Peggy and I have been to a number of botanical gardens over the years. They have all been special, each offering something unique. The Hawaii Botanical Tropical Garden we visited two weeks ago is one of the best. Every few feet we screeched to a halt to admire yet another plant. Beautiful flowers, out of this world leaves, unique trees, vines galore, waterfalls and even an ancient Hawaiian God— the garden has it all. Today we are bringing the best of what we saw to you with minimal commentary. Happy Valentine’s Day. (Say it with flowers. Grin.)
In the middle of large leaves, a single flower.It didn’t matter where we looked. There was beauty. And green.Pretty enough to eat. Grin.A bit strange.Striking.Looking up.Varieties of orchids from throughout the world were in the dozens.Elephant like?Did you know that there are between 25 and 30,000 varieties in the world?They come in many colors…And shapes.This is only a portion of the ones we photographed.As I noted, everywhere we turned, there was something interesting to photograph.Half of the time, what we saw was new to us.This flower made Peggy hungry for corn on the cob.There was a small multi-tiered waterfall.Quiet pools.Green, moss-covered rocks.And KU, a major Hawaiian God. (There will be more on KU when we do a post on the ancient Hawaiians.)Bamboo shaded KU.Leaves and vines were hanging everywhere, in profusion.Palm trees and fronds are a natural for the tropical garden.Leaves were almost as varied as the flowers.Green, yes. But not necessarily in a form we are used to. We thought the contrast created by the shadows was dramatic.Similar. And yet…Pin stripes?Not green.Likewise.A gecko caught Peggy’s attention. The Hawaiians call it Mo’o.Spider webs caught mine.We will close with a few more flowers. Some of them were even familiar to us. Note the ‘some’ word.Like this one.Orange and white.Red.Great buds, assuming they belong together.Pretty in pink.Look at me!Another old friend.And another.And this red beauty for Valentine’s Day to close our post.
I just counted the photos that Peggy and I included in today’s blog. It struck me that we could have probably turned this into a month’s worth of posts doing one everyday. Or a small book. I hope it downloads. But we have so darned many things to blog about. Tough, I know. Our next post will find us floating down the Danube River again…
Just gorgeous! I don’t think I visited there, but will next time I’m Hawaii. Mother Nature is the best artist on the planet. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them and Happy Valentine’s Day.
And back to the two of you as well, Alison. I just jumped over and read your story about seeking, and finding to a degree, enlightenment. It was very moving.
Thanks Curt. I had a feeling you would relate to my post. A.
Your pictures are so lovely! I have not been there but my daughter tells me that it is unbelievable and she became very interested in the history. I have a granddaughter that is over that way right now! Olympia weather is warming up and rain is expected. I am traveling out to my daughter’s to dog sit. It’s such difficult duty…take care!
Thanks Wendy. On the Hilo side of the island, where the garden is, much of the country has the same beauty, if not the variety. Even our yard. In terms of ancient history, Peggy and I visited two of major petroglyph areas a the Sanctuary. I’ll be doing a post on the sites.
I can imagine this being right up your alley, given all of the beautiful flowers you have shared with us. And Happy Valentines Day to you as well. –Curt
So many interesting shapes! I didn’t appreciate how many colours of orchids there are until I got one for Mother’s Day last year. “Ophelia’s” pinky purply flowers lasted for several months.
So many things to blog about! I can relate entirely, Curt.
This one is filled with things I want to respond to! First of all, your photography and Peggy’s is just inspiring. Thank you for this amazing collection. Your top and bottom photos are perfect for Valentine’s Day. I really love the gecko in silhouette, and every single orchid. 25-30 thousand varieties? That’s incomprehensible. The spider webs, the leaves that turned red – so outstanding – especially the one in the vines hanging everywhere photo.
Those flowers and leaves were begging to have their photos taken, Crystal. Talk about a fun, easy task.
We have geckos living in our house. They come and go at their pleasure, and, if we ignore them, hang around. We’ve assigned them ant eating duty.
I’ve got more spider webs coming.
Thanks on the Valentine’s day greeting. We went out to eat at one of our favorite, local, restaurants. Tomorrow we fly home, sigh. And begin planning for our Southwest trip. Grin. Curt and Peggy
Every now and then I remember my time in Hawaii, and laugh. That visit was all about boats, bays, and harbors — I never paid one bit of attention to any of the lushness around me. Different times, different interests. I’d love to revisit, but since that isn’t going to happen, your posts are a fine substitute. You’re right about the foliage here often being as dramatic as the flowers. Most of them were unfamiliar, but I do believe I spotted the same Crinum lily that we have: the white one shown with the buds and the vaguely spider lily-like appearance.
