5 Gardening Gifts That Keep On Giving

The holiday season is upon us! If you're still looking for the perfect gift for the gardener in your life, you're in luck. In today's post, we've compiled a list of five gardening-related gifts that really do keep on giving.

So whether you're looking for the perfect gift or a last-minute gift, we've got you covered. Read on to find out more about each of our picks.

1. Starfruit Tree

Up first, we have the starfruit tree. We've written about our love of starfruit before, and they're still one of our favorite fruits.

The cultivation of starfruit began in South East Asia. If you’ve ever traveled to Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Sri Lanka, you most likely saw it at the market. Now it is distributed and grown anywhere there is a smidgin of a tropical climate. It thrives here in Hawaii.

Why it makes a great gift: If you live in a tropical or sub-tropical region then you've got to grow a starfruit tree. If you've got kids you have even more reason to do so. It's fun to climb, pick and eat. Plus it's packed with vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and helps protect the body from free radicals. Speaking of growing, here are a few basic tips to keep in mind when growing starfruit trees:

Space trees at least 25 feet apart
Plant trees in slightly alkaline, well-drained soil
Use organic fertilizers
Spread mulch around the bases of the trees
Plant in full sun

If you'd like to include a recipe with your gift of the tree, we recommend these starfruit chips!

2. Ohia Lehua

Next, we have ohia lehua, a beautiful evergreen, flowering native Hawaiian plant.

The plant takes its name from Hawaiian mythology. When the young man Ohia rejected her advances, the volcano goddess Pele turned him into a tree.

His lover, Lehua, couldn't bear to be without him, so out of pity the other gods turned her into a flower and put it on the tree. From this, we get the tree's appearance, or so the story goes.

Why it makes a great gift: Ohia lehua is a strikingly beautiful plant, able to grow in very harsh conditions. Seriously, they're among the first plants that grow where lava has flowed. The flowers from ohia lehua also make a gorgeous lei.

Here a few things to keep in mind when growing ohia lehua:

Give them plenty of sunlight
Plant in rich, organic, well-drained soil
Water every day while the plant is becoming established
Pair with other native Hawaiian plants for a pleasing landscape design

3. An Orchid

For the devoted gardener in your life, we recommend an orchid. We stock over a dozen different varieties at the nursery, and they're some of the most distinctive, beautiful flowering plants you'll ever encounter.

While not native to Hawaii, the tradition of growing orchids goes back to the late 1800s, when descendants of Hawaiian royalty began cultivating the plants. Since then, orchids have become a popular plant to grow in Hawaii. The warm climate is just perfect!

Why it makes a great gift: Orchids are a challenging, rewarding, stunning plant to grow.

If you know someone who wants to take their gardening skills to the next level, an orchid is an excellent gift. They're also among some of the most distinguished plants you can use to decorate your home.

Here are a few basic tips for growing orchids:

Orchids prefer filtered light (30 - 50 % shaded, normally)
They grow best between temperatures of 55 - 85 degrees (not hard to achieve in Kauai)
Water 2 - 3 times per week
Fertilize with a dilute fertilizer once a week
See our orchid care page for more tips

4. Dwarf Date Palm

Popular for growing indoors (but suitable for outdoor growing as well), this palm gets its name from its small, edible fruits that resemble dates.

While the fruits are similar to dates, this isn't the same plant that produces dates (the true date palm is called Phoenix dactylifera).

Nonetheless, it's an attractive, compact palm that's excellent for landscape design. Originating in Southeast Asia, it's perfectly adapted to thrive in the tropical Hawaiian climate.

Why it makes a great gift: If you want the beauty of a palm tree but don't want to deal with pruning enormous, towering canopies, the dwarf date palm is a great choice. As its name implies, it doesn't get all that big, with mature plants measuring between 6 and 10 feet in height.

Follow these tips to make sure your date palm grows nicely:

Plant in sandy, well-drained soil
Make sure the plant is in a relatively shaded area
Maintain consistent soil moisture (but make sure there is no standing water)
Fertilize 2 - 3 times a year with a fertilizer intended for palms
Rinse the foliage regularly with warm water to keep it clean and free of pests

5. A Nursery Gift Certificate

Last but not least, we have the perfect gift for any gardener in your life: a Kauai Seascapes Nursery gift certificate.If you're not sure what gift to get them, give them one of these. We offer gift certificates in amounts from $25 - $200.

Give the Gift of Green

Shopping for the gardener in your life can seem tricky, but with today's guide things should now be much easier. From edible plants to decorative trees, we're sure we can help you find the perfect gift for anyone with a green thumb.

If you need more customized garden gift advice, don't hesitate to contact us or stop by and consult with one of our knowledgeable staff in person.

Happy holidays!