Exotic exuberance that effortlessly bridges the gap between tropical and traditional.
If you have even a little familiarity with cut flowers, you may have a few that come to mind when you hear the term “tropical”: ginger, birds of paradise, heliconia, anthurium… Once you’ve seen them, they’re hard to forget! Long, woody stalks with large, vibrant, hugely expressive heads of waxy grandeur. Many of these tropical treasures evolved to attract birds – rather than insects – to facilitate their pollination, so understandably they are impressively sizeable. Nevertheless, although absolutely gorgeous, their size and graphic nature can make it very difficult for them to “play nice” in more traditional wedding arrangements. In short, tropical flowers beg to be showcased. If you want a totally tropical feel for your wedding, any combination of these are sure to create a heady, equatorial lushness for your celebration.
Love the idea of bringing the tropics to your table or are just fond of a hint of different, but feel a little intimidated by these all-star tropicals? Then let us suggest (drum roll, please!) PROTEA! Protea, specifically varieties like pin cushion, leucadendron, blushing bride and sunset, are remarkably versatile flowers that provide an amazing burst of texture and color while being small enough to nest in with a near-endless array of more traditional options. Think fluffy hydrangea and spring favorites like ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, and craspedia paired with the sophisticated fringe of pincushion protea atop a leaf-lined vase.
King and Queen varieties of protea are larger, more “center-stage” flowers with subtle, muted colors. Think lush, tumbling cascades of jasmine vine, seeded eucalyptus, anemone, and poppy pods with soft pink king protea as a worthy focal point to get you that cascading, impossibly gorgeous “just picked” feel.
There’s a ton of potential for subtly tropical, seriously eye-popping combinations! Protea is definitely a team-playing tropical that won’t drop the ball on the big day.
Protea Facts:
Season: Available year-round with limited availability for some varieties
Colors: Yellows and oranges, reds, blush pinks, and burgundies
When to Use: When you want a twist of the tropics without sacrificing traditionality. Or for full-on rainforest lushness, of course.
For more protea perfection, check out our Pinterest board!
