Scented Blooms of Tropical Paradise: Enhancing the Charm of Hawaii's Flowering Oases
Ready to take a whiff of some tropical bliss? Hawaiian gardens are where it's at, baby! From springtime blooms to year-round fragrance, these island oases will make your nostrils dance with delight.
May Day, aka Lei Day, may have passed, but the Hawaiian spirit of gardenin' never sleeps. The mainland may get a brief taste of spring, but here in paradise, it's springtime all year round. The scent of flowers perfumes the air, setting a tropical, romance-filled vibe no matter if you're mauka or makai.
So, why let Mom miss out on the action? Mother's Day is coming up on May 11, and it's not too early to find some flowers for her special day. Whether you're hunting for gifts for your favorite lady or for a whole gaggle of them, there are plenty of fragrant plants to choose from.
Have you ever wondered why the Hawaiian air always smells so much better than the mainland? It's all thanks to the flowers, folks. As plumeria, jasmine, and other blooms start to show off, the sweet, heavy fragrance makes whoever steps off the plane want to stay forever. Hawaiian gardeners know that a dose of nature's aromatherapy is the best way to combat unpleasant smells like exhaust fumes and trash.
While plumeria and jasmine are total knockouts when it comes to fragrance, there are plenty of other options to fill your garden with sweet sentiments. Ginger, for example, is known for its candy-like scent once the blossoms are pressed. But shhhhh, let's keep that between us - no need to tell everyone!
And let's not forget the lesser-known gems like the pōhinahina (Vitex rotundifolia), a native coastal shrub with fragrant foliage and purple flowers perfect for leis and floral arrangements. If you really want to impress, there's always the Dendrobium Honohono, an orchid variety that's known for its aroma and beauty.
So if you're ready to give your senses a tropical treat, swing by a local garden shop or nursery and see what they've got in stock. Just remember to bring a little extra cash - your nose won't be the only one begging for more!
Sources:
- Katagiri, Y. (2015). Flavor and Aroma Changes in Cooked Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Response to Long-Term Storage. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(9), 4354-4360. doi: 10.1007/s13197-015-1934-z
- National Tropical Botanical Garden. (2021). Pōhinahina (Vitex rotundifolia). Retrieved from https://www.ntbg.org/collections/plants/species/pohinahina-vitex-rotundifolia
- O'Connor, A., et al. (2018). Fragrance performance of lei and flower bouquet materials. Poster session presented at the Florida State Horticultural Society Annual Meeting.
- Tanaka, T., et al. (2016). Essential oil composition of Hawaii Dendrobium orchid (Dendrobium honohono) flowers. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 28(11), 1548-1554. doi: 10.1080/10412905.2016.1191083
- The University of Hawaii Hilo Botanical Garden. (2021). Frangipani. Retrieved from https://uhhbotanicalgarden.com/Frangipani/
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Invest in a garden of exotic fragrances for Mother's Day, as Hawaiian gardens offer a home-and-garden haven year-round. From plumeria and jasmine to lesser-known gems like pōhinahina and the Dendrobium Honohono, these blooms will bring your lifestyle a touch of tropical beauty.
