Maybe Pink Isn’t Just a Color

Maybe pink isn’t just a color. Maybe it’s a feeling.

Lately, we’ve been surrounded by it. Here on the farm, we’re right in the middle of protea season—mostly the pink varieties, like Pink Ice. And there’s something about seeing them harvested and brought in from the field that never gets old.

They’re bold, sculptural, and unmistakable. We often associate pink with affection, tenderness, gratitude, and love. But peering into a truck filled with pink blooms, I find myself thinking about something much simpler: how a color can change the feeling of a moment.

Not only do I enjoy seeing our trucks filled with freshly harvested proteas, I love seeing them transformed into beautiful bouquets. What feels wild and rugged out in the field can suddenly feel soft, romantic, and almost delicate.

After spending so many years living and working on a protea farm, I’m reminded again and again that flowers have a way of saying things we sometimes can’t.

They can say thank you. I love you. I’m thinking of you.

Or sometimes, simply: Look at this.

Maybe that’s what I love most about pink proteas. The color invites you to slow down and soften for a moment. And right now, as we move through the season, I’m happy to be surrounded by lots of pink

Maybe pink isn’t just a color after all.

Maybe it’s a feeling.

The Power of Bright and Colorful Flowers

There’s something magical about a bouquet of vibrant flowers. Whether planted in the garden, arranged in a vase on your kitchen counter, or gifted to a loved one, these bursts of color invite us to pause, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

Just like a painter’s canvas, a flower arrangement can arouse a spectrum of emotions, each shade conveying its own message. The deep pinks of protea may express feelings of comfort, warmth, and hope. While bright oranges of pincushions can evoke feelings of happiness, enthusiasm and optimism. The tranquil blues of sea holly provides a sense of calm grounding us in the present moment. When these colors come together in an arrangement, they tell a story that resonates with our soul.

Flowers not only beautify our space but also create an invitation to smile, to breathe deeper, and to take a moment to appreciate nature's artistry. Countless studies have shown the positive effects of nature on our mental health, and flowers are no exception. A colorful flower arrangement is a natural mood booster. In our fast-paced, digital screen lives, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the natural world. Flowers cultivate that connection by bringing a piece of the outdoors inside. A beautiful arrangement can serve as a focal point, energizing a room and bringing personality to our homes.

The best part? You don’t have to be a seasoned designer to create a stunning arrangement. A handful of vibrant blooms from the local farmers market, a lovely vase, and a few moments of your time can yield a work of art that resonates with your style and spirit. Plus, experimenting with different combinations encourages creativity, inviting a little fun into your day.

So, the next time you find yourself feeling disconnected, uninspired, or overwhelmed, consider the transformative power of a bright and colorful centerpiece. Whether it’s the colors, the textures, or the simple act of nurturing blooms, flowers have an extraordinary ability to uplift our spirits, enrich our environments, and connect us to the heartbeat of nature.

Let the beauty of flowers remind you to celebrate the simple joys in life. Embrace the vibrancy… and watch as those colors bring a little more warmth and happiness into your world!

Current Obsession: Lady Di

Lady Di. Oh La La... this stunning protea has won us over, heart and soul. Lush, colorful, and bursting with texture, this hybrid queen is a blend of Protea magnifica ‘queen’ and compacta. With a medium-to-large size bloom, Lady Di plays off more of the soft, velvety appearance of compacta and lacks the woolly beard of the magnifica. Its long floral bracts are pink, plush and tipped in delicate white fur, then shading to cream at the base while surrounding a silvery-pink central dome. Lady Di typically blooms winter through early spring.

Lady Di looks fabulous mixed with a variety of proteas or combined with an array other colorful flowers and foliage. She's regal but also fluffy and soft... the perfect winter pick-me-up. Dawn to dusk…. happy hour is infinite in blooms this luminous.

Pretty Pink Protea Designs

Pink is elegant and romantic. Brighter pinks are youthful, feminine, and playful; vivid pinks are more passionate, affectionate and sensual. Pink makes a room feel inviting and warm. Love and beauty are associated with pink.

Pink is versatile, so versatile, that it is sometimes considered a neutral color! In turn, the possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to creating pink bouquets and arrangements. The scope of the color palette is surprisingly diverse, containing everything from soft peachy pink to bright fuchsia. Whether you're considering something light or dark, you can almost always find a hue that satisfies you. Equally, there’s a bounty of pink flowers to choose from. You can design with something exotic like protea (which obviously tops our list), or experiment with an array of fabulous blooms. Some of my go to favorites are dahlias, amaranths, everlastings and alstroemerias – which are available in pink, as are many other beautiful flowers. Simply choose a season and a style and watch as all the possibilities start to unfold right in front of you. As you learn what blooms in shades of pink + what plant and color combos work best with it, you'll definitely be tickled pink.

Ready to find your muse? We've gathered up some beautiful designs to inspire you.

Start with this bright, cheery arrangement, which features a beautiful Protea King, Grevillea Misty Pink, everlastings, Brunia Albiflora, Leucadendron and lush greenery.

This sweet pink to fuschia mix features protea Brenda, ranunculus, calycina, Grevillea with Leucadendron Maui Sunset and eucalyptus rounding out the design.

Here's a fabulous bouquet that proves peachy pink and rose-pink work in harmony especially when you mix in some dainty waxflower, textural coned Leucadendron and green myrtle.

Coral and light pink are the primary colors in this design that blends exotic Bronze Haze, Leucospermum, kangaroo paw, Grevillea blooms, Christmas Bush, oregano and eucalyptus. The stunning Protea King adds a spring inspired touch.

Stems of eucalyptus Baby Blue give this pink bouquet a whimsical look. The assorted array of Protea and spiky Grevillea Misty Pink blooms deliver a full, textural appeal.

