LSKY Enterprise

Monday, October 4, 2010

Billygoat Weed #2

The Hawaiian name for this delicate weed is maile honohono. While it may be considered an invasive species, it is still a pretty sight to behold alongside a forest path or roadside.

Gold Shower #6

When I smell shower blossoms in the air, I remember myself in places I have been before, under a cool spreading shower tree, beneath dark green leaves, pastel petals drifting around me, on a quiet late summer afternoon.

Gold Shower #5

Shower trees are drought tolerant and so often used, almost to exclusivity, in Hawaiian landscapes along roads, in parks, schools, etc. Because of its thick green leaf coverage, it also makes for a cooling respite from the sun.

Gold Shower #4

The Gold Shower is also the parent plant for other hybridized showers such as the Rainbow Shower and a lighter shade of yellow I like to call lemon shower - and they all smell divine!

Gold Shower #3

I love the Gold Shower when in full bloom. Not only is it beautiful to look at but you can catch its light fragrance in the slightest breeze.

Gold Shower #2

After the Gold Shower has lost its blossoms, the tree will produce a long, narrow seed pod over a foot in length. When dried, the insides are quite sticky with a very pungent odor, a vast contrast to the fruity fragrance of the delicate flowers.

Gold Shower #1

The Gold Shower tree is prevalent in the Hawaiian landscape. Cassia fistula, the parent plant, produces beautiful clusters of flowers hanging from an inner stem, much like a hanging lantern.

Hong Kong Orchid #4

Though not endemic to Hawaii, this exotic tree originally from China produces beautiful purple orchid-like blooms, and whose blossom adorns the regional emblem of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Orchid #3

When in full bloom, the exotic blossoms of Bauhinia blakeana paint a pretty picture in any garden.

Hong Kong Orchid #2

Another favorite landscaping tree in Hawaii due to its drought tolerance, the Hong Kong Orchid Tree lines many roadways and parks and is favored in Asian-themed gardens.

Hong Kong Orchid #1

An orchid growing on a tree? Bauhinia blakeana, or the Hong Kong Orchid Tree, produces beautiful orchid-like blossoms, a striking purple against rounded butterfly-like leaves.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Moa

The Moa or Psilotum nudum, is a leafless fern which grows wild in Hawaiian landscape. The thin twigs form yellow spores, which are used medicinally by the Hawaiians as a purging agent, and placing a bunch of these twigs in the water with your floral arrangements will help to keep the water clean and clear.

Purple Agapanthus #2

This miniature Agapanthus, Ellamae, has drooping blooms, not so much a spherical bouquet, but its dark purple hue and lightly striped design make for a striking show.

Purple Agapanthus #1

Ellamae rises beautifully above an explosion of slender leaves, creating dramatic height to an otherwise low-lying flower bed.

White Hibiscus

The White Hibiscus, or Koki'o, its Hawaiian name, is endemic to most of the islands of Hawaii. This hibiscus has been used as the parent to hybridize many more varieties of hibiscus. Its simple lines with beautiful red stamen have been referred to in many Hawaiian songs and legends of old.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Torch Ginger #1

The Torch Ginger is a sturdy bloom, perched atop a hardy stalk, yet still appears graceful and delicate. It reminds me of the dancing hippopotamus in Disney's Fantasia!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Gloriosa Lily #2

Though not a large lily, its dainty-sized flames flicker brightly in the dappled forest light.

Gloriosa Lily #1

This beautiful little fire or flame lily creeps along the lower forest canopy on a light green vine. It's a comical lily, appearing to bloom upside down with its stamen pointing downward and the petals curling upward like flickering flames.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Ti Varieagated

Ti hybrids come in many variations of leaf structure and colors. The parent form was undoubtedly the emerald green, flat-leafed variety. You can find now frilly leaves, wide leaves, thin and narrow leaves, short and round leaves…and the colors are endless.

Ti Spiral

The Ti Leaf has many uses in everyday Hawaiian life. It is used as a cooking tool to wrap foods for steaming or baking, it is used to make clothing and adornments, it is used in religious ceremonies, and even used for its healing properties. The Ti plant has been hybridized to produce many new colors and leaf appearances and is a beautiful garden addition.

Moss #3

Moss is said to grow on the north-facing side of rocks and trees, a directional marker used by hikers everywhere. But in a rain forest, this may not always be an accurate indicator of northern exposure, as moss will envelop its host in all directions!

Moss #2

A healthy sign, if the moss grows lush and green.

Moss #1

I always think of fairies and woodland nymphs flitting around the forest, making their tiny homes in the cool mossy crevasses of rocks and fallen tree trunks.

Purple Lily #3

A Water Lily rises from the muddy depths yet blooms pure and clean.

Purple Lily #1

The first in a series of purple Water Lilies.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Monday, September 27, 2010

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010

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