Sunday afternoon I found myself in a wine tasting room near the top of Haleakala, a brooding dormant volcano on the Island of Maui in Hawaii. The time change is a bit significant between Hawaii and the UK, but I think it probably is already Monday in the UK so I decided to borrow these vases for my post.
These are Queen Emma Crinum Lilies cut from the grounds of Maui Wine, located in Ulupalakua in the Upcountry of Maui. Another vase on the bar held Anthuriums, also from the grounds. The bar itself is 20 feet long and made from slices of an old Mango tree. Probably my favorite bar ever and the wines are pretty good. I bought 3 bottles. Call me girly, I like the Pineapple Wine.
The winery grows grapes and produces wine from grapes and pineapples. It is situated below a cloud forest of (among other things) Eucalyptus, Norfolk Pines and purple flowering Jacaranda trees. The tasting room is set in a lovely garden, Jade Vines cascade from a pergola, Agapanthus line the walkways, and tropical perennial beds surround a ring of wood sculptures emulating hula dancers. A misty rain was falling as we made our way up the mountain into the clouds. When the clouds part, the views of the coast sprawling below are spectacular.
Soon we will be packing up to head back to our slightly less tropical paradise in South Florida. I have seen some wildly tropical plants here and will be posting more pictures later this week.
Aloha!
The Shrub Queen 
What an amazing place. I love the crinums, I have never seen ones like them. The Mango bar is amazing and the Jade vine. Wow! It sounds as if you are having a wonderful time, I am looking forward to seeing more of Hawai’ s horticultural delights. I thought of you when I read about the hurricane in Florida. I hope you were unaffected.
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Hawaii is an amazing place – you would love it, plants are wild. The hurricane in Florida was a few hundred miles north of my house, neighbor let me know we got a beneficial rain! Two hurricanes passed by Hawaii since we have been here, no problem and very little rain.
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Lucky you! I’ve been wanting to go back to Hawaii since becoming a gardener.
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Yes, you wouldn’t believe the Gingers and Heliconias. And Orchids. And Trees! This is Zone 12 A and B.
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I don’t think I would make it back without a suitcase full and I am pretty sure most plants can’t be brought back legally. Remembering 26 years ago when I visited, I think they sold some plants (tubers) at the airport.
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Yes, just bought some tubers! Blue Ginger, a Hawaiian Orchid and Red Plumeria that are cleared for export. Is your red ginger a Hedychium gardensomethingur otherus?
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It is Costus barbatus, a spiral ginger. It grows nearly as tall as a Hedychium.
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Hmm, I have been seeing a lot of Kahili Ginger, which is beautiful but invasive. It comes in colors and I thought that is what you had – we saw a 12 foot tall Torch Ginger from the South Seas – will post the photos later.
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I am so jealous. Have a safe trip home. No plant smuggling.
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Thanks, luggage is searched for plants here! I am going shopping for certified products today.
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The Crinum Lilies are most unusual and make a great vase offering. Have fun, fun, fun. (Is that you in the photo?)
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Thanks, I like those Crinums. That is me tasting Pineapple Wine in the back.
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I am SO envious! My husband and I used to go to Hawaii regularly but a problem with severe vertigo (my husband’s, not mine) has put a halt to flights across the sea. Maui was a frequent destination and we always made a trip up to Haleakala when we were there, stopping to visit the protea gardens on the way back down.
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Arggh, Meniere’s? I am familiar with it. So sorry to hear about that. The Protea gardens were closed, unfortunately.
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What an amazing bloom – and bar top, and wine too by the sound of it! Enjoy the rest of your trip. Glad the hurricane missed your property (and garden of course!)
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Thank you, part of my garden could use a good blow out. Many tasks await. Til then I will settle in with a glass of Pineapple Wine..
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awesome blog! I feel like I am there with you!
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Thanks, Cyndi – does your blog not show up on WordPress anymore?
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not the treasure one. My other blog I will write something once in while that needs to be said but I don’t want it attached to anyone. thinking of something new like Treasurecoast free press
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OK, I would like to have TC Bitchfest. What do you think? Not meaning women.
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Love it!
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we can add it to the lineup lol i bought the domain now i just to have time to do something with it
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Wait-you bought TC Bitchfest?
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hahaha no I bought treasurecoastfreepress
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Good, I will write a post about being called a Yankee.
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Please write anything u want and send it me
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you can buy on tc bitchfest for 10 bucks on go daddy.
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Each week your post gets more exotic! Hawaii looks beautiful too.
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It is much more exotic in Hawaii!
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Maybe one day you’ll surprise me by plonking some carnations in a vase.
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While faffing!
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