Schefflera Arboricola - Hawaiian Elf Schefflera. (Plant Palette)

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As mid-winter is upon the land and all but evergreen trees and shrubs are laid bare or reduced to their simplest form, a diversionary escape is in order. A trip to the tropics and memories of warmer times is the perfect antidote to the January blues.

A glimpse of the lush and opulent Schefflera arboricola may produce the desired effect. Native to the Taiwanese tropics but called the Hawaiian elf schefflera, this lovely tree makes a bold statement and may be used indoors very successfully when temperatures dip below those found in Western Garden zones 23-24 where it commonly thrives. Of course, Hawaiian zones inspire its greatest potential.

A member of the Araliaceae …