This entry was posted on August 22, 2014 by appleyard.
With the British ‘Summer’ coming to an end, many of us are considering that last minute get away to a dream destination. How about the Caribbean? In countries like Barbados, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, natural flowers and Country Parks boast some of the most tropical and exotic flowers. We have picked out 10 Caribbean flowers for you to read about and possibly discover?
Barbados Lily
Originally thought to have birthed in Brazil, the Barbados Lily's original name is the Hippeastrum Puniceum. This low maintenance plant is a gardener's dream as it looks great, smells great and complements flowers around it.
Barbados Lilies are commonly found growing in a deep red colour, however, you can find them in perfect pink and succulent orange colours. You can find similar liliesin many of our bouquets!
Anthurium
Anthurium are commonly found in rich variations of the colour red and in soils varying from sandy loams to heavy clay. The red, heart-shaped flower of Anthuriums is really aspatheor a waxy, modified leaf flaring out from the base of a fleshy spike where the tiny real flower grows.
Bougainvillea
The Bougainvillea flower is not known just for the beauty of its flower, but for the magenta bracts which can be found in various colours including yellow, white, salmon and pink. The flower itself is small and white, take a closer look! Originally from the sub-tropical regions of South America, it can now be cultivated in warm climates all around the globe.
Caribbean Lily
Otherwise known as the Scilla Peruviana and originally from the Mediterranean, the conditions of a hot climate has seen the Caribbean Lily make home of some on the most luxurious islands around the Caribbean Sea. It is commonly grown as anornamental plantfor its spring flowers; severalcultivarsare available ranging in colour from white to light or dark blue flowers.
Cattleya Orchid
Often used for corsages due to their exotic reputation, the Cattleya Orchids are found growing in Central America to Southern Brazil. Large quantities tend to grow in colonies. Each year a dormant bud at the base grows into a new shoot; this thickens to produce the current year's pseudobulb.
Hippeastrum
Hippeastrum, largely known as ‘Amaryllis’ grows long, strappy leaves and tall heads of 2–4 lush, colourful flowers. Red and red-and-white combinations are perennial favourites, but they also come in salmon, white and yellow.
Hibiscus
Hibiscusis a genus offlowering plantsin themallowfamily. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate,subtropicalandtropicalregions throughout the world. Member species are often noted for their showyflowersand are commonly known simply ashibiscus, or less widely known asrose mallow.
Claw Crab
These vibrant flowers get their name with theyellowandredflowers resembling small crab like claws. Also called the banana flower, crab claws have blossoms that grow in contradictory directions, giving the presence of being woven together. Other species have blooms that look like they're growing from the bracts beneath them.
Yellow Bells
Yellow bells is the national flower of both the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands and native to several Caribbean nations including the West Indies, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands. This drought-tolerant shrub grows best in bright, partially shaded areas in well-drained, rocky loam soils. Decorative clusters of joyful, trumpet-shaped golden blossoms sprout from olive-green, slender, erect branches.
Butterfly Jasmine
Butterfly Jasmine grows in tropical and subtropical parts of the Caribbean and is also the official national flower of Cuba and symbolises purity, rebellion and independence. This member of the lily family grows best in partial to fully shady habitats in nutrient-rich, moist soil. Butterfly jasmine produces clusters of one to five flowers that look like butterflies. Blossoms have three outward-facing, brilliantly white petals and have developed the reputation of being a rich and invigorating scented flower.
At Appleyard, our florists work with some of the most delicate and exotic stems from all around Europe. Our luxury flowers bring vibrant colour and seasoned aroma into your home, reminding you of those places we dream of visiting.
