Exotic Flowers

exotic flowers header vanda orchid

You don’t need to travel all the way across the Atlantic to enjoy beautiful exotic blooms. One of the best parts about living in South Florida is the amount of strikingly colorful flowers from faraway tropical regions that can thrive in our warm coastal climate. If you’re looking to brighten up your yard with something a little out of the ordinary, why not consider some of these bright exotic blossoms that we carry here at Living Color?

Tropical Flowers of Asia

Central and South Asia are home to some of the most breathtaking blooms imaginable. You’ll love the vibrant colors that these Asiatic flowers bring to your backyard.  

Vanda Orchid: Also known as the Singapore Orchid, this spectacular flower dangles from trees in tropical forests in its native regions. Vanda Orchids are epiphytic, which means they don’t need very much soil and are accustomed to growing out of tree bark or cracks in rock faces, feeding off of built-up organic matter. It does best as a container plant since it doesn’t bode well when things cool down. Although cooler temperatures aren’t often an issue in our area, it’s a safe bet to keep it in a container to move back inside just in case.

Chinese Hibiscus: This popular bloom is both beautiful and delicious! Its brightly colored petals are often brewed into medicinal teas. It doesn’t tolerate the cold, so in northern regions of Florida it’s typically a container plant, but here in the south, we can plant them outdoors successfully. The scarlet red variety is certainly the most iconic, but the yellow, pink and orange varieties are also incredibly lovely.


exotic flowers chinese hibiscus red


Exotic Flowers of Africa

So many magnificent flowers originally hail from Africa. We are quite lucky to be able to enjoy their beautifully colored petals here on the other side of the pond.

Mussaenda: These peculiar plants are like two flowers in one! Large floppy petals surround a tiny little blossom in a contrasting color, making this shrub one of the most unique and interesting of its kind. They need at least six hours of direct sun each day, so plant them in a sunny spot in the yard and cover the surrounding area with a layer of mulch, being careful not to pile any up near the plant’s stems.  

Bird of Paradise: This distinctive blossom is one of the first that comes to mind when you imagine exotic tropical flowers. Its pointed yellow-orange petals fan out, drawing the attention of many admirers. Bird of Paradise is generally a low-maintenance flower to care for, as long as it is watered regularly and planted in well-draining soil. Drainage is very important for the Bird of Paradise, as the roots are prone to rotting in overly soggy soil.


exotic flowers bird of paradise


Hawaiian Tropical Flowers

While these flowers are also native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, when you see them, you immediately picture Hawaii. Skip the trip to Maui and plant some of these gorgeous flowers in your yard. Every day will feel like a holiday!

Anthurium: These fabulous flowers with their waxy singular petal and bright stamen create a bold statement in any garden, making them a favorite among gardeners who like a little attitude in their gardens. They do best in hot temperatures with indirect sunlight, as too much direct sunlight can scorch them. Raised garden beds with well-draining soil are a perfect spot to plant these flowers.   

Frangipani: The quintessential Hawaiian blossom! It’s difficult to resist picking one of these beauties and tucking it into your hair. This ultra-tough blossom can tolerate less-than-ideal soils, inconsistent watering and a little bit of neglect. The only thing it really seems to dislike is cold weather, so as long as it’s not too chilly, your frangipani should thrive beautifully.


exotic flowers frangipani hawaii


Exotic flowers add so much color and life to our outdoor landscapes. With a yard full of captivating blossoms like these, you’ll want to spend all day long outside enjoying the sights and smells of the tropics.

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