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How Do I Choose the Best Tropical Flower Bouquet?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Choosing a tropical flower bouquet is a great way to make a bold, exotic statement with flowers. Whether creating wedding flowers or crafting a beautiful floral arrangement, using a tropical flower bouquet can ensure a unique look that incorporates many colors, scents, and unusual shapes. Some ideas to consider when choosing a tropical flower bouquet include the intended use of the bouquet, color palette, and durability.

For a tropical flower bouquet used at a wedding, look for flowers that coordinate with the personality of the wedding party and formality of the event. For an elegant, classic bride, consider a white bouquet made with tuberose, white plumeria, and white ginger. A wedding steeped in romance might call for bouquets of strong-scented, tropical lilies and roses in a range of colors. Brides who adore the unusual shapes found in the flora of the tropics may prefer a tropical flower bouquet of cascading orchids.

Because of their beauty and versatility, plumeria flowers are often chosen for bouquets.
Because of their beauty and versatility, plumeria flowers are often chosen for bouquets.

For centerpieces or home arrangements, be sure to consider the possibilities of height and contrast. Some tropical flowers, such as plumeria, are small and delicate, while others, like ginger and bird of paradise, are sturdy and tall. Creating floral arrangements that accent these differences can be a great way to build an eye-catching display. Using floral foam as a base allows each flower to be placed precisely to create the contrast and levels that make tropical floral arrangements so lovely.

Hibiscus flowers are a tropical flower that comes in a variety of colors.
Hibiscus flowers are a tropical flower that comes in a variety of colors.

The colors used in a tropical flower bouquet are very important to the finished look. Orchids and lilies may come in every color from deepest purple to lime green, and are great for strong color contrasts. Consider adding a few colorful roses to help fill out the arrangement and keep the color palette consistent. Ferns, bamboo shoots, and other green fillers can to help re-create the dense, lush greenery of the tropics, and help provide a nice background for bold colors in an arrangement.

Plumeria comes in several different colors.
Plumeria comes in several different colors.

When choosing specific blooms for a tropical flower bouquet, it is important to ask questions about the durability of the flowers. While some flowers, such as ginger and orchids, can last for weeks, others are far more delicate. Plumeria, for instance, bruises at the slightest touch, and may be difficult to find outside of tropical areas. Consider substituting silk flowers for delicate blooms in order to avoid bruised or discolored arrangements. Building an entire tropical flower bouquet out of realistic silk flowers can be a great way to preserve the beauty of the flowers permanently.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a HomeQuestionsAnswered writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a HomeQuestionsAnswered writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

croydon

@Ana1234 - Most of the time you will have tropical flowers in an outdoor setting though, so it shouldn't be an issue. In that case the scent can add to the atmosphere.

Don't just focus on the scent though. Many of the more vibrant tropical flowers aren't known for their scent, but they can do a lot to liven up a room or a gathering.

Ana1234

@MrsPramm - If you are planning on having strong smelling flowers like plumeria or lilies in your bouquet make sure the setting is appropriate for it. If you are inside and it's warm, the smell can be overwhelming and that won't suit everyone.

My mother had to change churches at one point because she couldn't take the overwhelming smell of the flowers they used every week (which were donated, so it's difficult to ask them to just change them).

It's one of those situations where too much of a good thing is possible.

MrsPramm

The nicest thing about plumeria is how gorgeous they smell. If you want them in a bouquet and you're planning to make it yourself, then you can use a trick that we were shown when we had a holiday in Tonga last year. They had plumeria everywhere and we all wanted to wear some in our hair, but the stems were quite short because of the way it's attached to the stalk.

So our guide showed us how to find a thin, straight twig and push it into the bottom of the plumeria stem to extend it. That way it had enough extra length to stay put when we put one behind our ears.

It would also work for short term bouquets, but I'm not sure if it would be good for the longevity of the flowers if you're planning to keep them for a while in a vase or something.

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    • Because of their beauty and versatility, plumeria flowers are often chosen for bouquets.
      By: phoopanotpics
      Because of their beauty and versatility, plumeria flowers are often chosen for bouquets.
    • Hibiscus flowers are a tropical flower that comes in a variety of colors.
      By: uckyo
      Hibiscus flowers are a tropical flower that comes in a variety of colors.
    • Plumeria comes in several different colors.
      By: yotrakbutda
      Plumeria comes in several different colors.
    • Orchids and lilies are tropical flowers that work great for centerpieces.
      Orchids and lilies are tropical flowers that work great for centerpieces.