Let's Celebrate!

HIPS members are encouraged to visit the Botanic Garden at UH Hilo to celebrate National Botanical Gardens Day on May 10, at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

There are many tours and lectures throughout the day.

Schedule:

10 AM

Designing with Palms in Hawai’i

From towering behemoths to delicate miniatures, palms are a signature element of the tropical landscape — but not all species are equally suited for every design. This guided tour, set among a mature planting of over 150 palms, showcases their diversity of form and offers insights into which species are best suited for your residential garden. Learn how to select palms that offer the ideal combination of hardiness, visual impact, and low maintenance for your site.
Tour by JR Miles, Horticultural Manager

Noon

Founder’s Tour

Explore the garden with Don Hemmes, who helped transform this space into a thriving living collection. As the founding curator, he’ll share personal stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes moments from the garden’s earliest days. Learn how the collections came together, what inspired the plantings, and how the vision evolved over time. Whether you’re a plant lover or just curious, this tour brings the garden’s story to life in a way only Don can. Tour by Dr Don Hemmes, Professor Emeritus of Biology

2 PM
Why Plant a Cycad?

Cycads are bold, sculptural plants that bring a dramatic, prehistoric flair to Hawaiian gardens while requiring very little upkeep. This talk explores why cycads make excellent landscape choices—from their drought tolerance and slow growth to their value as conservation ambassadors. You'll also learn which species to avoid and which to seek out locally for a healthy, long-lived addition to your home garden.
Tour by Rob Talbert, Co-curator