The brightly-colored spikes of the Grevillea and sweet mini King featured in this design provide the perfect pop of color. Combined with the coral Leucospermum and peach & green ranunculus, plus, the sprigs of greenery this arrangement provides a mini-illustration of spring’s eternal elegance.

Here we chose a winter- spring bloom (Waratah!) to add drama to this arrangement. The peach hued Leucospermum, and wild berry everlastings blend well with the petite flowering Leucadendron and buffy-white Berzelia bobbles.

In the Field: Leucospermum Spider

As protea season winds down at the end of winter, Leucospermum ‘Pincushions’ take center stage in the fields offering up vibrant blooms that put on a quite a show from now into May.

While we all love the more traditional Leucospermum cordifoliums like Sunrise, Succession and Flame Giant, the Spiders have a few of their own advantages. They start blooming in winter which means more of us can enjoy them with a mix of other proteas. And since they produce flowers in masses on long, straight stems, you’re pretty much assured a blooming great show. Finally, it’s one 'Spider' that won't give anyone the creeps!

This lovely hybrid Leucopermum with its delicate hues is a mix of L. tottum and formosum, with the tottum parentage especially obvious. The salmon-pink to mauve flowers and with red tipped stamens are 5 to 6” wide. Spiders are a wonderful alternative if you’re color palette calls for blooms in shades of pink long after protea season has finished.

Spiders are being harvested right now and as you can see... they’re simply stunning in seasonal bouquets and arrangements.

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.
________________________________________________________

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.
________________________________________________________

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.

Protea Brenda

In the language of flowers, protea is said to symbolize diversity and courage… and if Brenda had her own special language, she would be the symbol of resilience too! When asked to describe this gorgeous bloom, the first words that come to mind are hot pink and faux. The dark pink bracts or petals which surround Brenda are shiny and durable not soft and velvety like many other protea. STUNNING. And, perfect if you’re into self-care and hoping to start 2021 off on the right foot.

As COVID continues to impact our daily lives, flowers are more vital than ever for our health and well-being (apparently, pink flowers, that often convey a message of romance, also stand for love for one’s self… which, by the way, is super important right now). While navigating through the challenges of this “new normal”, they’ll bring a much-needed dose of happiness to break anyone out of a stress-induced funk.

Photo by @kwiaciarniawtepedy

Photo by @constantiapera

Finally, as a reminder… no one needs a reason to ask if they deserve flowers today - the answer will always be YES!

Protea Pinita

Protea Pinita... here to spice up your the holiday season! This gorgeous protea hybrid is a blend of magnifica or queen + longifolia. Think LARGE bloom with a slightly waxy appearance and bracts that are flushed and tipped in a bright ‘chili-pepper pink’ then shading to light cream at the base. The central peaked dome is heavily tipped with black, providing a robust and appealing contrast.

Pinita looks fabulous mixed with other protea or combined with an array other colorful flowers and foliage. SO FESTIVE. A touch of royalty but also fluffy and soft... the perfect holiday bloom. Tip? Pinita looks stunning in any arrangement, bouquet or wreath!

August Articles of Interest

Gardening | For healthy proteas,
forget using artificial fertilisers

Proteas are often admired in floral arrangements and are purchased for their ability to last several weeks in a vase.

Because they are related horticulturally to a large group of Australian native plants, including banksias, grevilleas and waratahs, they require similar growing conditions.

Proteas originate from South Africa. They have a low tolerance for artificial fertilizers. Applications of superphosphate will kill proteas. However, they require magnesium, and this can be applied as Epsom salts, scattered over the root areas and then watered in well during spring.

Read more here.
_____________________________________________________________

The Prettiest Pink Wedding Bouquets

As you're planning your wedding, it's hard not to gravitate towards pink. From "blushing brides" to the colors of love, its many shades make their presence known in a number of marriage-themed motifs. That's why it should come as no surprise that pink wedding bouquets are so popular. If you're thinking of carrying one down the aisle, you're in luck. We've rounded up some beautiful ideas to inspire you.

Read more here.
_____________________________________________________________

Create a Happy Summertime Basket Flower Arrangement
(It’s Foam Free!)

With July being officially named American Grown Flowers month by the U.S. Senate (woohoo!), we at Team Flower wanted to celebrate! Check out the official press release here. And what better way to celebrate than with a bright and happy floral arrangement! This particular design is foam free and in a structured woven straw basket.

Read more here.

A Perfect Match: Protea and Peonies

Pink protea are definitely a personal passion. The velvety, bell-shaped blooms contrast beautifully with the soft petals of most flowers. They are standouts. A full-grown protea plant can produce 65 or more stems. There will be plenty of blooms to cut and enjoy indoors, and still some left in the garden for added pleasure. When left to dry in your home, protea deliver pleasure long after the plant’s season ends.

Another pink standout is the peony or also known as “Polish Poses”. They’re outrageously beautiful in bloom with lush foliage all summer long. Peonies are perennials that come back every year to take your breath away. In fact, some plants have been known to thrive for at least 100 years. For best results, the stems should be cut in the morning when the buds are still fairly tight. Peonies make wonderful cut flowers, lasting more than a week in a vase and they dry beautifully as well.

On days that call for a little extra bliss or magic, candy hues, mixed textures, and varied shapes emit homey spontaneity. A rustic French floral container, with ample room for plenty of blooms, becomes the perfect vessel for embracing an array of protea, peonies, grevillea flowers and, of course, fabulous foliage.

Bringing flowers into your home breaks the barrier between inside and out. It opens a window on nature’s astonishing world and conveys a special wisdom that increases the more you do it.