Resendiz Brother’s 2018 Calendar

For the last seventeen years we have designed and created our own special Resendiz Brothers calendar, which we proudly share with all our friends and family. The time spent crafting the calendar has also become very special to us as it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the years past, to rummage through fabulous photos and select our thirteen favorites. The cover is usually a photograph that received quite a bit of attention during the year, and this year's choice - was no exception. The remaining twelve pictures are selected based on the holiday or month the various protea are typically in bloom. Scroll on down and have a look at our 2018 picks… they are a combination of arrangements, bouquets, field shots and wreaths!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Designing with Helen – Part 2

We first met Helen Davis this summer when Mel was the featured farmer in the California State Floral Association’s booth at the State Fair in Sacramento. With some determination, her daughter, Laura, brought her to meet Mel and see the protea. She was asked to pick the flowers of her choice and make her own special protea bouquet which she proudly took home with her. Meeting Helen and seeing her light-up as she created her bouquet has since been a highlight of ‘2017’ for both Mel and me!

To our delight earlier this month, we heard from Laura once again. She asked if she could bring her mother down to see the farm around the middle of the month. Since we saw Helen in July, she had been diagnosed with a rare cancer and Laura wanted her to visit us while she was active and able to make the trip. Laura said, “We have been living your flowers from afar but it’s time to see the real thing in person.”

They decided to join us on the 16th for our farm tour, wreath class and a special trip up into Rainbow to see the flower fields or what Helen called, Protea Heaven!”

In the Field: Pink Duke

Spring is a long way off, but if you could use a winter pick-me-up right this minute, we have the perfect antidote. ‘Pink Duke’… a bright, cheery and vibrant protea—this lovely cultivar produces large, rose-pink blooms with a light pink central dome and white feathery tips. It has the soft green leaves of the P. magnifica (queen) and the clear velvety, pink flower of the P. Trish Compacta.

There is no doubt that Pink Dukes bring an abundance of winter cheer out in the fields. But once harvested, arranged and displayed they are contagious – the perfect pick-me-up.

Holiday Wreath & Garland Workshop

With just a little over a week left in the countdown to Christmas, we were feeling especially festive here on the farm. The timing was perfect as we held our holiday wreath and garland making workshop on a cool and brisk Saturday morning. To start, guests toured the packinghouse, greenhouse and nursery, and some even gathered tidbits of flowers and greens to include in their own special creation. Our talented crew was hard at work demonstrating the art of wreath and garland making – so all who watched would be prepared to craft something of their own. The office was stocked with all the necessary holiday accessories…. a Christmas tree, poinsettias and of course, proteas along with some festive treats to eat and drink. Here are some of our favorite photos from the workshop…

If you missed our fall wreath workshops, no worries… we’re already planning an Easter event! Find all our future events here.

2018 Color of the Year: Ultra Violet

After a year of greenery in 2017, Pantone recently revealed the color of 2018… an inspiring hue of Ultra Violet. According to Pantone, the "dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future."

"We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination," Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute stated. "It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level. From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.”

Mixing blue and red, two shades that are seemingly opposed, creates something entirely new… Complex and Contemplative. "Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now," says Pantone.

When I learned of Pantone’s 2018 choice I began to contemplate what flowers we grow might emulate this awesome color. Here are my Ultra Violet inspirations...

Purple Isopogon

Lepto Rotundifolia – Blue Lepto

Purple Kunzea

Banksia Praemorsa

Waxflower Purple Pride

Or, maybe some color enhanced Ultra Violet Banksia.

Balboa Park December Nights

Each year, December Nights is the heart of the holidays for San Diego families and friends. Featuring dazzling lights; dancers, choirs, and bands; incredible food; and amazing attractions, December Nights is a treasured tradition that kicks off the holiday season for young and old alike. Held the first Friday and Saturday of December, the event was founded 40 years ago when ten Balboa Park cultural organizations hosted the first celebration. That year, 3,000 San Diegans gathered… it has been a treasured event ever since. Today, December Nights is San Diego’s largest free festival with more than 350,000 guests.

This was a 4oth anniversary celebration Mel and I didn’t want to miss, so we headed over to Balboa Park and joined in on the holiday tradition.

Garden clubs, plant societies, schools and other organizations annually dazzle December Nights visitors with creative decorations at the Festival of Trees, San Diego Floral Association’s (SDFA) holiday gift to the community. The organization’s home in the Casa del Prado is filled with sparkling holiday lights and fragrant fresh evergreen trees, all decorated to a single theme. This year, each tree was decorated in red because “ruby” is the color and gem for 40th anniversaries. The Flower Arrangers Guild provided distinctive floral arrangements and SDFA continued its traditional sales of gingerbread cookies and protea… fresh from our fields!

After December Nights many of these trees are donated to hospitals, children’s homes and retirement centers. In the spirit of cooperation, the decorations from some SDFA trees will reappear in early December at the San Diego History Center.