Hawaii at Home - part 1

I've been wanting to write a post about bringing Hawaii home. Today is the perfect day because...my plumeria bloomed! And it's hard to think about Hawaii without thinking of beautiful plumeria flowers!

My plumeria blooming was extra exciting because just this spring, I thought the plant was dying. I've had the plumeria 5 years and it developed a "mushy" spot on the trunk. I kept pruning off the soft spot and it would reappear. Finally, I decided I should prune it far lower. My poor plant was just a third of it's previous self! Then, a few weeks later it surprised me with rapid growth from one side! And now flowers! My plumeria has taught me a lesson...never give up!

My husband and I try to bring a little aloha spirit into our gardening. There are so many beautiful plants and flowers on Kauai. We try to include some that will grow here on the Mainland.

This week our red hibiscus bloomed! This flower definitely reminds me of Hawaii. Isn't it bright and happy? Hibiscus are pretty easy to grow. They'll take some cold (even frost) and still be OK.

Recall the post a couple weeks back where we bought too many souvenirs? Here's one of those souvenirs.  Do you have too many tiki too (say that fast 5 times LOL)? Try putting some out among your flowers.

Plumeria, palms and some weird prehistoric plant :)

These colorful boulgainvillea peak over the fence from my neighbor's yard.

And what Kauai inspired yard would be complete without...

a CHICKEN!

Here's our hen Cinnamon. She thinks that she's a dog and is a lot of fun!

Well, I hope that I've given you some ideas about how to bring Hawaii home, at least your backyard anyway! 

Oh, I almost forgot...a few tiki torches are nice too!

Aloha!