May Occasions: Gifting & Décor

May always arrives with its fair share of RSVPs. From showers to graduations, Mother’s Day to Memorial Day gatherings, it seems every weekend calls for a celebration—and, of course, there are the gifts and decor. What to get? Well, if you love Protea we’ve got you covered. Here’s our top picks… our favorite things to design, create and share!

Arrangements…

Bouquets…

Wreaths…

Protea News: April’s Articles and Blogs of Interest from Around the World

South African proteas are all the rage at overseas weddings -
last year we exported 3.4 million to keep up with demand

South Africa’s iconic protea is in high demand with 3.4 million exported throughout the world in 2017. The largest markets are the European Union and Russia, which represent almost half of the exports.

This is according to Cape Flora SA, a non-profit company that monitors and promotes sustainable exporting of proteas from South Africa. Cape Flora estimates that South Africa’s total fynbos market is estimated at R130 million, with some 4,200 tons of SA flowers exported last year. Read more here.
                                                                                                                                                                   

Featured Farm - Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers

I recently had the opportunity to visit Resendiz Brothers and speak to the man himself, Ismael (“Mel”) Resendiz, and Diana Roy, who plays a vital role in operations. While there, I was invited to view the beautiful rolling hills of the Resendiz Brothers impressive cut flower business In Rainbow. Mel drove me up and down the hills, explaining the history, processes, accomplishments, and struggles of his farm and land. Read more here.
                                                                                                                                                                  

Rene van Rems Wows at First 2018 Tour Stop

Floral Designer Shares the Inside Story
on Prepping for a Field to Vase Dinner

You might think the job of a floral designer is singular – to surprise and delight by creating beautiful flower arrangements. When the designer is Rene van Rems, you’d be wrong.

Van Rems was the floral designer for the recent American Grown Field to Vase Dinner at Resendiz Brothers Protea in Fallbrook, California. But his efforts went far beyond arranging flowers. He started by visiting the site with flower farmer Mel Resendiz to help select the perfect location for the dinner. Read more here.

In the Field: Leucospermum Flame Giant

The kind of heavy lifting we can get behind!

Leucospermum Flame Giant or also called Giant Orange Nodding Pincushion. This gorgeous cultivar typically blooms March through June and has some of the largest flower heads reaching 5 to 6 inches wide. Flame Giants were originally introduced from a seedling raised in 1974 and registered in South Africa under the name 'Vlam' in 1981. This name means "flame", "flash" or "blaze" in Afrikaans.

Flowers on Your Head

One of my favorite spring floral accessories is the flower crown or halo. There’s something very sensual and romantic about wearing flowers on your head. And, it’s not something that should be exclusive to weddings, they’re perfect for most any occasion - birthdays, baby showers, garden parties - the possibilities are endless.

There’s no doubt the floral crowns fashioned by our friend, Mud, for our Field to Vase Dinner were not your typical accessory but they were fun none the less. The gorgeous flower crown above filled with leucadedron, isopogon and serruria was just one of many flaunted by guests. “Flowers on Your Head” created a wonderful photo op that was quite entertaining, and in the end provided guests with a fabulous photo souvenir. Keep scrolling down to see more!

“I must have flowers, always, and always.” ― Claude Monet

A Floral Feast at the End of Rainbow

The 2018 American Grown Field to Vase Dinner Tour made its first stop of the season in Fallbrook, CA on a glorious spring day. These amazing dinners are fun and quite informative and of course, they allow you to cozy up to more flowers than you could ever imagine! The idea behind these ‘floral feasts’ is to bring America’s Flower Farming Families and the surrounding community together for a relaxing and enjoyable evening, all while becoming a bit more informed about agriculture and the importance of buying local.

Resendiz Brothers is located just east of the Southern California coast where a light sea breeze mixed with steep, rugged terrain will never leave you the same. Guests dined on a remote pad situated high up in the hills of Rainbow where colorful pincushions were blooming as far as the eye could see.

During the reception guests mingled while sipping on champagne and nibbling on savory hors d’oeuvres of Endive Spears, Spicy Gingered Carrot Soup and Agave Glazed Pork Belly prepared by Chef Teegan Smith, of Crown Point Catering.

Guests were encouraged to create their own unique floral accessories at a boutonniere bar, make friends with two adorable kids (goats, of course) and to take advantage of the fabulous floral photo props… the limo and a rustic motorcycle cart filled with awesome blossoms, protea wreaths and incredible views.

Special name cards were created and tucked tightly in Banksia integrifolia cones, so guest could save their favorite spot at the table.

Dinner began with a pre-set Bibb Lettuce Salad with the rest of the meal being served Family Style. Platters of Boneless Short Rib with Smoked Gouda Yukon Gold Mash, Farm Ratatouille, Creamy Polenta and fresh Vegetables were passed down the table and savored by all. Geyser Peak Winery provided the red and white wine that perfectly complimented every dish. Truly a fabulous feast.

The evening ended with abundance of ‘Dinner Favors’, swag bags full of floral treats, protea bouquets and even the centerpieces and wreaths going home with everyone.

To see all the upcoming dates and locations for the next Field to Vase Dinners click here. If you are anywhere near these locations, don’t miss the experience!