Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 12, 2015

From: Kihei, HI
Region: Hawaii
Topic: Plant Lists, Shrubs
Title: Flowering shrub for Kihei, Hawaii
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Kihei Hawaii, near the beach but across the road from it. I am looking for a hedge that flowers, can be trimmed is dense and grows rather quickly. 3-4ft in height. We have bougainvillia now and want another option possibly.

ANSWER:

All of the following are either endemic or indigenous to Hawaii and all occur on the island of Maui according to the USDA Plants Database.

Capparis sandwichiana (Native caper)  Hawaiian name: maiapilo

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Gardenia brighamii (Forest gardenia)  Hawaiian name:  nau

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Gossypium tomentosum (Hawai'ian cotton)  Hawaiian name:  mao

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Hibiscus kokio ssp. kokio (Red rosemallow)  Hawaiian name:  kokioulaula

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Lysimachia hillebrandii (puahekili)  Hawaiian name:  kolokolo kuahiwi

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from  Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database.

 

Nototrichium sandwicense (Hawai'i rockwort)  Hawaiian name:  kulu`i

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Osteomeles anthyllidifolia (Hawai'i hawthorn)  Hawaiian name:  `ulei

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Scaevola gaudichaudii (ridgetop naupaka)  Hawaiian name:  naupaka kuahiwi

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

Vitex rotundifolia (roundleaf chastetree)  Hawaiian names:  pohinahina; polinalina; kolokolo kahakai; mawanawana

Here is information from Hui Kū Maoli Ola and and here are photos and more information from Native Plants Hawaii.

 

You can read about Hui Kū Maoli Ola, the Hawaiian native plant nursery on Oahu and there is a native plant nursery on Maui, maui Native Nursery.

 

More Shrubs Questions

Rocky Stream Bank Plants for Dallas, TX
July 02, 2015 - Need live stake shrubbery or tree ideas for a rocky stream bank prone to high water. Thank you
view the full question and answer

Further question on sprouts from holly tree in Surprise AZ
November 16, 2010 - Thank you Barbara Medford for your response to my question about the sprouting holly tree in Surprise AZ. I took for granted that the tree I was talking about was a holly tree. I looked at pictures of...
view the full question and answer

Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast
July 13, 2012 - I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s...
view the full question and answer

Failing to thrive of non-native rose bushes in Austin
September 24, 2012 - I live in NW Austin and I have lost one knockout rose bush this summer and it looks like another one is failing. The leaves on a cane turn yellow then brown. I do not see whiteflies or black spots o...
view the full question and answer

Time to cut back Turk's Cap in Austin
January 27, 2011 - I did not find my question answered in the database. My question is: When is the best time to cut back Red Turks Cap? I live in Central Austin.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.