Hawaii has special problems, temperate climate with no seasons. There is a American Rhododendron Chapter in Hilo, Hawaii. It can be contacted at: tropical@greensand.net They have a list of "Proven Performers" at: http://www.rhododendron.org/performers5.htm The list is all Vireya Rhododendrons which are subtropical and tropical plants originating from places like Borneo and New Guinea. The recommended varieties include: 'Aravir' 'Birat Red' 'Calavar' 'Candy Halo' 'Charming Valentino' 'Cristo Rey' 'Dawn Chorus' 'Doris Mossman' 'Elegant Bouquet' 'First Light' 'Great Scent-sation' 'Haloed Gold' 'Harry Wu' 'Highland Arabesque' 'Humbolata Bay' 'Java Light' 'Jock's Cairn' 'Kisses' 'Littlest Angel' 'Lucie Sorensen' 'Mount Pirie' 'Narnia' 'Popcorn' 'Saint Valentine' 'Simbu Sunset' 'Sirunki Lake' 'Taylori' 'Tropic Glow' 'Vladimir Bukovsky' A source of such plants is: http://www.pacificislandnursery.com/ Here is a link that might be useful: Hawaii Chapter of American Rhododendron Society

I mentioned vireya because I went to a presentation on them last night. Sherla, the presenter, showed how to prune/propagate them from a plant that was "one long stalk". She snipped just above the second-highest poodle-puff of leaves. Then she snipped just above the third-highest... all the way down until there was just one puff of leaves. (You can leave as many puffs as you like). The top remaining puff will send out new branches for a bushier plant. From each cutting (called a truss), she trimmed off at least half of each leaf, removed any flower buds, and trimmed the stem at an angle to about 2" long. Sink that stem firmly into a pot of spagnum or other media; make sure the plant can't move around, the roots are fragile. Then keep it moistly well drained but leave it alone until new growth starts in about 3 months or so. There's a great botanical garden just north of Hilo to check out; their link below also has a plant database that might help you find your ginger. Also, you're welcome to come to our club meetings; I belong to the Vireya Society, which meets the third Sunday of the month at noon and to the Big Island Water Garden Club, which meets the third Tuesday at 7 pm. Both meet in Keaau, which is just south of Hilo and include plant auctions/giveaways. And food. There are also Palm, orchid, and Bamboo clubs, but I don't belong and am not sure when they meet. Pretty much everybody welcomes strangers. Check Craigslist for rummage sales; most offer a selection of plants. http://www.bigisland-bigisland.com/Big-Island-Farmers-Markets.html list farmers markets. A friend of mine digs a hole for each plant she's going to buy before going to sales, and that keeps her focused. I think she's nuts. Here is a link that might be useful: Hawaii tropical botanical garden

Note: July meeting is NOT at the community center (can't edit original post). Not really sure where it will be. and forgot to mention, free vireya trusses (cuttings) at the meeting, with many people eager to tell you how to make them thrive!

updated 2015 meeting schedule: ¨ Oct. 18th. Zoo Outreach Day and work party 10am - 2pm. Truss and plant giveaway at the Pana'ewa Zoo. FREE PLANTS IN A PUBLIC PLACE! ¨ Nov 15 Kea'au Community Center 12 noon What's that bug? Speaker Bill Miller 2016 ¨ January 17 - Kea'au Community Center - Speaker TBD ¨ February 20 - Hilo Library Outreach - SATURDAY meeting 0900-1200 Truss and plant giveaway FREE PLANTS IN A PUBLIC PLACE! ¨ March 20 - Kea'au Community Center - Speaker TBD