In the Field: Leucospermum – Pincushions

Spring has finally sprung here in Rainbow! The Leucospermum fields are slowly starting to come to life, and with your first glimpse of these unique looking flowers… you just might think a fireworks display somehow fell out of the sky.

Some of the most popular members of the Proteaceae family, Leucospermum are easily recognized by their flower-heads with long, conspicuous styles, each one thickened at its apex to form a pollen presenter. Together the mass of styles, look a lot like pins bristling from a pincushion, a similarity that has given rise to their popular name Pincushions.

Unlike flowers of the genus Protea, which rely on their showy bracts for visual appeal, Leucospermum put all their art into the colors of the flowers themselves as well as the flowing shape of each curving component. These fanciful blooms atop sturdy stems create colorful focal points in the field and when displayed in floral designs.

Leucospermums are not only popular for their beautiful flowering heads, but the plants are also easily cultivated and make wonderful garden shrubs. They are fast growing and can produce a fabulous display of yellow, orange, red and even multi-colored blooms for years when grow under the right conditions.

February Articles of Interest

Petite Wedding Bouquets That Make a Big Statement

While we'll always be big fans of wild, cascading bouquets, we've noticed that more and more brides are opting for smaller-scale arrangements. This is particularly true for brides affected by the coronavirus pandemic, who have had to adjust their wedding plans for a smaller guest list and new budget. These mini clutches can range from a single stem to a collection of tiny blooms. But don't be fooled by their smaller stature—although minute, these posies still make a big impact down the aisle. In fact, we think their small size is what makes them so eye-catching.

Read more here.
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Rare pink flannel flowers bloom in Australia

The blossoms grow in eastern Australia, from the Blue Mountains to north-eastern Victoria. Their seeds can lay dormant for years, requiring exactly the right conditions to germinate – a year after bushfire followed by rainfall.

Read more here.
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The Flower Fields Will Reopen in March,
With New Guidelines

AROUND THE TIME WHEN THE POPPIES... of the Antelope Valley arrive, but a little after the desert's wildflower show begins, and near the moment when wisteria starts to add a purple-lush beauty to some of California's grandest formal gardens, a petal-packed place in Carlsbad gets colorful. Very, very colorful, thanks to vast carpets composed solely Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers, those giant-headed, eye-wowza beauties that pop in an assortment of reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. It's The Flower Fields we're talking about, the venerable attraction that includes opportunities to stroll by the famous cultivated blooms, as well as other events in years gone by, from sunset dining to live music.

Read more here.

Women’s Day 2021

Did you know the first Women’s Day was celebrated in 1909 when the Socialist Party of America marched on the streets of New York, to pay tribute to garment workers who had protested against poor working conditions the year before? Every year since then, on the 8th of March the world unites to support, raise, inspire and motivate women. The purpose of this day is to focus on themes such as inspiring change, recognition of women in the arts, or the importance of education and career opportunities. This year’s theme: “Let’s all choose to challenge”… which focuses on the importance of defying biases and misconceptions in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal world.

The UN also announced a 2021 theme: “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-10 world.” This theme applauds the efforts of women who are striving to create a more equal future and COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Feeling inspired and wondering how you can celebrate Women's Day? We have a few ideas:

• With Flowers, of course! It doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman to join in on the celebration - it is perfectly acceptable for a man to give flowers to the women in his life, as well as, women to share flowers with their friends, family and co-workers. 
• Learn why the day is important. As women's accomplishments, particularly those that have to do with the home (raising children, educating, cleaning, cooking, etc.) are often ignored and overlooked. This day helps to remind people of the important things that women do every day. 
• Help raise awareness. Mention that it's Women's Day to people you know, your family, your coworkers, your friends. Discuss with them why it's an important day and why it's important to treat women with respect and to acknowledge their contributions to society.

This year’s hashtags also include: #WomensDay, #ChooseToChallenge, the straightforward #IWD2021, #InternationalWomensDay, and #SeeHer.

Capture the Colors of Mardi Gras: Purple, Green & Gold

Did you know part of what makes this New Orleans event fun includes adding some color to your life? The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. If you venture to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you will see variations of these colors everywhere, from large Christmas-like decorations to the beads that people wear and how the New Orleanians decorate their homes. These colors have been around since 1892 and are part of this pre-Lenten celebration that ends on Mardi Gras (which is French for Fat Tuesday).

One of the wonderful things about a ‘color-based’ celebration like Mardi Gras is that as long as you use the traditional colors, you can make just about any kind of design and it will feel like Mardi Gras. Yes, the joie de vivre doesn’t have to be confined to only this region of the country. You can join in and capture the flavor of New Orleans from wherever you are. So, get ready to turn up the music, simmer the Gumbo, arrange the flowers… and let the good times roll.

When creating Mardi Gras floral décor, you don’t have to make it a specific way. It can be as simple as a few colorful vases with a mixture of flowers and foliage, a large centerpiece or even a bountiful wreath. The main thing is to use hues of purple, green, and gold and then let your imagination run wild!