LANDSCAPING

Ko‘oloa ‘ula—Landscape to Lei!

Few native Hawaiian shrubs combine the beauty of both foliage and flowers.  An exception is ko‘oloa ‘ula (Abutilon menziesii), sometimes called the “red ‘ilima.” While the Hawaiian name ‘ula suggests red flowers, there are actually several color forms ranging from red to burgundy, and pink to creamy-yellow.  But all share the same characteristic silky, heart-shaped silver-green leaves.  There are fewer than 500 of these endangered plants remaining in the remnant dry lands of O‘ahu, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i.  Fortunately though they are readily available at local nurseries.  Ko‘oloa ‘ula is one of the four native abutilons found in the

Hawaiian Islands

and the one most commonly seen in our landscapes.  This smaller-flowered cousin of the hibiscus has gained popularity over the years with its pleasant appearance and ease of culture.

Ko‘oloa ‘ula love the full sun and does best in open, dry locations.  Being xeric, or drought tolerant, they thrive with little water.  In fact too much can result in large, floppy leaves with fewer flowers.  They handle pruning well and new growth soon sprouts from the cut branches.  Other than the occasional trimming, once ko‘oloa ‘ula is established it requires minimal care.

Too, you will seldom need to provide fertilizers for this

kama

‘aina.  A bonus characteristic of ko‘oloa ‘ula is that they are nitrogen-fixing plants.  This basically means that the plants have the ability to take nitrogen from the atmosphere, an essential element for plant growth and reproduction, and put or “fix” it into the soil to be used by the plant itself.

Few pests bother ko‘oloa ‘ula too.  One insect that does feed on the leaves is the Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus).  These small dusty brown beetles normally feed at night.  An indication of their feeding habits is zigzag or round holes left around the center of the leaves.  Though they can cause the leaves to look unsightly, the beetles are mostly a seasonal pest and usually do not cause a plants death if present in small numbers.  A systemic insecticide can be used if the problem becomes overwhelming.  But usually just cutting back on water and fertilizers will discourage these pests.  Another good reason to keep this plant on the drier side is that over-watering can also attract destructive root nematodes.  The burrowing habits of the tiny worms can severely weaken the root structure and eventually kill the entire plant.

Ko‘oloa ‘ula is a wonderful addition to any xeric landscape.  What could be easier for the garden than a plant that loves sunny places, dislikes too much water, and makes it’s own fertilizer?  A final feature of ko‘oloa ‘ula is the flowers themselves.  The quarter-sized flowers can be used to make a beautiful long lasting lei.  The flowers can be strung with only one color, in a combination of colors or with other native flora.  Either way, they will turns heads to the individual wearing one.  Do you know a special person who would welcome a ko‘oloa ‘ula lei?

David W. Eickhoff

Nursery Manager

Waimea

 

Valley

 

Audubon

 

Center

deickhoff@audubon.org