The low growing native Hawaiian ukiuki has several features that set it apart from other ground covers you might consider growing. Its most outstanding attribute is the bright blue berries that appear almost year round on stalks that rise above the arching strap-like leaves. The clumps of dark green ukiuki leaves can spread and fill in an area nicely without becoming invasive. The flowers that precede the berries are also lovely in their own right. Yellow stamens hang from the delicate pale blue petals awaiting pollination and the ensuing formation of berries. Overall, ukiuki is a useful plant that can add interest as well as beauty to many spots in your garden.
The ukiuki plant (Dianella sendwicensis) is indigenous to Hawaii. It arrived in the islands on its own but is also native to other places. The generic name Dianella is derived from the name of the Roman goddess Diana who was the goddess of chastity and the moon. The Latin word elle means small. These two words together probably refer to the delicate flower and its pale moon-like coloration. The species name sandwicensis refers to the Sandwich Islands, which is the name Captain Cook assigned to the Hawaiian Islands on one of his voyages in the 1770s.
This plant has often been referred to as a native Hawaiian lily since it is only one of two natives in the Liliaceae family. Recently, however, botanical taxonomists re-classified it into the daylily (Hermerocallidaceae) family and in 2017 that family became a sub-family in the Asphodelaceae family. These continuing plant re-classifications are the result of ongoing research into the distinguishing features of plant species.
Ukiuki plants can be found growing naturally in lower dryland forests as well as in higher wetter areas of Hawaii. The native plants are currently established on all of the main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe, though it is possible that they may have grown there in the past.
An herbaceous perennial, ukiuki grows in clumps of smooth dark green leaves about 20 inches long and about an inch wide. The leaf tips arch toward the ground as they grow longer, giving the plant a rounded appearance when fully mature. The light blue flowers of the ukiuki appear throughout the year on branching stalks or panicles that eventually bear the bright blue berries that distinguish this plant.
Within the berries are seeds that can be used to propagate ukiuki. Pick the berries when they are mature but still soft and keep them moist in a sealed plastic bag. Clean them while they are fresh in a bowl of water by rubbing them to remove the pulp. The viable seeds should sink within a few hours. The pulp and floating seeds can be discarded.
The best germination rate occurs when the seeds are planted soon after cleaning about one-half inch deep in a mix of one part perlite to three parts of a commercial potting mix. Keep the soil moist and the pots covered and wait. It may take as long as three months for all of the seeds to sprout.
Once four leaves have developed you can move the plantlets to a larger pot and keep them watered regularly in a shaded area in soil that drains well. At this point adding a small amount of fertilizer can help their development. Within six to eight months, once they have outgrown a one gallon pot, they are ready for out-planting.
It is also possible to propagate ukiuki vegetatively by removing large clumps, dividing them into smaller clumps and replanting them either in a pot or directly into your garden. Regardless of the propagation method, your new plants will do best in soil that drains well and in an area that is in full sun or partial shade. Add a slow release balanced fertilizer about twice a year for optimum plant health.
Once in the ground, your ukiuki will need very little care. You can remove dead leaves and spent berry stalks if you want but the plant is fairly self-maintaining. Occasional attacks of scale or aphids can be easily curtailed by early applications of insecticidal soap.
The eye-catching bright blue of ukiuki berries attracts birds that will eat them and often spread the seeds. Though new plants may appear from seeds spread by birds, the plant has not been determined to be invasive. Any berries left by the birds were sometimes used in lei making in old Hawaii.
Though kalij pheasants seem especially fond of the berries, you are advised against eating the fruit yourself. Though not toxic to humans the blue color will turn your mouth and tongue a bright blue. This tongue coloring might be worth it if they were delicious, but sadly they are nearly flavorless. The color, however, was prized by early Hawaiians as a dye and an extract of the fruit is still used for this purpose. They are also still used to make lei where they will not come in contact with fabric that could absorb their blue color.
The leaves were also useful in Hawaiian culture. Woven or braided together their strap-like quality made them good for cordage and an excellent thatching material for Hawaiian hale.
In the landscape, ukiuki is often used as an understory for taller plants or trees and makes an attractive border plant along a drive or garden pathway. It is wind, salt and heat tolerant allowing it to thrive in a variety of locations and conditions.
This attractive and useful plant is often available at local nurseries and is a special favorite of the Kona Master Gardeners. They have been growing it in the nursery at UH in Kainaliu and will be offering their seedlings for sale next Saturday, Feb. 9 at the 8th annual Wiliwili Festival at the Waikoloa Stables just mauka of Waikoloa Village.
If you can’t make the festival, call the Master Gardeners at 322-4892 after the sale to see if they have any left or give Margo Lundstrom from Sunrise Nursery a call at 640-9291 and ask her to find some for you.
This is a very versatile native plant, well worth considering as an addition to your garden.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living in a dryland forest north of Kailua-Kona.
Gardening Events
Tuesday: “CBB 101” 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the UH CTAHR Extension Service Office at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Hwy. across from the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Learn about coffee berry borer biology and current IPM control techniques. Free. For more information or to register please visit https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/
Friday: “CBB 101” 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.. at the UH CTAHR Extension Service Office at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Hwy. across from the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Learn about coffee berry borer biology and current IPM control techniques. Free. For more information or to register please visit https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/
Saturday: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
“Plant People Road Show” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. Talk story with 12 growers selling plants from different regions of the island. Orchids, bamboo, palms, anthuriums, succulents as well as other landscape plants will be featured. Free admission. For more information call 987-3231.
“8th annual Wiliwili Festival” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Waikoloa Stables at 68-1936 Waikoloa Road. Guided tours of the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve as well as workshops, educational talks, music, food vendors and a silent auction will be offered. This free event is hosted by Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative and Waikoloa Village Towncenter. For more information and a list of workshops and talks go to https://waikoloadryforest.org/wiliwili-festival or contact Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative at (808) 494-2208 or email jen@waikoloadryforest.org.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Hooulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay
Friday: “Pure Kona Market” 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” from 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Tuesday–Saturday: “U-Pick greens and produce” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4892
Mon., Tues. and Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu