• Hibiscus flowers are typical of the tropics.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Tropical vacation destinations provide a feast for the eyes with the range of exotic and strange looking flowers that travelers do not find at home. People associate plumerias with Hawaii because these flowers make traditional leis and floral necklaces, while hibiscus and bougainvillea are found all over the tropics. The pointed and colorful shapes of heliconias and bird of paradise flowers never fail to evoke the tropics.
  
  

Bird of Paradise

• The orange and blue bird of paradise flowerstrelitzia reginae image by Shirley Hirst from Fotolia.com
  
  The bird of paradise flower (Strelizia reginae) is native to South Africa but is grown all over the world for its long-lasting, spectacular flowers. Strelitzia plants grows as an erect clump of pointed, oar shaped leaves up to 3 feet high. The flowers, borne on long stems, have three orange sepals and three blue to purple petals. Birds of paradise are frost tender and thrive in full sun or partial shade. Propagation is by division of mature clumps or from seed.
  
  

Bougainvillea

• Bougainvillea flowers are actually modified leaves.Bougainvillea image by rizafna from Fotolia.com
  
  The South American bougainvilleas are vigorous climbing shrubs or vines that grow in a wide range of colors. Their bright flowers, actually modified leaves or bracts surrounding tiny white flowers, are produced throughout the year in tropical and subtropical areas. Bougainvilleas can be grown as a climber or hedge or even a free standing shrub. Regular pruning and bright sunlight encourage flower production.
  
  

Plumeria

• Plumeria flowers come in large clusters.Orange White Plumeria image by djonghs from Fotolia.com
  
  Plumerias, or frangipanis, are native to the Caribbean and Central America. They grow as a large shrub or small tree up to 40 feet with fleshy stems and oblong leaves. The abundant and fragrant flowers, ranging in color from white and yellow to dark pink are as much as 4 inches across and come in clusters framed by leaves. Plumerias grow well in full sun and tolerate some drought. They drop their leaves at or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  

Hibiscus

• Hibiscus is a common and beautiful tropical flower.hibiscus image by Christophe Fouquin from Fotolia.com
  
  Originally from South Asia the hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is one of the most widely cultivated ornamental plants in the tropics. The most common cultivars have red, white, orange, pink or yellow flowers with single and double blooms and even mixed colors. The flowers of all varieties last only for one day. Hibiscus plants thrive in full sun and tolerate most soil types, although temperatures 30 degrees Fahrenheit and below are fatal. Hibiscus plants require plenty of water, especially in the summer.
  
  

Heliconias

• Exotic heliconias flowers attract hummingbirds.Heliconias image by lynnmohd2 from Fotolia.com
  
  The heliconias are native to the tropical Americas and islands of the South Pacific. The 80 species are closely related to bananas and are variable in size with some species only 3 feet high and others reaching 25 feet. They produce fleshy flowers with a waxy surface that are often red, yellow or orange. Heliconia flowers attract humming birds and can be erect or dangling. Heliconias are not frost tolerant and are propagated by division of their fleshy, tuberous roots.