Walt Miyashiro’s yard may appear manicured and lush, but he refers to himself as a “lazy gardener.”
“I don’t want to do more than needs to be done,” the retiree said. “I propagate plants that don’t need a lot of care.”
These include “unthirsty” plants like bromeliads and succulents. And if something doesn’t take, it just gets replaced.
Some of the trees, like the Phoenix palms and pomegranate, have been there for more than 35 years, when Miyashiro, 76, moved into his Pearl City home with his wife, Wanda. Surinam cherry, avocado and mountain apple trees also grow on the property.
Two of their three grown daughters live nearby and often bring the Miyashiros’ grandchildren to visit what he refers to as the “magic garden.”
Adding to the enchantment is a bench Miyashiro created using two concrete blocks and a slab of wood painted a bright shade of red that sits in a corner of the backyard. Next to it a full-length mirror hangs on a wooden fence, surrounded by shocks of fuchsia bougainvillea and other plants. Underneath the bench is a ceramic frog planter with the words, “Have a Hoppy Day.”
It’s a space Miyashiro goes to when he wants to be alone.
Showy bougainvillea in varying shades grow along the back fence. Many are in pots to control their growth, but a few have outgrown their confines and set down roots. He likes to keep the hedge trimmed so he can enjoy the view overlooking Newtown.
In the other corner of the backyard is a butterfly garden of crown flowers, golden Eldorado, milkweed and other plants that attract the flamboyant critters. Fluffy, purple floss flowers add pops of color.
His garden is mapped out in plots: one for succulents, another for spinach and edibles. There’s even a small plot in the carport where he installed a seat removed from an old van to create a place to sit and enjoy the yard.
Miyashiro, who retired nine years ago from Hawaiian Cement after 44 years as a personnel manager and purchaser, said he likes “improvising.” He used old ceramic pots as accents and discarded bricks to make shelves, and placed sculptures throughout the garden.
He rarely waters and when he does, it’s with rainwater collected in buckets, which he uses to fill empty plastic detergent bottles that are easy to tote around the yard.
His frugality in the garden extends to the ways he acquires his greenery.
“People give me plants or we exchange. I almost never buy plants,” Miyashiro said.
He also supplemented his garden with landscape trimmings from Foster Botanical Garden and the Honolulu Zoo that would have ended up as green waste.
Planting is best during the winter months, according to Miyashiro. “There’s less sun and it gives the plants a chance of better survival,” he said.
Growing in the front yard is sisal, a species of agave whose fibers are used for twine, rope and textiles. Miyashiro said it reminds him of his youth, when it was used to make fences. “We dried the stems, sliced them in half to make the pieces for the fence,” he said.
A loquat tree provides another childhood memory. “We used to climb my neighbor’s tree and eat the fruit.”
Among his favorite plants in the yard is a thriving papaya tree that provides an abundance of fruit. “The roots started to grow under the compost pile and it took off,” he said.
Strawberry guava, there since the Miyashiros moved in, continues to flourish, offering its own bounty. “You shouldn’t plant it because it’s invasive,” he said. “Since it was already there, we’ve made lots of jellies and jam.”
Although Miyashiro pointed out plants that were special to him, he readily changed his mind.
“Honestly, any new plant that is added to my garden is my favorite.”
Far from a “lazy gardener,” he’s also a regular volunteer at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden and helps with the garden at the Lanakila Multi Purpose Senior Center in Liliha.
“Garden Party” spotlights Hawaii’s unique and exceptional gardens. Call 529-4808 or email features@staradvertiser.com.
