Tropical flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors can be found in Hawaii - anthuriums, birds of paradise, ginger in incredible pinks and reds, heliconias, orchids, plumeria and many, many more. Literally thousands of species of these beautiful gems of nature all make up - The Colors of Hawaii.

What really makes Hawaii unique are the exotic tropicals, proteas and orchids - you see them everywhere!

One flower that thrives in this climate is the protea. Perhaps nowhere in the world do they grow in such abundance. Protea are native to Africa and are part of an ancient plant species that can be traced back 330 million years, with over 1500 varieties. The reason why they grow so well in Hawaii is because the base climate is so tropical, yet the crater`s slopes provide a wide range of micro-climates for growing alpine species as well.

Tropicals are everywhere in Hawaii. They grow best in rocky, loose soil that has good drainage. They grow wild in the rainforests, along roadsides and in backyards. Blend several tropicals with a variety of greenery and you`ve got a truly breathtaking floral arrangement.

And the most exotic of all the exotics, the orchid, can be found in a rainbow of varieties in Hawaii. Unrivaled for their willingness to adapt to a wide variety of conditions under cultivation, the orchid has been steeped in myth and mystique throughout history. Orchids stand supreme for their beauty and diversity.

So while you're here in Hawaii, don't forget to take time out to, well - stop and smell the roses! And enjoy all the beauty The Colors of Hawaii have to offer.