Blooms from Hawaii: Tropical Flowers for Holiday Gifting

At dawn, brilliant tropical blooms along Maui's Hana coast burn deep orange, red, and frosted pink, like the rising sun. Lush green foliage surrounds them and sets off their dazzling hues.

But the beauty of these waxy-plumed heliconias, vivid torch gingers, heart-shaped anthuriums, elegant orchids, and spiky proteas lasts far longer than the morning. On a recent tour of the farms below, I watched as these captivating blooms were harvested and gathered into bouquets for sending to the mainland.

Floral gift boxes, $45 for a dozen stems to $125+ for 35–40 stems (plus greenery as stunning as the flowers), arrive within one to two days. Once arranged, flowers last a week or more in water-filled vases.

If your holiday decorating or gift list calls for flowers from paradise, order as soon as possible to ensure delivery by Christmas (call ahead for brochure and price list). Many farms are also open to visitors; call first for directions. All flowers and plants are approved for agricultural export.

For another way to use tropical blooms, see our stories on Island-style Christmas and Islands wreath featuring anthuriums.

Where to Shop

• Hana Tropicals. Tropicals flourish in Susie and Tony Pu's shade houses and fields. Cut flowers shipped in boxes or carefully packed glass vases tied with raffia. For Christmas decorations, ask about hanging bromeliad balls. Open by appointment. Box 247, Hana, HI 96713; (800) 456-4262 or www.hanatropicals.com.
• Maui Floral. Carver and Maureen Wilson have grown proteas on Haleakala Volcano slopes for 26 years. Besides incorporating other growers' tropicals into gift boxes and leis, they sell protea wreaths. 8–3:30 Mon–Fri. 310 Copp Rd., Kula, HI 96790; (800) 543-2727 or www.mauifloral.com.
• Nahiku Tropicals. Brad and Nedia Reid grow orchids and bromeliads. Cut-flower boxes at gift shop or ordered online. 8–5 daily; call before visiting. Box 324, Hana, HI 96713; (800) 250-3743 or www.maui.net/~reid.
• Na Pua 'Ohana. John and Dawn Lono grow 20 heliconia varieties; cut-flower boxes and leis. Store 'Ohana Lei & Flowers in Hana Town Center. 10–5 Mon–Sat. Box 495, Hana, HI 96713; (800) 438-9479, (808) 248-7064 (store), or www.ohanaflower.com.
• Na Pua O Helani and Helani Farm. On 70+ acres, Matt and B.J. Keiley grow vibrant tropicals for cut-flower boxes. By appointment. Box 571, Hana, HI 96713; (800) 385-5241 or BJ4flowers@aol.com.
• Sunset Tropicals. Terrie Roberts specializes in proteas; most popular gift box contains proteas, orchids, anthuriums, other tropicals. 8–3 Mon–Fri. Box 451, Kula, HI 96790; (800) 343-2243 or www.sunsettropicals.com.
• Tradewind Tropicals. Rebecca Buckley grows gingers, heliconias, calatheas. Ships cut flowers and arrangements in vases. Not open to visitors. Box 385, Hana, HI 96713; (800) 327-8097.
• Tropical Flowers and Bouquets of Hawaii. Virginia and Moses Timbal sell variety of homegrown tropicals. 10–4 Sat–Thu. SR Box 36A, Hana, HI 96713; (800) 654-7956.