Valentine’s day is over now, but I sent you and Peggy a little Texas greeting via email.
Thanks for the Valentine’s day greeting, Linda. Fun. I responded via Email.
Well, you did have the Liberia lushness behind you with nor sailboats to distract you. I looked the lili up and the first photo I saw was from the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Grin. Crinum asiaticum
Wandering through Time and Place 
Beautiful, indeed. I love Hawaii’s lushness.
It jus goes on and on!
Just gorgeous! I don’t think I visited there, but will next time I’m Hawaii. Mother Nature is the best artist on the planet. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them and Happy Valentine’s Day.
We had no idea what to expect, D. We were wowed. Thanks. And HVD back to you.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you two.
Alison 🤗
And back to the two of you as well, Alison. I just jumped over and read your story about seeking, and finding to a degree, enlightenment. It was very moving.
Thanks Curt. I had a feeling you would relate to my post.
A.
Your pictures are so lovely! I have not been there but my daughter tells me that it is unbelievable and she became very interested in the history. I have a granddaughter that is over that way right now! Olympia weather is warming up and rain is expected. I am traveling out to my daughter’s to dog sit. It’s such difficult duty…take care!
Thanks Wendy. On the Hilo side of the island, where the garden is, much of the country has the same beauty, if not the variety. Even our yard. In terms of ancient history, Peggy and I visited two of major petroglyph areas a the Sanctuary. I’ll be doing a post on the sites.
Ohhhh myyyy! This is heaven! Mother Nature has blessed this place so abundantly. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and gorgeous Peggy!
I can imagine this being right up your alley, given all of the beautiful flowers you have shared with us. And Happy Valentines Day to you as well. –Curt
It most certainly was a major collection, but it IS Valentine’s Day after all!
After all! LOL
What an amazing showcase. I do love botanic gardens.
So do we, Peggy! Can’t resist them.
So many interesting shapes! I didn’t appreciate how many colours of orchids there are until I got one for Mother’s Day last year. “Ophelia’s” pinky purply flowers lasted for several months.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
That’s a long lasting orchid! You must have taken good care of it.
Got to say, the colors are stunning.
That they are.
So many things to blog about! I can relate entirely, Curt.
This one is filled with things I want to respond to! First of all, your photography and Peggy’s is just inspiring. Thank you for this amazing collection. Your top and bottom photos are perfect for Valentine’s Day. I really love the gecko in silhouette, and every single orchid. 25-30 thousand varieties? That’s incomprehensible. The spider webs, the leaves that turned red – so outstanding – especially the one in the vines hanging everywhere photo.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you two lovebirds. ❤
Those flowers and leaves were begging to have their photos taken, Crystal. Talk about a fun, easy task.
We have geckos living in our house. They come and go at their pleasure, and, if we ignore them, hang around. We’ve assigned them ant eating duty.
I’ve got more spider webs coming.
Thanks on the Valentine’s day greeting. We went out to eat at one of our favorite, local, restaurants. Tomorrow we fly home, sigh. And begin planning for our Southwest trip. Grin. Curt and Peggy
Oooh, hopefully you’ll be in the Southwest in the springtime. That is the best time of year to go there, in my opinion.
We will indeed, Crystal. Our goal is to start our journey mid-March and make it into Arizona by April.
So much beauty, Curt, and the ‘corn on the cob’ brought a smile. Thanks for the tour, and have a great weekend!
It went on and on Lauren. Peggy and I are flying off to Virginia (basecamp) tomorrow to plan our next adventure. Thanks.
Every now and then I remember my time in Hawaii, and laugh. That visit was all about boats, bays, and harbors — I never paid one bit of attention to any of the lushness around me. Different times, different interests. I’d love to revisit, but since that isn’t going to happen, your posts are a fine substitute. You’re right about the foliage here often being as dramatic as the flowers. Most of them were unfamiliar, but I do believe I spotted the same Crinum lily that we have: the white one shown with the buds and the vaguely spider lily-like appearance.
Valentine’s day is over now, but I sent you and Peggy a little Texas greeting via email.
Thanks for the Valentine’s day greeting, Linda. Fun. I responded via Email.
Well, you did have the Liberia lushness behind you with nor sailboats to distract you. I looked the lili up and the first photo I saw was from the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Grin. Crinum asiaticum
Same genus, different species. Here’s our Crinum americanum from the Armand Bayou Nature Preserve.
The Asian and the American! Can certainly see the similarities.