Perla Reynolds
Tropical flowers are often called "exotic" and never fail to provide a special wow given their colors, shapes and textures. Often bold in color, it is not usual to see tropical flowers in vibrant reds, yellow, orange, green, pink and of course, white.
From the Bird of Paradise to the anthurium, ginger to the orchid, it is easy to see why the term "exotic" is associated with tropical flowers. And tropical flowers are ideal for fun, festive celebrations be it a special birthday, to cheer someone up who is feeling ill, or to thank someone.
Another benefit of tropical flowers is they are often long-lasting, can tolerate warm temperatures, and actually prefer humid environments. True to their nature, tropical flowers and plants thrive in environments with humidity and benefit from regularl misting.
In fact, if they are refrigerated they can turn brown or black in color so tropical flowers should not be stored in coolers or at temperatures below 60 degrees. The tropical designs are created by the owner and creative director of Green Fresh Florals + Plants, Carlos Franco. Heliconia, or Lobster Claw, is a plant related to bananas, cannas, and gingers and has around 200 species that grow in tropical regions of the globe. Anthuriums also called the “flamingo flower” or “Hawaiian heart,” are native to tropical regions of America from Mexico to northern Argentina and Uruguay. The anthurium is open, heart-shaped spathe and grows in a variety of colors from red, wine and white to green. It functions to protect a spike of miniature flowers known as the spadix that is carefully arranged around a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in the spathe, characteristic of the arums.
Ensuring well-drained soil to prevent stems and roots from rotting is the trick so pick a pot for your anthurium planting that has a drain hole and saucer. Ginger spreads and emerges from the thick fleshy root-like structures known as rhizomes with leaves that are usually lance-shaped or oblong and deep glossy green. Maraca ginger is cherished for the medicinal properties making it fashionable to use for sprains, indigestion, stomach pains, and toothaches. The Maraca ginger is believed to have originated in India and can reach 7 feet in height, with long narrow leaves arranged oppositely on the stems. About mid-way thru summer, separate stalks grow out of the ground with green cone-shaped bracts that resemble, you guessed it, beehives or pinecones. While initially green, the bracts turn red over several weeks; then small creamy yellow flowers appear on the cones.
With most varieties available year-round in stunning red, purples, pinks, yellows, burgundy and orange, these flowers are hugely popular for use in wedding and event decor. Mokara orchids are relatively easy to care for and thrive inconsistent temperatures between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit in environments with at least 80% humidity.
These orchids do not tolerate any disturbance or damage to their root system, which, can make them unlikely to bloom and force them into decline for a season or more. There are 51 genera and more than 3400 known species of bromeliads, growing mostly in the tropical parts of Central and South America although they are highly adaptable. The foliage of a bromeliad usually grows in a rosette with patterns and a variety of bright colors but varies greatly and can be broad and flat or thin, spikey, or soft. The blooms are usually long, tapering buds that present upright or they can also fold over in a draping manner, depending on the variety.
Musa thrives in high temperatures and humid environments and produces flowers in mid-summer in a range of whites, purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows. The banana bloom is usually available year-round in floral shops that showcase unique and unusual flowers.
The Musa Ornata, in all its varieties, is grown commercially in Hawaii and South America for North American consumers. The Ti leaf, known as the Hawaiian Good Luck plant, is a staple in floral shops with its smooth blade-shaped leaves that can measure about four inches wide and range from one to two feet in length.
Available in hues of green, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and red (depending on the variety), the Ti leaf is a crucial ingredient of Hawaiian leis. The leaves are versatile, and their shine and shape make are a perfect complement to many floral arrangements, mainly tropical.
The ti leaf is used to line the inside of clear glass vases and as vertical backdrops for bright, tropical flowers. The palm leaf is a universal element for tropical arrangements due to their leafy green hue and fan-like shape. They are perfect building blocks in a large tropical arrangement, and they provide a great background to pinks, oranges, and yellows.
Fatsia japonica, commonly called the paper plant or fig leaf palm, is an evergreen shrub that produces large, glossy hand-shaped leaves that can be up to 16 inches across although they come in a range of sizes. In the fall and winter months, the fatsia produces globe-shaped clusters of white flowers followed by small black fruits.
