Proteas do not die! They dry! The Protea PRO-tee-uh, or the ‘Hawaiianized’ version PRO-tay-uh) is one of the oldest of the flowering plants dating back over 300 million years. Most Proteas originated in southern Africa and Australia. While there are over 1500 varieties in the wild, only 20-30 make up the majority of commercially grown varieties. Protea comes from the Greek god Proteus who had the unique ability to change shape, a very appropriate name for this incredible, extraordinarily diverse family of flowers. We would love to share some of the unusual exotic beauty of the magnificent Protea blossoms that grow so well on Maui's mountain farms. Click on photot to right to see and enlargement.

As briefly as possible, they are banana-likeplants which produce a brightly colored set of bracts which most people think are the flowers but they are not. The true flower is tucked inside the bract or flower boat. The bracts come in upright form almost like a claw or hand and as pendant or hanging forms. These are quite large in size.

To the left you see mostly different varieties of Ginger. There is a large protea in the lower right corner which is known as a King Protea. Then of course there is the Pink Ginger.

Antheriums come in a variety of sizes and last a very long time. They have an almost fake look to them but they are very real and very beautiful. They come in a variety of colors. There are green, pinks, reds and multi colored as you see in this picture. These range in sizes from 3 t 6 inches.

Tulip Antheriums are smaller and a little finer then the regular Antheriums. They range from 1 and a 1/2 inches to 3 inches and come in Lavendar, Pinks and White. They are great in wedding bouquets.

The Bird of Paradise is a large almost fake looking flower. It resembles a bird and therefore the name applies.It is fabulous in flower arrangements but not good for a bridal bouquet due to the fact that it is not soft enough looking or small enough to fit well. There is a smaller flower that resembles it that is sometimes used for bouquets.

With a year long growing season, this flower ships well in cold weather as well as warm and makes a perfect flower for shipping in the winter months. Each spray is about 12 inches long, with roughly 20 orchid blossoms, each about 2 inches across. Comes in purples, green and white. Dendrobium orchids used to be considered exotic and extravagant but in recent years they have become much more widely available. They still ooze glamour and elegance, with just a couple of stems adding a sophisticated touch to a room

Ti Leaves come in a beautiful shade of Burgundy as well as green. They are often used in arrangements and Hula Girls make skirts from them for dancing. They are plentiful here in Hawaii and they are also used to make a mock Maile Lei.