Nature’s Window

Creating a Nature’s Window is another simple way to bring a touch of nature indoors. This trendy, chic design showcases the entire flower, from stem to bloom transforming any space into a blooming botanical exhibition.

Our arrangements are only a start. In just a few simple steps you can create your own windows; and there are many ways to display them. One idea is to place several clear vases of the same size, or even different sizes down the length of the table versus using a traditional centerpiece. Or put a vase or two on a windowsill that faces the sun, allowing the light from outside to shine through the vase and through the blooms.

1. Pour 2 or 3 inches of water into the vase. Cut the flower stems to varying lengths. 
2. Position the shortest blooms in the vase. 
3. Repeat with all the flowers, adding them by height and inserting the tallest last.

Leucadendron Tango

Banksia Coccenaea

It’s summer: Time for Pink Ice

Pink Ice is truly the perfect summer flower. That's why when August arrives and the heat is on, we say, why not ‘chill out’ a bit… enjoy something hardy and long-lasting? With a few Pink Ice, some gorgeous foliage and the twist of your wrist, this beautiful bouquet will survive any heat-wave!

Pink Ice Bouquet – Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 5 stems of protea Pink Ice
• 2 stems of leucadendron Safari Sunset
• 2 stems of leucadendron Salignum Red Blush
• 2 stems of leucadendron Inca Gold
• 2 stems of grevillea Ivanhoe
• 2 stems of Australian Pine

Leucadendron Safari Sunset

Leucadendron Salignum Red Blush

Leucadendron Inca Gold

Grevillea Ivanhoe

Australian Pine

How to Make It:
In the palm of your hand place a stem of Pink Ice and 2 different stems of foliage. By turning the bouquet slightly in the same direction every time you add another protea and 2 stems of mixed foliage, you ensure that the same stems aren’t placed next to each other as you create the bouquet. The binding point determines the size of a bouquet: if you hold the stems lower down, the bouquet will be looser and the stems will be longer. A slightly higher binding point, holding the bunch of flowers about halfway up the stems will create a more compact bouquet.

Improving Protea Life

1. Look for fresh and healthy foliage; and flowers that are evenly colored.

2. Beware of blooms that are too tight or too open. For maximum vase life, a protea is often picked when they’re just starting to open.

3. Speed and care are of the essence. It’s possible to extend a protea’s life by several days if they are processed quickly and placed into water as soon as they arrive.

4. Re-cutting protea stems is a very important part of their care since the stem tip may become blocked and incapable of transporting water up to bloom. Cutting ¼” off the base of stems can increase the vase life of protea by up to 45%.

5. “Clean and fresh” takes on new meaning with protea. Your buckets, containers, vases, knives, clippers, and other equipment used in processing must be sanitized.

6. Carefully remove all the leaves from the bottom half to two-thirds of each stem. As a rule, remove any foliage that will be below the water level to prevent it rotting in the water.

7. Water quality has a direct effect on the longevity of protea. Clean water is essential.

8. Protea are thirsty flowers and can take up 75% to 80% of the water in the first hour. Cold or warm water can help to rehydrate stems faster than water at room temperature.

9. Make sure the protea and foliage above the water stay dry.

10. Leave the stems in a cool place for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This ensures that the protea are fully hydrated before they are brought back into a warmer environment, displayed and Enjoy!