I've always been fascinated with the texture and multiple colors of 'a'ali'i in all forms of lei-making, especially for hula dancers. Yet Island residents are mostly unaware how easily this resilient native Hawaiian plant grows in the home garden.

'A'ali'i (Dodonaea viscosa) also known as 'a'ali'i ku makani ('a'ali'i standing in wind), 'a'ali'i ku ma kua ('a'ali'i standing in back) or ku makani (wind-resisting), is an intensely variable species throughout its natural habitat.

Indigenous to all the major islands except Kaho'olawe, in diverse environments, ranging from sea level to 7,700 feet. It is established on barren open sites, exposed ridge crests, low pastures, shrublands, dry to intermediate and wet forest, and subalpine shrub land. It is also an early colonizer of lava fields.

'A'ali'i ranges from a medium-sized shrub to a small tree of 25 feet. Generally it is 6 to 12 feet in height, with one or several main trunks having finely fissured reddish-brown to blackish-gray bark.

Leaf size and shape (elliptic, spoon or lance) present much variation, generally longer (up to 4 inches) than wide, and often pointed. Glossy green in color, often with reddish stems or midribs. Young leaves are resinous, while older leaves have a rough, sandpapery feel. The tiny individual flowers emerge in terminal clusters, as either male or female, with the female flowers producing the ornate winged capsules (pink, red, reddish purple, yellow-green, green or straw colored) used for lei-making.

Hawaiians used the dense hard wood for hale (house) posts, tools ('o'o) and fishing spears, especially for he'e (octopus). Fire was made by rotating 'a'ali'i on a piece of softer wood, like hau. Leaves were used medicinally to soothe itches and rashes ('ohune). Flowers were used to reduce bitter flavors, and for dyes.

The caterpillar of one of our two native pulelehua (butterfly), Blackburn blue (Udara blackburni) feed on the buds and flowers of 'a'ali'i.

'A'ali'i is easy to grow. Air dry the papery fruit capsules in a bowl or paper bag at room temperature. Gently rub the fruits through an appropriate size mesh strainer, or between your hands. Overnight hot-water soaking of the seeds usually improves germination rate and speed, but this may not be necessary for fresh seeds. Surface sow seeds in a sterile, damp mixture, such as three parts perlite and one part peat, potting mix or fine black cinder. Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Place in a covered setting and keep moist. Germination may take two weeks to a couple months.

After the first four true leaves appear, transplant to 2-inch pots. Repot into larger pots with new mix when plants are twice as tall as original pots. Foliar feed monthly and move into the sun for hardening. Outplant your 'a'ali'i when they have outgrown a six-inch to one-gallon pot. Select a partial- to full-sun site and amend the planting hole with cinder or other coarse filler to create proper drainage. Few pests bother 'a'ali'i, but sometimes ants and their associated sucking insects are problematic. Treat with systemic pesticide and bait accordingly.

Landscaping with 'a'ali'i incorporates its rapid growth and drought-tolerant qualities, especially for the xeriscape garden. Use 'a'ali'i as a background, filler, accent, hedge or specimen plant. It's an attractive plant both with and without fruit. It is efficient as a screen. It can be trained in fence rows and is striking when espaliered (pruned and grafted to create formal two-dimensional or single-plane patterns of tree branches).

So, welcome 'a'ali'i, an extremely versatile native Hawaiian natural resource into your Island garden.