Flowering Gums

This summer, we're embracing familiar yet often overlooked blooms in the field: flowering Gums. The lush evergreen leaves of the Corymbia ficifolia or Gum Tree are harvested year-round and have become a popular foliage for garlands and wreaths. However, did you know that many varieties of gum produce a profusion of bright flower clusters during the summer? These flowers are not typical flowers though, as these showy blooms are made up mostly of anthers and styles, rather than petals. And in most species, the buds appear in masses on a single stem that develops on the axil of the leaves. These nectar-rich flowers can be found in hues of white, yellow, cream, red, pink, salmon, orange or even bi-colors and the stamens are held in small cup-like bases.

Flowering Gum Bouquet

Apricot Delight

Summer Snow

Calypso Queen

Summer Glory

Fairy Floss

Little Sweetie

Summer Beauty

Bush Lollies

When it comes to holidays, July 20 has a little something for everyone! Not only is it Mel’s Birthday, Ugly Truck Day and National Fortune Cookie Day, it's also National Lollipop Day!

Ah, lollipops… the kid-time favorite is reminiscent of Disneyland where large twister lollipops are a popular treat. What? Not your idea of a ‘healthy’ treat? Swearing off the fake sugars and dyes? Watching calories?

Well then, delight your eyes (eye-candy) and arouse your fingers with these texture-packed pops. A beautiful bunch of Blush Lollies or grevillea flowers as we call them, may be one of the healthiest treats you can get. These gorgeous lollipop-like blooms are perfect if you’re looking for something a little unusual and screaming with color.

Delightful and ever so sweet, these gorgeous flowers have been satisfying the senses for generations, possibly even for centuries. Did you know that Grevillea flowers were a traditional favorite among Aborigines for their sweet nectar? The pollen could be shaken onto the hand to enjoy or mixed with a little water to make a sweet drink. And, these awesome blossoms are also extremely popular among the birds, bees and butterflies.

Happy Lollipop Day and of course, Happy Birthday Mel!

It’s summer: Time for Pink Ice

Pink Ice is truly the perfect summer flower. That's why when August arrives and the heat is on, we say, why not ‘chill out’ a bit… enjoy something hardy and long-lasting? With a few Pink Ice, some gorgeous foliage and the twist of your wrist, this beautiful bouquet will survive any heat-wave!

Pink Ice Bouquet – Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 5 stems of protea Pink Ice
• 2 stems of leucadendron Safari Sunset
• 2 stems of leucadendron Salignum Red Blush
• 2 stems of leucadendron Inca Gold
• 2 stems of grevillea Ivanhoe
• 2 stems of Australian Pine

Leucadendron Safari Sunset

Leucadendron Salignum Red Blush

Leucadendron Inca Gold

Grevillea Ivanhoe

Australian Pine

How to Make It:
In the palm of your hand place a stem of Pink Ice and 2 different stems of foliage. By turning the bouquet slightly in the same direction every time you add another protea and 2 stems of mixed foliage, you ensure that the same stems aren’t place next to each other as you create the bouquet. The binding point determines the size of a bouquet: if you hold the stems lower down, the bouquet will be looser and the stems will be longer. A slightly higher binding point, holding the bunch of flowers about halfway up the stems will create a more compact bouquet.

Improving Protea Life

1. Look for fresh and healthy foliage; and flowers that are evenly colored.

2. Beware of blooms that are too tight or too open. For maximum vase life, a protea is often picked when they’re just starting to open.

3. Speed and care are of the essence. It’s possible to extend a protea’s life by several days if they are quickly processed and placed into water as soon as they arrive.

4. Recutting protea stems is a very important part of their care since the stem tip may become blocked and incapable of transporting water up to bloom. Cutting ¼” off the base of stems can increase the vase life of protea by up to 45%.

5. “Clean and fresh” takes on new meaning with protea. Your buckets, containers, vases, knives, clippers, and other equipment used in processing must be sanitized.

6. Carefully remove all the leaves from the bottom half to two-thirds of each stem. As a rule, remove any foliage that will be below the water level to prevent it rotting in the water.

7. Water quality has a direct effect on the longevity of protea. Clean water is essential.

8. Protea are thirsty flowers and can take up 75% to 80% of the water in the first hour. Cold or warm water can help to rehydrate stems faster than water at room temperature.

9. Make sure the protea and foliage above the water stay dry.

10. Leave the stems in a cool place for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This ensures that the protea are fully hydrated before they are brought back into a warmer environment, displayed and Enjoy!

Arroyo Seco Weekend

The inaugural Arroyo Seco Weekend wrapped up on Sunday. Goldenvoice, the promoter of the event called this two-day festival “multigenerational,” geared toward families and folks in their mid-30s and up, rather than the typically crowd packs these gatherings. It was a festival where someone can go with their grandma, mom, sister or toddler and enjoy rock, soul, jazz, funk, and blues acts.

The Pasadena event took over the Brookside Golf Course at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium setting up three stages for the line-up of talented musical artists and turned the rest of the grounds into an al fresco picnic and lounge area. Arroyo Seco estimates there was a modest crowd in the range of 25,000 attendees.

With June being California Grown Flowers Month, we thought this event would be the perfect place to continue the celebration. California flower farms teamed up with JetBlue and Muir Ranch for a “Flowers On Your Head” activation. Teams of photographers were scattered around the grounds and in the JetBlue Lounge capturing pictures of the thousands of people with CAGrown flowers on their heads. The crowd loved it… men, women, teens and toddlers alike joined in on the fun.