Vireya are part of the rhododendron family, classified as a subgenus.
They are native to Southeastern Asia - New Guinea, Borneo, Sumatra and the
Philippines, growing quite often in the cooler mountainous areas. On the Big
Island of Hawaii, vireya, also called tropical rhododendrons, are successfully
grown from Volcano down to the coast.
There are about 300 species of vireya. Azaleas are part of this group.
Vireya grow well in the sun. Yet
locations of intense sunlight along with high afternoon temperatures should be
avoided. In this case filtered sun is best. On the other hand, planting vireya
in the shade will produce leggy shrubs with inferior flower production. No hot summer sun, no heavy shade.
It is important to plant vireya in soils and potting mixes that have
excellent drainage. In addition to growing them in the soil, and sometimes in
cracks and crevices, they can also be found growing as epiphytes. An epiphyte
is a plant that grows upon another plant such as a tree, but is not a parasite
on that tree. The epiphyte derives its
moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris
accumulating around it.
Vireya are well adapted for growing in pots and may even grow well
indoors in a well-lit room. They come in a variety of beautiful, vibrant colors
such as salmon, pinks, orange and yellows.
For those interested in learning more about vireya, join the Hawaii
Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society or search to see if there is a
chapter in your area.
