Hawaii Fall Colors

All our beds have names -- this is our "Pink Bed"

Phil grew up in Michigan and I grew up in Oregon, so we each remember a real season called Fall or Autumn, but in Hawaii our seasons are more subtle.

Tangerines loaded!

L-O-N-G green beans

That being said, we DO have some stunning COLORS around the property at this time of year.  The other day, Phil went around the yard taking pictures -- just take a look!

Emily Dickinson wrote of winter's slant of light, but a few years ago, I wrote my own version -- it was about how, for me, it is Fall's 'certain slant' that reminds us that winter is coming.

"Fall's returning certain slant whispers in scents dark, deep and damp...."

Heirloom Tomatoes

Close-up-Monarch Butterfly
and Bee Favorites

Close up of blossom/s

Jade Vine on Trellis  

A few years ago we planted one Jade Vine -- whose blossom colors were light blue and purple. When we found out that there was another similar vine with ORANGE flowers, we constructed a trellis using two dead ohia trees for it to climb on. The crab-claw shaped blossoms could not be more orange!

Jade Vine Blooms!

#1 - Top the Tree and build base

#2 cut and paint 2x4's

Utilizing raw materials is part of the philosophy of Puna, here on the Big Island of Hawaii.  That's what we tried to do with a dead Ohia tree when we first moved in.  

We had seen a beautiful Jade Vine plant when we visited our next door neighbor, but he warned us that they are very aggressive growers and will easily take over a 30-40' tree.

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#3  Install 2x4's

With the help of a friend, we designed a spiral framework structure made of left over  ends of 2x4's that were painted in colors to match the tree.  Holes were drilled at the ends of the boards through which we threaded a nylon rope (which you can't see in the third photo.) 
 

#4 Add plantings and wait two years

The grand idea was that the vine could grow around the spiral structure (that is wider at the top than the bottom) and the 36" long blossoms could then hang down on the outside to produce the effect of a colorful fountain. 

    

Purple & Blue 36" blossom

(While waiting, though, we had to repeatedly explain to people that the ugly structure around the tree was not, in fact, a clothes line.) 

We bought the vine early in 2013 and have waited TWO YEARS to see if our creative plan would even work.  Well, it did!  YEAH for us!

(Note to Walt:  Yes, these are the "real" colors.)

 

Carport Deck Completed

West facing view of new deck over the carport.

We posted this picture a few days ago after completing the carport.  The next step was to create a deck on top of the roof by building a railing around the edge -- adding more usable square footage. While it may not be the best place to hang out at noon, it is the perfect place for morning coffee, evening sunsets and star gazing.

Jade Vine Flower Cluster

The weird "tree scaffold" at the end of the deck was created to utilize a dying Ohia tree.  The 2x4's were painted to match the color of the trunk, with rope strung through the ends to create a trellis.  The spiraling trellis around the trunk will support a Jade Vine plant which has dark green foliage with strands of three foot long clusters of dense flowers. 

Reba and Dexter watching Poko and Dad below.

In a few months,  cascades of purple and blue flowers will hang down from the trellis like a waterfall.  For color contrast (but not pictured)  the foot of the tree is surrounded by large orange and yellow bromeliads.