Hawaii Revisited

Plumeria (frangipani) bear the fragrant flowers used in leis in Hawaii. In the garden they like warmth, and getting that extra bit next to a south or west wall is ideal. Make sure the drainage is good, and hold back on water in the winter. Keep in mind that to carry themselves through dry periods, they drop their leaves. In cooler areas, they can be grown in pots and brought indoors in the winter. They need lots of light to make them bloom. Oleanders, distantly related to plumeria, are extremely well adapted to most of California, taking the cold, though they need warmth to bloom. Other colors besides the white, rose and cherry red are worth looking for; delicate pink, pale yellow and salmon are among them. Pink or salmon dwarfs grow to about four feet. Keep in mind that the foliage is poisonous. So warn children. Try growing papaya from the many seeds you find in the fruit. Wash them and cover with about an eighth of an inch of potting mix (so as not to be bothered with weeds). A pot, a paper cup with holes in the bottom, or a six-pack used for bedding plants can be used. In two weeks to a month they will sprout, depending on the temperature. If you want fruit, grow four or five, because both male and female plants are needed. Because they don’t do well in temperatures under 30 degrees, they may have to be protected in colder areas, and like plumeria they dislike cold wet feet. Don’t worry if they don’t grow too tall; in Hawaii they’re cut back to three or four feet so the fruit is easier to pick. For a privacy hedge choose a plant that is both ornamental and edible. The pineapple guava is a handsome evergreen that produces huge quantities of fruit that is delectable fresh and in jellies. For a hedge, pineapple guava should be spaced three feet apart. Once established, it thrives with little attention and can be pruned radically.