Farm Tour: San Diego Gardener

Heeding the call of the San Diego Gardener, we opened our farm gate for the second year in a row to this enthusiastic group of passionate gardeners. With 2,150 plant species, San Diego County has more species of plants than any county in the contiguous United States. The geography of the county ranging from salt marshes, lagoons, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, chaparral, oak woodlands, stream sides, mixed conifer forests, freshwater marshes and meadows, to desert makes gardening here fascinating and complex. The San Diego Gardener is dedicated to educating residents about gardening in this rich horticulture environment through their Facebook Page discussions, activities, and events.

Given the abundance of South African and Australian flowers and foliage being grown here in San Diego County, having this group of over 75 tour the farm and experience our day to day activities is a natural fit. With the perfect mix of Proteaceae, we knew it would be the just the place for them to capture some garden inspiration.

Leucospermum Erubescens

Springtime is the most beautiful time of the year in our flower fields. Not only do we have a rainbow of colorful filler flowers, the leucospermum or "pincushion" fields are breathtaking! From yellow to coral and orange to red these gorgeous flowers are a sight to see. But have you seen leucospermum Erubescens? This stunning pincushion has blooms that are bright yellow & orange with red ribboning. The flower head is typically 4 to 8” wide and in clusters of 4-8 small pincushions at the tips of the stems. Each individual flower starts out yellow, gradually opening to reveal a bright crimson-red inside surface, and as the flower ages the yellow hues deepen and change to a reddish-orange. Erubesecens is harvested late winter through early spring.

Other common names for this fabulous leucospermum are Fruit Salad, Langeberg pincushion, orange flame pincushion and Oudtshoorn pincushion.

In the Field: Berzelia

Berzelia, the gorgeous and other-worldly botanical muse of plant lovers and floral designers around the world, are a long time favorite of ours here on the farm. But for all the visual impact these bobbles offer, their unique element of texture not only appeals to your sense of sight, but also to your tactile senses as well. Whether it’s Berzelia Lanuginosa or Red Jelly, these small, round buttons are engaging, making you want to just reach out and touch them.

Berzelia Lanuginosa

Berzelia Red Jelly

Berzelia belongs to the family Bruniaceae, one of the few plant families that are endemic to the Cape floral kingdom and the Western Cape of South Africa. Berzelia or also referred to as ‘Button Bush’ is typically used when its clusters of round flower heads are still closed and a green or cream color, looking much like masses of colorful peas attached to a sturdy stem. Below the flowering heads are wispy side shoots of small needle-like foliage which are grouped in whorls going up the long, woody stem.

Berzelia Lanuginosa

Berzelia Red Jelly

The Wedding Arch

Being wed under a wedding arch, chuppah or canopy is a tradition steeped with beautiful meaning for many cultures. It’s a roof that symbolizes the home and family a couple will build together. And, while it's representative of a marital pact, it also implies a union with your community, as well. It can change the mood of the ceremony entirely, giving it poise and originality and it can also be fun.

Wedding arches are often used in ceremonies in untraditional venues and provide a festive backdrop. Particularly for ceremonies held outdoors, a wedding arch provides a unique and creative focal point. Arches now come in many shapes and forms, from elaborate floral arbors to simple fabric backdrops and help to frame the most important part of the wedding day, the union, in a beautiful way. We've found 10 more beautiful wedding arches using protea to help inspire couples planning their special day.

Marissa Maharj

The Wedding Playbook

Ruffled Blog

Hello May

Southbound Bride

Green Wedding Shoes

Mondo Floral Designs

Peninsula Wildflower

Hello May

Green Wedding Shoes

Top Photograph: At Design Maven

BeBe and Farmer Protea Wedding Inspiration

You KNOW how much we love growing proteas! Well, we couldn’t be more excited to share some homegrown protea wedding inspiration with you. Mel and I got to be on several sides of the wedding fence this month when our friends, Mud Baron and BeBe Lerner tied the knot at the Highland Springs Ranch in the Cherry Valley. Farmer (aka Mud) said they wanted proteas in their wedding but when asked to create the bridal bouquets and centerpieces for the reception, we were thrilled. It’s not too often we get the opportunity to attend a wedding (Mel a groomsmen) and enjoy the flowers we grow and also arranged on the farm.

Let’s just say that, for a farmer who loves proteas, I was in heaven and OMG… that arch! I just love the way this wedding combined the elements of soft and strong – protea, berzelia and Australian wildflowers mixed with the dreamiest of fabrics in hues of pink and white, contrasting with silver place settings. For me, it was the perfect representation of the flowers we’re so passionate about growing!

Fun was a huge hallmark of this wedding day. Like groom - Farmer told Mel not to take his ‘wedding attire’ too seriously… only be sure to wear his hat, I got the impression that neither did the bride and groom, and everything about their big day was playful. From a witty Hawaiian dressed minister, to Bebe’s dogs, Bob and Ben, at her side and Mud’s dog, Patsy playing catch on the dance floor, it was an evening full of fun.