Hawaii's Tropical Flowers Transport Florists to a Designer's Paradise |
Who doesn't want it all from flowers? Intriguing form, durability, long vase life, colors strong to subtle, textures soft to slick. With island florals, design can go from bold and dynamic to soft and romantic. Rooted in rich U.S. soil, Hawaii tropicals are easily within reach. Perhaps that's their real beauty. Each day, scores of dependable suppliers respond to the floral needs of designers across the mainland -- quickly, efficiently and with a true aloha spirit. And these designers know that, with Hawaii tropicals, less is more. "Even a few will do," says Ron Ota, AIFD, of Flower Power in Camarillo, California. "The eye-catching forms of many tropicals have so much character of their own, that just one or two can create a cost-effective impact to any table-top arrangement." DRAMATIC DIMENSIONS
"Business grand openings are the places to impress," says Hitomi Gilliam, AIFC, of Satsuki's Florist in Mission, British Columbia. "And what better way to make a bold, opening statement than with Hawaii tropicals? The hot colors of heliconias, birds of paradise and gingers are among the biggest promoters for a new business." Color is key, certainly, but size intensifies the impact. "Hawaii tropicals naturally lend themselves to towering, vegetative arrangements," says Gary Brewer, AIFD, PFCI, AAF, of Celebrity Inc. in Tyler, Texas. "The stem structure is as important as the flower itself," he says. "It adds strength, rhythm and flow to an arrangement, providing definitive line and direction." Ota takes advantage of this attribute by using Hawaii ginger to add height to large church bouquets. "They are so much longer than gladiolas or field flowers that I have to do the arrangements on site," explains Ota. "But they sure give a noteworthy look to wedding arrangements." In sympathy tributes, the length of tropical flowers is ideally suited to the European formal linear style, says Ota, adding that the subdued pinks, mauves, creams and golds of anthuriums, orchids, banksia and protea pay noble respect to the deceased. "Hawaii tropicals give sympathy tributes a stately and serene look,"
he says.
FRIENDLY FLORALS While island florals are a cut above when it comes to grand displays, the smaller varieties of tulip anthuriums, orchids, mini birds and protea are equally appealing in everyday arrangements. That's because the clean, bold architecture of Hawaii's tropicals offer perfect contrast to the softer lines and textures of mainland standards -- even when the objective is a modest Victorian garden look. "New varieties of a softer palette are compatible with current garden design trends," Gilliam says. For a Victorian look with an eye-catching twist, Gilliam finds that mauves, pinks, salmons and whites in the smaller tulip anthuriums complement roses and field flowers. Gently rounded and lacy dendrobium orchids offer a delicate element and come in a wide array of cool Victorian colors. More and more mainland brides are saying "I do" to the elegance provided by Hawaii's tropical flowers. "In their more subdued colors, Hawaii flowers blend well with other standard varieties," Gilliam says. "The unique forms of tropicals add dimension and texture to traditional wedding arrangements." For a Secretary's Week bouquet that stands out from the crowd, Gilliam suggests using Hawaii tropicals. How? A simple bud vase sporting just a few anthuriums, orchids, miniature heliconias or pincusion protea, complemented by a lush foliage like small philodendron, fern, dracaena or palm, creates an affordable oasis in a busy workplace. "And, because of tropicals' longevity, the secretary will still have flowers to take home at the end of the week," adds Gilliam. Even men -- traditionally on the giving end of floral expressions -- will appreciate receiving a gift of aloha. The warm colors and strong architecture of protea, birds of paradise, gingers and heliconias appeal to the masculine sense, says Jack Richards, AIFD, of Windsor Cottage in Salem, Oregon. Bright reds and darker purples of tropicals contrasted with Hawaii foliage stand alone as a welcome tribute for Father's Day, graduations or business achievements. A LONG-LASTING EXPRESSION Whether used in majestic displays or demure nosegays, the intriguing form, melange of textures and striking colors of Hawaii tropical flowers provide limitless creative opportunities for the floral designer. Add superior vase life, blossom quality and size, cleanliness and stem length, and it's now wonder Hawaii-grown flowers -- the flowers grown and delivered with aloha -- are the designer's top tropicals. "Tropical flowers command attention," says Ota. "The bottom line says it all: They keep my customers coming back again and again." |
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When the occasion calls for an expression as
powerful as the Hawaii sun, it's time for tropicals.