Anthurium, pronounced an-THOO-ree-um, are once-seen,
never-forgotten flowers! You may have come across them on
Caribbean holidays or in the Far East. Common names include
painter's palette, flamingo flower. Their unmistakable
glossy heart-shaped flower bract (which gives them their
popular name of painter's palette) surrounds the true
flowers, which are in the form of a spike (or spathe) at the
centre. Anthuriums come in shades of reds, pinks, white,
lilac, green and chocolate brown. They are available all
year round They last three weeks or more. The flowers should
not be chilled. The bracts are fleshy and very easily
bruised - take care when transporting or arranging these
fabulous flowers.
Bird Of Paradise
Closely related to the banana (how much more "tropical" can
you get!), this plant needs to mature 8 to 10 years before
it flowers! The bloom is long lasting and is a perfect
compliment to our bouquets from Hawaii.
Bougainvillea
Voted one of the world's most beautiful vines (Edwin A.
Menninger, Flowering Vines of the World), Bougainvillea is a
robust and spectacular evergreen or semi-evergreen climber.
The beauty of the Bougainvillea lies in the bracts
surrounding the small and inconspicuous flowers. The bracts'
range of colors includes the classic red, purple, orange,
apricot, white, pink, cream, yellow and bi-color mutations.
Some cultivars even exhibit variegated leaves. Of the family
Nyctaginaceae it is well known as Bougainvillea the world
over. It is easy to grow and loves warmth and sun.
Bougainvillea is native to Tropical and Sub-tropical South
America.
Gardenia
The gardenia is highly valued for its incredible fragrance,
long-blooming flowers and handsome foliage. There are over
250 species. The gardenia is named for Alexander Garden
(1730-91), a Scottish physician and botanist who lived in
Charleston, South Carolina.
Ginger
A large flower head composed of multiple bracts at the end
of a long thick stalk. There are many varieties of ginger,
each flower head with a distinctive shape. Color come in red
and pink most common. Also available are white, yellow and
cream. This species was named after the Italian botanist,
Prosper Alpinus. Ginger provides a strong vertical line. The
flower heads give a wonderful texture to a floral design.
Heliconia
Dramatic brilliant bracts of florets densely packed together
on thick stems. The flowers may be upright or drooping.
Colors are Orange, red, yellow, pink and some bi-colors.
Heliconia is named after Mount Helicon, the seat of the
Muses, the nine goddesses of the arts and sciences in Greek
mythology. Like their god Apollo, the Muses supposedly
remained young and beautiful forever. Much like the long
lasting and beautiful heliconia flowers.
Hibiscus
Commonly called rose mallow or rose of China, Hibiscus,
pronounced hib-ISK-us, is the Greek name for mallow. Colors
come in White, yellow, orange, pink or red. In Hawaii young
ladies place the flowers behind their ears or use them to
decorate their hair. A red hibiscus flower behind the left
ear denotes the desire to find a lover, behind the right
means she has already found one!
Ilima
Ilima grows in hot sunny places. It grows easily from seeds
or cuttings Ilima responds well to fertilizer. It is related
to hibiscus family. It grows 6-12 inches tall and has bright
yellow flowers that look like miniature hibiscus. It makes a
good ground cover. The bud is used to quench thirst on hikes
where ilima grows. Its uses can be to weave baskets or as a
laxative. They are good tasting. It takes about 1,000
delicate flowers to make 1 strand of a lei. The lei
represents the island of Hawaii.
Orchids
The meaning of the orchid is "Belle" or "Beautiful Lady" and
a more beautiful flower doesn't exist. There are up to
30,000 varieties found worldwide in almost every climate.
But none more beautiful than the dendrobium orchids grown in
Hawaii! They are among the most hauntingly beautiful of all
flowers. They speak to us of tropical earthly paradises
dripping with exotic splendour, but surprisingly they grow
in a wide range of habitats from the colder reaches of the
sub-Arctic to the tropical forests of the southern
hemisphere! They are found everywhere from the edges of
deserts to humid rainforests and have a preference for
tropical mountain ranges! The 25,000 described species range
from the subtle and dainty to the flamboyantly glamorous.
Since orchids are the largest family of flowering plants it
is easy for everyone to have a favourite of astonishing
beauty.
Pikake
A petite blossom in size, the scent of the Pikake is
magnificent! Known in the islands as Hawaiian Jasmine, the
pearl-like blossom is used to make gorgeous leis that
resemble delicate pearl necklaces. Experience the beauty of
the Pikake lei when you use this romantic fragrance.
Plumeria
The exotic Plumeria with its velvety texture and sweet
fragrance has been cherished in the islands as a lei flower
for years. The experience of using the Plumeria fragrance is
like that of wearing the lei.
Protea
The name Protea comes from the mythical sea god Proteus who
could assume many different shapes. The flower is
surrounded by colourful bracts which slowly open up to give
a flower head as big as 25cm across. Origin: Australia,
Southern Africa and South America. Proteas come in pinks,
creams, oranges, charcoal. They are available all year. They
are grown all over Upcountry Maui.
Stephanotis
Small, waxy, highly fragrant, star shaped flowers. The
blossoms are cut from a vine and sold stemless in humid, air
tight boxes or bags. They come in the color White. The name
is from the Greek words Stephanos (crown) and otos (ear),
the Greek name for myrtle which was used to make crowns.
These fragrant blossoms are used in many Maui wedding
arrangements.
Tuberose
The blooms open from the bottom up and can last up to 2
weeks if the stems are recut periodically. Mexico have been
cultivating this bulb for centuries. The Aztecs used its oil
to flavor chocolate. It is commercially grown for cut
flowers and as a source of perfume. It is still today a
popular plant in Mexico where you will see them displayed in
home gardens and in pots located near patios, walk ways,
decks, and other living space so that the fragrant flowers
may be enjoyed to the fullest . A single and double-flowered
version exist.
