February means romance is in the air with Valentine's Day coming up. If you are trying to think of a unique idea to give your special someone, here are some suggestions. We encourage you to rethink the typical roses, and instead support local growers. There are a wide variety of exquisite flowers and foliage grown on the Big Island. Most are longer-lasting than traditionally-used spring flowers and much cheaper since they don’t have to be imported.
We want to specifically focus on Anthuriums, one of the dominant flowers now associated with Hawaii’s culture and climate. Though not native to the Islands, they were introduced here in 1889, brought over from the rain forests of Central and South America. During over a century of adaptation and hybridization, they have become an important commercial industry in Hawaii.
A variety of anthuriums in vases
How can you go wrong with a flower that is heart shaped and has so many color options, but is commonly red? According to Feng Shui, Anthuriums attract positive energy and bring good luck to your relationships. The flower is known universally as a symbol of hospitality. They have become popular in the floral world for their unique shape, vibrant colors, and for how long-lasting they are after being cut. The colorful part of the Anthurium is actually a bract called the “spathe”. The protrusion coming off the “spathe” is called the “spadix” and contains tiny flowes which produce seeds.
small heart-shaped Princess Lily anthuriums
These amazing plants range from the smaller “Tulip” Anthuriums to the extra large Obake.
Tulip cultivars are less heartlike, often with a more sheath shape. They come in red as well as shades of pinks, whites, and purples which are lovely in small arrangements or lei po’o (head lei). Obake Anthuriums are usually larger, with an exhibition variety known to measure a foot in diameter! Their colors usually have some green mixed with red, pink, or white. The word “Obake” means “ghost” or “a thing that changes” in Japanese, alluding to their varying and unpredictable coloration and shapes. The standard heart shaped Anthuriums range in size from small to large with a color assortment of reds, oranges, peaches, pinks, whites, speckled, and even greens. (Watch out St. Patrick’s Day!)
Oshiro white anthuriums
A potted Anthurium plant makes a great gift also. They can either be kept in the house or planted outdoors in a shady, moist, well drained area. Once in the ground, it will spread out, bloom often, and be a source of joy for years to come.
Here on the Big Island we have many commercial Anthurium farmers, mainly on the east side of the island, where anthuriums grow very well. We appreciate the wonderful, hard-working plant and flower growers we work with and do our best to source our flowers locally. Show your aloha by supporting local plant and flower growers this Valentine’s Day.
arrangement featuring Obake, Leilani, and Marian Seefurth anthuriums