8 Ways to Ring in the New Year with the Shimmer of Silver

(By Diana Roy)

Famed for its spectacular foliage, Leucadendron Argenteum or sometimes called 'Cape Silver Tree' has wonderful large, green leaves covered in silver silken hairs. These leaves create a vivid display as they shimmer in the wind. And, 'Shimmer' is just what they do when used on Rose Parade Floats! This year at the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade, Silver Tree leaves were spotted on many of the beautifully decorated floats. Here are 8 wonderful ways this fabulous foliage was used to embellish floats on this New Year's Day! 

It is obvious that Silver Tree has become a favorite foliage for many Rose Parade float designers - Happy New Year!

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2013: Emerald Green

(By Diana Roy)

Green is in!  The color of nature, expressing environmental concern, good health and renewal, green is comforting and relaxing, refreshing and revitalizing.  Green sings of the spring and nature’s awakening.  A great ‘neutral’ color, green can be combined with all other flower colors – it’s probably why most flowers have green stems and leaves, they go with any color bloom.

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world”.

Yes, Emerald is a great color, and it happens to be my birthstone, I wear it proudly each and every day.  However, green comes in many wonderful shades, and I love them all.  Take a look at some of my favorite ‘green’ flowers and foliages!

Kangaroo Paw

Leucadendron Goblet
 

 

Brunia Albiflora

 

 

Berzelia

 

 

Silver Tree

 

 

Banksia Robur

Protea Ceres

(By Diana Roy)

 

Temperatures are rising, and hopefully the freezing weather behind us! Now, it’s time to start blooming again - Valentine's Day is just weeks away! Today, we’re harvesting one of our new proteas – Ceres. This gorgeous bloom is a ‘Hybrid Queen’ or more precisely - a cross of P. magnefica and P. obtusifolia. When fully open this flower is over 4 ½ inches in diameter and has a deep fuchsia to red color. Ceres would definitely be the ‘main attraction’ in any Valentine’s arrangement or bouquet. What special flowers will you be giving this Valentine’s Day?

 

 

The 'Disneyland of Flowers' - Pasadena's Rose Parade

The theme of the 124th Rose Parade, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!," evokes the sense of excitement, optimism and unlimited potential at the start of a wonderful journey.  The phase is borrowed from the title of a beloved Dr. Seuss book, whose narrator offers advice, both whimsical and wise, to a young person setting off down life's highway.

And, what a wonderful journey it was as we watched a sea of gorgeous flowers parade down Colorado Ave - truly the 'Disneyland of Flowers'.  Take a look at some of the ways we found our favorite flowers and foliage magically displayed on colorful floats, carriages and cars.

Beautiful Protea Pink Mink surrounded by an array of colorful blooms. 

Protea Pink Ice and Brenda tucked into this gorgeous centerpiece. 

Banksia and Pincushion in shades of burgundy and orange adorning a carriage.

More Protea Pink Mink combined with roses, tulips, hydrangea and
many more fabulous flowers .

Protea White Mink mixed with gerberas and orchids.

Protea Kings and lavender roses in a stunning display.

 Silver Tree or often called 'Silver leaf' covering these Army poncho's - this is definitely the best display of silver tree we've seen so far!   
Truly an amazing display!!!