Hibiscus

Waimea Valley Botanic Gardens

"A large number of hybrids have been produced, some of which appear to possess superior merit." - Bulletin 29, 1913

Hawaii hybrids reach a milestone in 1913 with the publication of Bulletin 29, Ornamental Hibiscus in Hawaii. Every "superior" hibiscus hybrid featured in this landmark publication is created in Hawaii.

Bulletin 29 reflects the incredible demand for hybrids from Hawaii. Its publisher, the Hawai'i Agricultural Experiment Station, begins hybridizing in 1909. By the time Bulletin 29 is published just four years later, the Hawai'i Agricultural Experiment Station has distributed about 100,000 cuttings throughout the islands.

Bulletin 29 also recognizes many Hawaii breeders

"who have contributed most to our hybrid forms."

Valentine S. Holt, the father of modern hibiscus hybrids, joins the Hawai'i Agricultural

Pneriment Station 1n 791]

He creates 500 of the 1,000 hibiscus hybrids in Hawaii.

The only recorded hybridizer of Hawaiian descent in his

time. not much is known about this influential yet enigmatic figure. Holt later

hecames a Roval Hawaiian

Hotel groundskeeper before

quietly slipping into the mists of history.

At the time of Bulletin 29, Gerrit P. Wilder is president

of the Hawai'i Hibiscus Society, the first hibiscus society in the world. An active botanist and frequent traveler.

Wilder introduces new

hibiscus and tropical plants to Hawaii from his botanical expeditions around the

world ThaUniversity of

Hawai'i honors his name to

this day through its Gerrit P.

Wilder Endowed Chair in

Botany.

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