Hibiscus
Waimea Valley Botanic Gardens
"Hawaii has been called the 'melting pot of the races,' and so it has been with hibiscus." - Ross H. Gast, 1980
The 1900s are a remarkably productive period for the small yet enthusiastic group of early Hawai'i breeders.
Creating hundreds of new hybrids with exciting variations in color, form, and flower size, early breeders introduce real diversity to the world of hibiscus.
Many early breeders belong to upper-class Hawaii society and travel often, bringing foreign hybrids back to the islands to use as parents. Some of these introduced hybrids are planted in this section.
Early breeders also fuel worldwide demand for Hawaii hybrids, as they generously share their creations with fellow breeders around the world.
Sources differ on who creates the first Hawai'i hibiscus hybrid.
Some think it is Archibald Scott Cleghorn, wife of Princess Miriam Likelike and father to Princess Ka'iulani. Others believe Walter Le Montais Giffard creates Hawaii's first hybrid in 1902.
Whoever was first, both men are linked by their passions for hibiscus and the outdoors. Cleghorn helps found Kapi'olani Park, and becomes the first City and County of Honolulu Parks Commissioner. Giffard serves as Kapi'olani Park Commissioner, and is known throughout Hawaii's powerful sugar industry for his advancements in sugarcane seed propagation.
Hibiscus
Waimea Valley Botanic Gardens
"Hawaii has been called the 'melting pot of the races,' and so it has been with hibiscus." - Ross H. Gast, 1980
The 1900s are a remarkably productive period for the small yet enthusiastic group of early Hawai'i breeders.
Creating hundreds of new hybrids with exciting variations in color, form, and flower size, early breeders introduce real diversity to the world of hibiscus.
Many early breeders belong to upper-class Hawaii society and travel often, bringing foreign hybrids back to the islands to use as parents. Some of these introduced hybrids are planted in this section.
Early breeders also fuel worldwide demand for Hawaii hybrids, as they generously share their creations with fellow breeders around the world.
Sources differ on who creates the first Hawai'i hibiscus hybrid.
Some think it is Archibald Scott Cleghorn, wife of Princess Miriam Likelike and father to Princess Ka'iulani. Others believe Walter Le Montais Giffard creates Hawaii's first hybrid in 1902.
Whoever was first, both men are linked by their passions for hibiscus and the outdoors. Cleghorn helps found Kapi'olani Park, and becomes the first City and County of Honolulu Parks Commissioner. Giffard serves as Kapi'olani Park Commissioner, and is known throughout Hawaii's powerful sugar industry for his advancements in sugarcane seed propagation.