Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-19
RY GERRIT p. WILDER.

well adapted to the cultivation of hi
discus. two varieties OF which are IN
digenous, viz: the single white and
the single red, found growing in the
valleys and mountains.
The indigenous white is found only
on the islands of Oahu. Kauai and
Molokai, while the indigenous red
grows on the islands Of Kauai. Oahu,
MoIokal and Hawaii. The red is not
found either on Maui or Lanai, and,
although these two varieties often
grow in close proximity to each other,
no hybrids from them have ever been
discovered growing wild, for the sim
pie reason that the red opens early in
the day and before noontime the pol.
len. grains are dried up,s Whereas the
white is nocturnal and remains open
at night This latter quality makes
the white hibiscus valuable one to
work with, for in the many hybrids
produced artifieially from II the last
ing quality has. been established A
great variety Of pink hybrids, produc-
ed from crossing the native white and
the imported common red, have unus,
ual beauty and many OF them have
lasting qualities, notable among my
own productions being the Lillian
Wilder" which was the first of my
flowers to remain quite fresh for, over
"a hours
II is of interest to note that the
first record In these islands of the
common red variety. or Rosa Sinen-
sis. was contained in the journal of
one of the missionaries. about the year
1856. The flower was greatly admired
and carefully cultiyated--our present
wonderful hedges, one OF the distinc-
tive charms of Honolulu. are the nat
ural outcome OF those carefully nHr-
tured slips of long ago.
Later, other varieties were brought
here from abroad. unfortunately in
many cases the names of the persons
who introduced them are not available.
In this list is a beautiful single yell
low, found growing at the residence Of
Il. Faxon Bishop. A single magenta
with q dark center was imported by
Mrs. Messenger and many OF our most
wonderful varieties have been produc-
ed from this one. which is known
among us all as the Mrs. Messenger, !"
The double pink. locally known as
the peach blow" the large double
red. called ''brilliantissimus. and the
double cerise we're imported about the
year 1885 by Governor A. s. Cieghorn.
from a Philadelphia nurseryman. The
coral hibiscus. Schizopetalns.' was
brought here in 1890 from Southern
California
The double yellow, the double sal
mon and single buff yellow with
red center, called "Ah Pic, were said
to have been introduced by DR. Stan
genwald from Germany.
The aforementioned constituted
practically ali of the varieties up to
about the year 1902 At this time Mr..
Walter M. Giffard began creating new
varieties by -pollination. He
worked with the indigenous whites
and produced some very beautiful n.y.
birds. To him we owe the inspira-
ton which has led so many of us to
follow in the work. and which has re-
suited in making Honolulu unique in
the beauty and yarietg OF its hibiscus
flowers.
Professor Koebele told me OF the va.
rieties which he had seen in Java and
Fiji. and urged me to try to produce
new varieties. In 1906 | made my
first crosses, using the Mrs. Hassen.
ger. and a small double red called
''carnation. The results were inter.
esting. and ! have kept UP the work
ever since
During I9l0-t911 travelled in many
tropical countries and saw the fine
gardens Of Singapore. Penang. RAN
COON, Calcutta. Bombay, Colombo.
those on the islands of the British
West Indies, as well as Bermuda.
Cuba, Jamaica and Panama. but no.
where could they approach Hawaii in
the beauty and variety of hibiscus.
In Colombo there was an interest
ing collection OF about 80 varieties
produced about 1861. by Mr.. Hutton.
In Cairo there was an indifferent col.
lection.
In the Conservatives of Paris Der.
lin. Vienna and at Kew Gardens there
were some few varieties, but they
did not thrive as 10 Eawaii.
Each year sees many wonderful
flowers added TO dIf lists as our sue
cessiYe exhibitions have shown. Each