As visitors might guess, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is brimming with rare palms, lush ferns and colorful orchids. � They might be surprised, though, to discover that this horticultural treasure - located on the Big Island of Hawaii - also offers inspiration for gardeners everywhere.

As visitors might guess, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is brimming with rare palms, lush ferns and colorful orchids. � They might be surprised, though, to discover that this horticultural treasure � located on the Big Island of Hawaii � also offers inspiration for gardeners everywhere.

When I recently had the opportunity to spend a day there, I � like many temperate-climate admirers, no doubt � was initially bowled over by the beauty, the variety, the sheer exotic-ness of it all.

Once I caught my breath, though, I began to realize that the Hawaii garden has plenty in common with its Ohio counterparts.

Along with a souvenir magnet and a longing to return someday, here are a few of the universal lessons that I brought home:

� Put the right plant in the right place.

�Why make life difficult?� David Tan, the garden�s executive director, said by phone. �Put plants where they like it.�

That little nugget is repeated by experts everywhere.

In Ohio, it means to plant coneflowers in sun and hostas in shade.

In Hawaii, it means to plant certain orchids in soil and others in trees.

Everywhere, it means that if you conduct some research and choose plants carefully, they�ll do the work for you.

�For the most part, we�re really lucky here because the plants take care of themselves, once established, because we have a complete ecosystem,� Tan said.

A thoughtful gardener anywhere could make the same observation.

� Keep up with maintenance.

�We have staff go through every morning to clear the paths,� he said.

During my visit, I watched workers busily trimming, grooming and cleaning.

Those tasks keep a garden looking its best, stimulate new growth and promote plant health.

� Design with the big picture in mind.

A network of paths invites visitors to explore; breathtaking ocean vistas reward them for their efforts.

Even a small home garden can include a short walkway, highlighted at the end by an unusual plant or sculptural accent.

In addition, the botanical garden features layers and layers of plants � with low growers near paths and towering trees set back.

�We like to have understory, midlevel and all the way up,� Tan said.

� Enjoy the wildlife.

During my visit, I glimpsed gold-dust geckos among the vegetation and a�ama crabs on the rugged shoreline rocks.

What creatures find homes in your garden � birds, butterflies, toads?

� Embrace the experience.

Time spent in any garden � sprawling or compact, far away or familiar � is a gift.

�My favorite thing about the garden is the transformation in the folks who visit,� Tan said.

�They�re happy and relaxed when leaving.�

Diana Lockwood is a freelance writer covering gardening topics.

cdecker@dispatch.com