The Big Island's flowers and foliage conjure up visions of contrasting color and texture and memories of fragrance. Tropical flowers and greenery have long been a symbol of Hawaii's rich, exotic vegetation and beauty, and they have always been a part of the island's culture.

Floriculture, made up of flowers, foliage and nursery products, is the largest agricultural sector on the Big Island. Blossoms are shipped out primarily as cut flowers to fill the demand from export markets on the U.S. mainland, though requests for potted tropical ornamental plants and flowers are on the rise. The potpourri of popular exports includes anthurium, exotic tropicals, orchids, protea and foliage.

Anthurium

The first anthurium, translated from the Greek word for "tail flower", arrived in Hawaii in 1889 and has blossomed ever since. Its long stem can be from 15 to 20 inches, and the spathe, or petal, ranges in color from bright red to pink to green to white, and even two-tone. The spathe's unique heart-like shape and almost plastic texture make it a stunning stand-alone bloom or the perfect complement to any tropical arrangement.

Anthurium are perfect in flower arrangements because of their long vase-life: 10 to 45 days, depending on the variety and conditions. They also travel remarkably well and can be easily revived by trimming a half-inch from the end of the stem and immersing the entire flower in cool water for 15 minutes. Unpack anthurium immediately upon receipt, being careful not to injure the petal.

Exotic Tropicals

The Big Island bouquet of exotic flowers includes heliconia, gingers and birds of paradise. They boast both brilliant and subdued colors, from the deepest coral to the brightest orange. They come in a variety of unusual shapes and sizes, adding drama and texture to any floral arrangement. Another advantage-they last longer than most flowers.

The bird of paradise, originally from South Africa, gets its common name from the exotic appearance of its flowering head that resembles a tropical bird. The stem of the plant can be likened to the long neck of a bird, while the vibrant flowers resemble a tuft of feathers upon the "bird's" crown.

Heliconia were first introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in 1958 from the Caribbean. The flowers are enclosed in large waxy bracts that come in a rainbow of bright colors. The plants can reach heights of up to 20 feet, producing flowers as large as 8 inches wide and 16 inches long.

Native to the Western Pacific, the ginger plant's blossoms range from petite flowers to torch-shaped clusters. The white and yellow flowering varieties are among the most fragrant. The torch-like red and pink blossoms can measure up to a foot long.

Orchids

The Big Island is also known as the Orchid Isle, and there is no shortage of blossoms grown here. Orchid cultivation began in Hawaii in the late 19th century after plants were brought from the Philippines.

Orchids flower in a variety of colors and shapes. Six varieties are grown commercially on the Big Island: dendrobiums, cattleyas, vandas, cymbidiums, oncidiums and phalaenopsis. They range in color from white to red to yellow to violet and in character from the stately single multi-colored blossom of the cattleya to cascading sprays of flowers on the oncidium and dendrobium.

The flowers are used in floral arrangements, to make flower leis and even as a garnish on food and drink items. They are exported both as cut flower and potted plants.

Protea

The protea, originally from South Africa and named after the Greek god who could change his appearance at will, is one of the most diverse flowers around, with approximately 1,000 varieties. Its tubular flowers in large, tight clusters are surrounded by brightly colored bracts. It boasts a startling diversity of shapes, sizes, hues and textures, some appearing soft as a cotton ball, some as prickly as a pincushion. The end result: a bloom that resembles a very colorful artichoke or thistle.

Four main varieties are grown on the Big Island: king, banksias, minks and pincushions. All hold their color and shape for weeks, and are excellent for drying. Protea are thirsty flowers: be sure they have plenty of water.

Foliage

The Big Island's foliage industry is among the fastest growing of the island's major agricultural crops. It includes plants that grace the interior of homes and commercial buildings, as well as those that can survive outdoors in mild climates. Foliage plants in popular demand include palms, bamboo, a variety of dracaena and bonsai.

Bamboo, actually a grass, varies in height from 1 foot plants to giant trees that can grow up to 100 feet. Bamboo plants are exported for both ornamental additions-as borders or texture in gardens-and utilitarian purposes, used for construction or art materials.

Palm trees come in a large variety of shapes and sizes. Some, such as the ponytail palm, can be kept in a pot indoors, while others, such as the coconut palm need plenty of outside room for growth. The Big Island's diversity of palms is overwhelming, and exporting the trees for indoor and outdoor use is on the rise.

In Asia, dracaena is a traditional gift believed to bring good fortune. Several varieties of dracaena are grown on the Big Island, and the foliage plant is popular because it performs well in low light conditions, grows slowly so it won't exceed its space and looks beautiful for years.

The Big Island has emerged as a leader in bonsai, especially planted on lava rocks. Originating in the Orient, bonsai are miniature replicas of majestic trees, pruned and shaped to show off their natural growing habits. Because they are grown in containers and can be either indoor or outdoor plants, bonsai are increasing in popularity worldwide.

Even the ti plant is catching the attention of mainland and international plant aficionados. Used by Hawaiians for hundreds of years for wrapping food, making medicines and clothing, its shiny, waxy leaves vary from deep green to variegated with shades of pink, making it a popular ornamental plant as well.

Early in the 1990s, the Big Island took its place as Hawaii's leader in diversified agriculture. The Big Island alone hosts nearly one million of the state's 1.8 million acres in agricultural production. This Big Island success story is a result of the wide range of growing conditions and climates, available land and resources, and the pervasive entrepreneurial spirit of the people who live here.

Farmers can grow just about anything on the island, and the County of Hawaii developed a branding program to help consumers identify these exotic Big Island products. Look for this logo and be assured the product is indeed from the Big Island-Hawaii's Best.

Agricultural tourism brochures were made possible thanks to the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, State of Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Hawaii Island Economic Development Board.