Blooming On Kauai

Good intentions can grow into pesky problems in the landscape when invasive plants are selected. The reality is, many invasive species came to Kauai as ornamental plants. And, there aren’t a whole lot of restrictions on introducing new plants—so sometimes, things go awry.

There are some helpful resources to identify whether plants you’re considering for your Kauai property are invasive. The Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) considers plants’ characteristics and the likelihood of it becoming invasive.

And, a site called Plant Pono is an outreach to educate home gardeners. Further, the Kauai Invasive Species Committee provides a list of early detection plants.

At No Ka Oi, there are five invasive plants we don’t like to find on the commercial properties we serve because their presence requires diligent management, the plants easily overtake other beautiful flowers and shrubs, and they can potentially attract damaging pests that you don’t want to find on your property.  

Thinking about a fruit tree for your Kauai landscape? Adding an edible to the plant palette is beneficial for your property because fruit trees add color and interest—and they produce a tasty harvest you can enjoy and share with guests.

Kauai’s warm, tropical climate is an ideal growing environment for a variety of fruit trees. But what’s best for your property?

That’s a tricky question because, as you know, choosing the right plant for the right place is critical to growing success.

A mango that thrives on the dry western side of Kauai could struggle to produce a bounty on the cooler, moist east side. Bananas like their space. And avocados are popular, but you can only harvest them once a year. Papayas, on the other hand, require continuous harvesting.

Climbing vines help screen private spaces while adding color and texture to your Kauai landscape. At No Ka Oi, we often suggest flowering vines as a way to appeal to the senses: they’re eye-catching, and many infuse sweet fragrance into surrounding spaces.

Flowering vines that climb up trellises, garden walls, pergolas and other structures act as living wallpaper. Vines are also functional, doubling as natural walls that give residents and visitors some privacy.

Here are 5 of the best flowering vines on Kauai we love that will add height, character, color and fragrance to your Kauai commercial property.

Winds are tricky on Kauai. There’s a careful balance between preserving views and breaking gusts of salty air that rush off the Pacific and onto commercial properties.

Many of us on Kauai appreciate the lovely breezes. They temper humidity and just make for a perfectly relaxing climate. Though, steady trade winds do kick up and push stronger winds on to our properties, and wind tunnels from between buildings set close together like on resort properties.

But again, there’s a balance. Guests want clear views of mountains, beaches and water—nothing blocking the way. But windbreaks are beneficial for creating protected, calm spaces.

The good news is, you can find a happy medium by planting trees and shrubs that deflect wind and divert it from your property. For beachside resorts and commercial properties with ocean views, even slender palm trees can act as a form of windbreak to stop gusts from completely barreling through the property.

Kauai property owners located farther inland might prioritize a windbreak over a view. Whatever is most important on your commercial property, here are the five best windbreak trees on Kauai.

Whether your property features close-knit cottages that call for privacy, or you simply want to establish a living fence that designates a boundary, plants and shrubs can do the job and double as a fragrant, textural, lush backdrop on your Kauai commercial landscape.

Living fences, also referred to as natural privacy fences, are an attractive alternative to masonry or concrete.

The trees and shrubs you choose for a natural privacy fence blend in with the environment—and on Kauai, “The Garden Isle,” it makes sense to use plants to create barriers on your commercial property.

“What can I plant in the shade that’s flowering and colorful?” It’s a common question from commercial property owners across the island.

Good news. You have options that will brighten up dark areas of your Kauai property. By blending in these vibrant, flowering winners that prefer shade, you can add fresh appeal to spaces on your commercial property that visitors might have ignored in the past.

Here are five colorful, shade-loving plants for Kauai landscapes — they make a bold impact and are happier where the sun doesn’t shine.

The parking lot islands on your Kauai commercial property are compact parcels of opportunity — if you select sustainable turf, slow-growing plants and landscape materials that can handle foot traffic.

We always talk about microclimates, and in many ways your islands are small microclimates within your property. The soil quality is likely different than in areas surrounding your buildings. The exposure to wind might also be greater, since the patch of land is surrounded by wide, open parking space. And, let’s not forget fluctuating soil temperatures, thanks to a hard surface that transfers sun and warmth to the ground.

A parking lot island can be a rugged environment, but there are smart commercial landscaping solutions that you can implement to turn these spots into focal points that improve the look of your parking lot.

Here are some practical parking lot enhancements that will, quite literally, boost your Kauai commercial property’s curb appeal.