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.)