The freebie tourist book from the car rental place calls this garden the largest private aloe collection in the world. That may have been true once upon a time, but I find it hard to believe today. First of all, does the claim refer to the garden's size, or to the breadth of its collection? It felt like a good couple of acres so maybe Moir can win on acreage alone. But the species variety was very narrow. I mostly recognized Aloe vera. In that regard, the extensive repeating of a single species reminded me strongly of Lotusland (one, two)
I can only speak for California, but so many new species of Aloe have entered our horticulture in recent years, it's a little hard to keep. Regardless of the limited palette, I found this garden to be among the more exciting Hawaiian public gardens. See also: Nat'l Tropical Bot G (Big Island) , Foster Botanic Garden (Oahu).
And it was free. This garden is located on the grounds of the Kiahuna Plantation Resort in Poipu, on Kauai's dry south coast. We parked on the street and wandered in.
Our visit coincided with full sun conditions.
J'adored this arborescent Kalanchoe beharensis.
The garden contained several specimens.
It was a substantial vertical element in many places, often reaching 7-8' tall.
Agave attenuata, used so much in Southern California but still rather uncommon in the north, was also well represented.
There was also some very large Euphorbia. Right? I don't remember the name.
Some nice drifts of Graptopetalum.
What a great plant.
Som very old Plumeria trees contributed to the garden's structure which was largely controlled by beautiful lava rock walls.
I really like leaf litter in a succulent garden.
There is a water feature of three interlocking pools ringed by Sanseviera.
I have a difficult relationship with Sanseviera, but I approve of this. Totally reminds me of Lotusland, even though I don't recall much Sanseviera there.
And there's a boyfriend bench for your companion who's not as in to plants as you are.
It's a spot place to take it all in,
and take in the smaller things.
4 comments:
The agricultural import restrictions make new plant introductions much slower to arrive in Hawaii. They have been more strict of late with all the recent plagues that have swept through. How strange to see a large succulent garden in the desert in Kauai at a resort. That takes some nerve over there.
When I went to the green waste recycle place while on Maui last month, the guy had been hedging the huge site with Euphorbia tirucalli, Pencil cactus. Gets tree like there.
While you are in Kauai I have been following your tweets.
Lovely pics-love how many of the plants grow large and spectacular in that clime. The Kalanchoe beharensis look great-don't know when my 10 inch plant will be anything like that...
Ha ha! All good public gardens should have a boyfriend bench.
Doesn't it seem like one's visits to botanic gardens are always in full-sun conditions? Mine are, anyway. They should have early admission for photographers every day!
I just posted about my own (very small) aloe collection.
Post a Comment