Breathless in Hawaii

My own garden experienced a three week interruption this Spring.  I'm happy to say I had an "excused absence." My husband and I had an opportunity to visit Hawaii with dear friends.  What a delight for the senses. I just can't help myself - I have to share a few flowers of Hawaii.  In addition to Oahu and Maui, we visited Kauai, which is also known as the "Flower Island."   The lush greenery and flowers took my breath away at every turn.  The picture above was taken at the Allerton Garden in Kauai.  In 1938 Robert Allerton, artist/landscape architect purchased a portion of the plantation of Queen Emma, who reigned as Queen to King Kamehameha from 1856-63.  Before Allerton's death in 1986 he was able to fulfill his dream of establishing a tropical garden on U.S. soil.  His trust has maintained the gardens for preservation of rare species and enjoyment of all who appreciate flowers in rich settings of statuary, gardens, water features.

 This is the Allerton home  against a background of bougainvillaea tumbling from the mountainside: 

It's a challenge to select just a few pictures of and from the Garden, but here are some highlights:

Angel Trumpet Tree:  So lovely, and all parts so very poisonous:

This is Naupaka, which grows along Pacific seacoasts.  Here's an interesting tidbit for snorkelers - the leaves can be crushed and rubbed inside a snorkle mask for a natural de-fogger.

Like a teen-aged boy, this bamboo is busy growing eight inches a day!

In my opinion, the most heavenly aroma of the entire island belongs to Plumaria.

The construction of the Mermaid Fountain is such that it results in a small but regularly pulsing waterfall at its end, 54 pulses a minute.  It is said that if a person were to quietly reflect upon this for five to ten minutes, that person's heartbeat would become synchronized with the waterfall and this synchronization is known as "The Neptune Effect."

Moreton Bay Fig Trees:  These were brought in from Australia, but they obviously delight in the Hawaiian climate where they grown ten times faster.  These were planted only 70 years ago.  They are also known as Jurrasic Park Trees, for it is here in Allerton Garden where Steven Spielberg filmed the scene in which the raptor eggs were discovered.

I love a Secret Garden.  The Estate of Robert Allerton states that no statuary may be replaced or even repaired.  Ever.  He wished for his pieces to age gracefully and naturally:

The most unforgettable garden sight was of the lotus garden which seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see - huge blossoms sporting every shade of pink:

And finally, elsewhere in Hawaii, I snapped a picture of the beautiful state flower:  Yellow Hibiscus

I'm back home now, and ready to turn my attention to my own little paradise, my diminutive cottage garden, which is humbled by my recent experience, but yet so loved!  It is showing me a few visible signs of my neglect.   So, Aloha!  It's back outside for me.