Question
Dear Sue
I work on a yacht and we often have floral arrangements on the decktable outside. We are in Florida at the moment and will be cruising the Carribbean soon. My problem is I can`t seem to find flowers hardy enough to stand the heat and sun for more than two days. Do you have any suggestions on flowers that I can use outside. The owner of the yacht likes dark colors (burgundy, dark red, dark orange, purples etc)
Thank you for your time
Mish

Answer
Dear Mish,
Now that is a problem. Not many flowers like the heat, especially if they have been cut from the plant.  Look to more tropical flowers like orchids, proteas from South Africa (in fact there is alot of South African material about now) Ginger flowers, bird of paradise. Usually as a rule of thumb the thicker, more plastic looking the flower the more it will resist the heat.   Maybe opt for orchids left on the plant in a display with a few foliage plants and keep well watered.     There are also some very very realistic artificial flowers available now and although they will cost you a lot initially, they will be a good investment.
What a fantastic job you have, well done!
Regards
Sue
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