CGCI Floral Design Forum

As a protea lover and passionate flower farmer, whenever I have the time, I enjoy sharing my knowledge of this amazing family of flowers and foliage with floral enthusiasts and gardeners. There’s so much to learn about the 73 genera and more than 1500 species in the Protea family. Plus, the cultivation of proteas is always an important and fascinating topic.

I’m equally excited to show flower lovers and gardeners how you can create stunning works of art with proteas. During this month’s California Garden Club (CGCI) Floral Design Forum, I had the opportunity to immerse their members in the beauty of designing with proteas. I created six seasonal arrangements using an array of proteas, plus some eucalyptus foliage, fruited branches, and Australian wildflowers along with a few bunches of ranunculus and anemone from our local farmer’s market. I love demonstrating how beautiful proteas are when displayed alone or mixed with more traditional florals.

Enjoy the photos I took - it was a fun and inspiring forum!

This simple hand-tied bouquet is a lovely mix of proteas, berzelia, waxflower and eucalyptus foliage.

Mixing fruit branches into designs is alway a hit. The kumquats in this arrangement added texture and a pop of color. The ranunculus provide a delicate spring feel, and the proteas take the design to the next level.

A foam wreath frame is the base of this peach hued candle centerpiece with pincushions, ranunculus, calycina, Grevillea, Leucadendron, berzelia and eucalyptus.

My version of a floral Easter basket filled with plenty of colorful proteas, eucalyptus, calycina and blue anemone plus a grapevine handle to top it off.

Door décor provides a ‘cheery welcome’ especially during spring holidays. The grapevine frame is lined with moss and a piece of floral foam. Camellia leaves surround the base and proteas, eucalyptus + peach blossoms adorn the basket.

Art in a French galvanized container. Overflowing with plenty of proteas, berzelia and eucalyptus… simple yet stunning!

Serruria

This delightful genus of forty-four species from South Africa's Cape is a popular member of the Protea family. Serruria has received its connoisseur status among florists, designers and gardeners due to its rarity in nature and cultivation, as well as its exquisite blooms. Papery white and pink bracts surrounding feathery tufts of white to pinkish flowers are produced over winter and spring. Blushing Bride and 'Pretty ‘n’ Pink' are some of the most sought after and well-know varieties currently being grown.

Serruria 'Pretty ‘n’ Pink'

Serruria Blushing Bride

It is thought Serruria Blushing Bride received its name in South Africa because of its traditional use in bridal bouquets and through the custom of young men in the Cape Region wearing the flowers in a buttonhole of their jacket when courting. Unfortunately, Blushing Bride seems to have been over-exploited as the species was near extinction or even believed to be "lost" for 90 years in the wild until conservation measures in the 1960’s and 70's saved it.

When buying Serruria look for:

1.  Bunches with 1/2 of the flowers open. 
2. Avoid bunches with drooping blooms.

Flower Care:

1. Keep cool when possible. 
2. Split bunches and strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem. 
3. Re-cut at least ¼” off the stems and place in cool water immediately. 
4. Always use a preservative as it will help the buds to open. 
5. Replace water frequently.

Floral Dress-Up

What is it about wearing fresh flowers that makes us feel extra special? Simply put, flowers make the idea accessory, like a flower crown or boutonniere. They are natural, stylish and there is something sensual and romantic about wearing flowers. There’s no doubt, we think floral accessorizing should not be exclusive to weddings or school proms, they are perfect for most any occasion.

During the month of March, we took our love for flowers and accessorizing to the next level: Botanical Couture or Floral Dress-Up. American Flowers Week (June 28-July 4), a homegrown social media campaign established in 2015 as part of the Slow Flowers Society invites flower lovers (gardeners, florists & farmers) to celebrate beauty, sustainability and joy of local and seasonal flowers across the U.S. Teams of flower farmers and floral designers create wearable botanical clothing and accessories. Each look reflects a particular seasonal harvest straight from the fields, while also showcasing the farm and designer’s talent. The chic floral fashions created are worn by live models and photographed for publication.

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to team up with designer, Kelly Shore, owner of Petals by the Shore in Damascus, MD. Inspired by the breathtaking selection of Australian native wildflowers (particularly the Chamelaucium or waxflower) being grown here on the farm, Kelly created her own Nature’s Poetry. Frilly filler flowers, meshed in a mix of pink and white hues, layer upon layer, mimicked ruffles on a street length skirt.

Plus, accessories! A gorgeous waistband laden with Serruria Pretty & Pink and necklace to compliment with an added layering of eucalyptus and heather. The hat, garnished with more of the seasonal delicacies.

“Flowers transformed as art or sculpture, as fashion and beauty, as a symbol of the human desire to connect with nature, there is much more to each bloom than one might imagine” – Slow Flowers 2021

Photography by Madeleine Collins & Diana Roy

In the Field: Leucospermum High Gold

Greens so unsullied you feel calm and invigorated. Clear, bright yellow pincushions spring forth from the robust dark green foliage like fireworks. High Golds in the fields look almost neon, and all of this natural beauty is set against a vibrant blue sky. This is springtime in Rainbow.

Leucospermum High Gold is one of our favorite cultivars here on the farm and typically harvested April through June. Their fabulous foliage provides a striking contrast to yellow pincushion flower heads that are prominently displayed on long, straight stems. High Gold is a cross of Leucospermum cordifolium 'Yellow Bird' and Leucospermum patersonii, the pollen parent. High Gold not only makes a wonderful cut flower, but it is also a favorite among gardeners as well.

These amazing flowers add so much texture to bouquets and arrangements, and they look fabulous mixed with just about any other spring blooms.

Yellow is the color of sunshine, hope, and happiness. Yellow stands for freshness, happiness, positivity, clarity, energy, optimism, enlightenment, remembrance, intellect, honor, loyalty, and joy.

Designing with the Fallbrook Garden Club

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

We couldn’t agree with him more! But in January, for many gardeners it’s easier said than done. The garden is relatively sparse and those bare-root plants are just starting to get their feet wet. Attempting to create your own winter floral display can feel a bit like decorating Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree.

But that’s not to say the gardeners or ‘Monets’ among us are out of luck. On Saturday morning we teamed up with several members of the Fallbrook Garden Club (and a lot of protea), and created winter arrangements that would warm up any home or office.

Our guests toured the greenhouse, nursery and packing house, and learned about propagating and growing protea. We even shared tips about what’s currently blooming in our fields and how to arrange them in a handy ‘re-useable’ container… something they’ll use again when their gardens are back in bloom.

UCR Botanic Gardens Fall Market & Plant Sale

Fall is a very popular time of the year for outdoor markets and fairs of all kinds. And when garden opportunities arise we always try to participate in the local favorites. Autumn also happens to be the best time to plant perennials, shrubs, bulbs and even wildflower seeds. Did you know that plants established in the fall and winter grow faster in the spring and require less water when summer comes?

This month we ventured out to the UCR Botanic Gardens nestled in the foothills of the Box Springs Mountains on the east side of the University of California, Riverside Campus for their 35th annual fall market and plant sale. This spectacular event features an exciting collection of plants with many varieties including drought tolerant California Native plants as well as plants that attract hummingbirds or butterflies and plants that are suitable for vegetable or flowers gardens.

It’s also a fabulous time of year to visit the UCR Botanic Gardens - not only to enjoy this living plant museum with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world, but to wander through the four miles of scenic trails or just relax on a bench and enjoy the beauty.