there are many selections that are just as lovely and aromatic. The Yellow Plumeria is another popular Hawaiian selection. It is most commonly used for lei making because it holds up so well and is most fragrant.

During this time of the year, all types of Plumeria are in full bloom, making it a very sensuous time to visit Hawaii. To visit Hawaii and inhale the Plumeria fragrance for the first time, is an experience you can never forget. We encourage all of our clientele to experience Plumeria at its best here on our glorious island.

The Season of Graduation

Graduation season is upon us throughout the Hawaiian islands. From late May through mid- June, commencement exercises will take place all across the State. High School Graduation is especially significant to the Hawaiian culture and preparing for the big event is a family affair, which includes planning and shopping for the graduation after party -- and the perfect flower lei.

Hawaiians have a long standing tradition of giving leis to the graduates to celebrate their accomplishments. Oftentimes, the leis are piled up so high that it can be difficult to distinguish the graduates from each other. While there are hundreds of combinations to choose from, some favorite traditions include maile, orchid and ti-leaf (believed to impart good luck to the recipient).

In addition to a traditional flower lei, some families get creative with other types of leis. Some craft a “money lei“, made up of coins wrapped up in colorful netting or dollar bills folded in the shape of a fan and intertwined with color-coordinated ribbon to match the school colors. Other styles include “candy leis” or handmade ribbon leis, which make for long-lasting, graduation memento. If you are celebrating a graduation this year with a family member or special friend, be sure to recognize it with a commemorative lei.