Fleurie: Flowers for Life's Moments

MagnoliaRouge featured blog post- Almond Blossom Inspiration

"This shoot all came together over Instagram!  I know, hard to imagine such beauty could come of such a simple little square photo and a hashtag.  DianaMcGregor contacted me about doing a photo shoot in the almond orchard early this spring.  We got the date scheduled, and then time to figure out who and where." - Laurie Garza, Fleurie

Laurie later explained to me that this opportunity came up solely because of an Instagram picture she posted of a bouquet she created using protea, roses and a mixture of other flowers and greens.  In this up-coming  shoot with Diana McGregor,  Laurie was planning to use flowers in very pale colors - mostly white, ivory and light blues and grays.  She thought cream colored grevillea flowers and protea in shades of light pink and ivory would work best.  In addition, she was hoping to include acacia, berzelia, saxicola, calycina, serruria and any other amazing blossoms we could find.

The photo shoot was a success and seeing our flowers so beautifully displayed was truly inspiring!  

 

Thank you Laurie and Diana for your fabulous work!

Phylica Pubescens – Featherhead

"Walking on Sunshine! 

Just as the sun replenishes our souls, 

the feathery bristles on the leaves of the featherhead capture the sunlight, 

in the early mornings and late afternoons it glows like magic." 
- Petra Vandecasteele 

The first time I heard the name Pubescens I thought it must be the name of some feathery animal or bird. However, Pubescens actually refers to the short hairs on the leaves and stems of this wonderful plant which at sunrise and sunset seems to gather sunlight and even glow. 

The common name Featherhead refers to the slightly cinnamon scented white flowers with gold overtones and dense feathery bristles that appear on top of the branches from mid to late spring. 

Featherhead certainly adds a special 'glow' and unique texture to any bouquet, they're long-lasting and dry very well.

Fleurs de Roy

Fleurs de Roy

Swallows Nest Farm

Happy Easter

"Happiness is the setting of the soul into its most appropriate spot." - Aristotle

Pretty Popular: Pincushions

‘PRETTY POPULAR’ was the title of last month’s Floral Management Magazine Fresh Choices section which featured many of our favorite Proteas. This Trend-Setting Tips segment began by saying, “In flower shops around the county, proteas have been in high demand.” Georgianne Vinicombe, owner of Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Company, also shared that, “Even brides are requesting them especially the pincushion varieties.” This is definitely ‘Great News’ for us and ‘Perfect Timing’ too! Here in California spring is the time of year we harvest our Leucospermum or Pincushions in shades of red, orange, peach, yellow and even tow-tones. These amazing flowers add so much texture to bouquets and arrangements, and they look fabulous mixed with just about any other spring blooms. Pincushion popularity has become contagious among bloggers, florists and designers who have fashioned some gorgeous works of art – just take a look at these creations!

  Sorture.com

Elizabethannedesigns.com

Better Homes and Gardens

Oncewed.com

Botanicalbrouhaha.blogspot.com

Stylemepretty.com

Botanicalbrouhaha.blogspot.com

Weddingchicks.com

Elizabethannedesigns.com

Spring is in the Air - Harvesting Boronia

Did you know Boronias and Citrus are both part of the Rutaceae family? Here on the farm we definitely know 'spring is in the air' when Boronia is being harvested. This amazing flower has such a wonderful, lemony fragrance which is sought after for the vase as well as the garden. Its small, bell-like flowers are attached to each stem, along with delicate deep green leaves. There are currently over 95 species in the Boronia genus, but only a few are being grown and harvested for cut flowers. 

Boronia blooms in a rainbow of colors ranging from: hot pink to purple, brown, green, yellow and white and they have interesting names like: Purple Jared, Moonglow, Lutea, Magastigma, Aussie Rose and Lipstick. 

Here's what to look for when selecting Boronia:

1. Buy when at lest 1/2 the flowers in a bunch are open and brightly colored.  
2. Choose bunches with a strong scent. 
3. Avoid bunches with wilted tips, yellow leaves or signs of flower drop.

And, some special care tips too:

1. Keep cool at all times. 
2. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash stems thoroughly. 
3. Re-Cut at least 1/2 of each stem and place in cold water. 
4. Always use a preservative as this will help keep open flowers looking fresh. 
5. Replace water with preservative enhanced water every day. 
6. Misting is a great idea, Boronia absorbs water through the leaves and flowers. 
7. Wilted bunches can be revived by submerging the whole bunch in cold water for 2 hours.

When Boronia's are mixed with other colorful flowers and foliage it certainly 'Looks' and 'Smells' a lot like springtime!