Saturday Morning Garden Blogging - Vol. 22.19: A Tropical Paradise
The author, a self-proclaimed gardening enthusiast, takes us on a journey to Hawaii, where they were unexpectedly invited to pet-sit for a friend. This tropical paradise is a gardener's dream, filled with an array of exotic plants and flowers that the author is eager to explore.
One of the highlights is the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, a sanctuary for rare and endangered tropical plants. The garden, founded by Dan Lutkenhouse Sr., showcases the beauty of the Onomea Valley rainforest, cleared of invasive species to preserve its natural splendor. The author expresses their awe at the diverse flora, including heliconia flowers, known for their vibrant colors and unique shapes. The garden's collection of orchids, with their various sizes, shapes, and colors, captivates the author, who admits to a newfound appreciation for these exotic blooms.
The author's curiosity extends to the unique trees and flowers they encounter, such as the orange-flowered tree emerging from its trunk and the mysterious pink-petaled plant that captures water. They acknowledge their limited knowledge of tropical plants, finding it intriguing that some plants seem to defy categorization. The garden's anthurium bed, with its diverse colors and shapes, adds to the visual spectacle.
The author's visit to Hawaii is a sensory experience, with the sound of waterfalls and the scent of gardenias. They also indulge in fresh, locally grown produce, like ripe pomelos and limes, a stark contrast to the cold winter they had just endured. The mention of a nearby active volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, adds an element of adventure, with the author learning about volcanic activity and even hitching a ride to the summit of Mauna Kea with a friendly solo traveler.
This blog post is a testament to the author's passion for gardening and their willingness to explore new environments. It invites readers to appreciate the beauty of tropical flora and the unexpected delights that nature can offer, even in a place as seemingly exotic as Hawaii.
