Protea Pink Ice: A Go-To Fall Focal

As summer fades and palettes shift to velvety pinks, deep burgundies, and soft neutrals, Pink Ice steals the spotlight in the fields… and it's no surprise that designers and wholesalers alike reach for it as a go-to fall focal.

Long admired for its durability, texture, and seasonally on-trend coloring, Pink Ice is more than just another protea, it's a reliable staple that delivers impact, value, and flexibility during the late summer and autumn months.

What makes Pink Ice is a reliable staple?

Visually Striking, Artistically Versatile - With its deep rose‑pink tones edged in frost‑white bracts, Pink Ice is adored for its dramatic shape and texture. The fuzzy, architectural bloom contrasts with soft petals and adds visual interest without overwhelming a design.

Remarkable Longevity & Resilience - With a shelf life of over 2 weeks, Pink Ice is ideal for event work, installations, and retail… a bloom that earns its cost per stem tenfold. Plus, after the event, you can reuse Pink Ice in dried arrangements.

Cultural & Symbolic Appeal - Proteas are among the Earth’s oldest flowering families. Their unique history gives these flowers a sense of mystique… symbolizing transformation, courage, and resilience. In South African lore, proteas hold deep cultural significance, embodying both beauty and strength.

On-Trend & Universally Adaptable - Proteas, including Pink Ice, are seeing a surge in popularity thanks to their architectural form, sustainability, and versatility across styles… from rustic weddings to modern interiors. This bloom fits seamlessly into evolving aesthetics that favor individuality, texture, and sustainability.

Whether you’re a florist seeking a statement centerpiece, or a trend-savvy decorator, Protea Pink Ice delivers... combining beauty, resilience, and soulful symbolism into one unforgettable bloom.

Fabulous Foliage: Summer’s Unsung Hero in Floral Designs 🌿

While flowers often steal the spotlight, foliage is the true foundation of unforgettable floral arrangements… and summer is the ultimate season to explore its incredible variety! From serrated Grevillea Ivanhoe to two-toned Banksia integrifolia leaves, nature is bursting with texture, shape, and color right now.

Grevillea Ivanhoe

Banksia Integrifolia

Why summer? It’s the time when many foliage plants are at their peak… lush, vibrant, and full of personality. The warmer months give us access to everything from airy Grevillea Hookeriana and aromatic eucalyptus Silver Dollar to bold colorful Leucadendron like Safari Sunset. Whether you're going for rustic charm or modern elegance, there’s a foliage variety that fits the vibe.

Grevillea Hookeriana

Eucalyptus Silver Dollar

Leucadendron Safari Sunset

Foliage isn't just filler. It adds structure, depth, and movement to your designs. Want to soften a bouquet? Add wispy causurina. Need drama? Try extra-tall eucalyptus. Looking for a lush, romantic feel? Throw-in some Silver Tree or olive branches.

Causurina

Silver Tree

This summer, don’t just look for the bloom, look at what’s beneath it.

Let foliage be the star (or at least a dazzling co-star) in your summer arrangements. 🌿✨ 🍂

Banksia Sceptrum

Nature has a way of surprising us with the most unexpected treats, and Banksia sceptrum, does just that! Known for its butter-yellow hue and unique, buttery-scented blooms, this protea offers more than just visual beauty… it’s a sensory delight.

Imagine walking through a flower market, and as you take a deep breath… you're hit with the unmistakable scent of warm, salty buttered popcorn. Sceptrum’s scent is a combination of sweet, nutty undertones like the comfortingly savory aroma of being in a movie theater. This fragrance isn't just a quirk… research suggests it’s the result of certain organic compounds produced by the banksia's nectar and oils. As pollinators like birds and insects visit, they also carry the scent, spreading it through the air. It’s an aromatic experience that makes this banksia a standout not just for its visual appeal, but also as a botanical wonder for the senses.

If you want to bring a little extra magic to your designs, sceptrum is a must-see (and smell!). Not only will you be rewarded with beautiful, golden blooms, but you'll also get the added surprise of its buttered popcorn aroma. Who knew nature could be so fun?

So next time you're dreaming of a floral scent that’s both nostalgic and fragrant, look no further than the delightful Banksia sceptrum! 🌾✨🍿

July Joys: Banksia and Bush Lollies

In the world of floral design, sometimes the most unexpected flowers make the biggest impact. This month we're embracing the bold beauty of both Banksia and Grevillea flowers (affectionately called Bush Lollies) that add so much texture, color, and unique flair to summer arrangements.

While these Australian natives have long captured the hearts of gardeners, they’re also making waves in the world of floral design.

Both Banksia and Grevillea are known for their unusual, sculptural shapes and vivid colors. Their distinctive textures… Banksia’s spiky cones and Grevillea’s soft, curving twists, serve as design elements, helping to create depth and interest in any arrangement. 

•  Banksia brings drama with its large, bold blooms, which range from oranges to soft yellows and greens. The shape of the flower itself creates stunning focal points in arrangements, making it perfect for when you want a showstopper in your design.

• Grevillea, with its elegant, lacy appearance and vibrant hues, is equally captivating. The delicate, curled flowers, ranging from light pink to fuchsia to yellow or cream, add a softer, more whimsical texture that contrasts beautifully with the bolder Banksia blooms.

Whether you're designing for a wedding, a special event, summer gathering, or simply crafting a something for your home, these proteas infuse any centerpiece with a sense of adventure and vibrant natural beauty. They work especially well in designs, where loose, organic arrangements are the goal.

Pair them with other favorites like Eucalyptus, Leucospermum ‘pincushions’, and Leucadendron, and you’ve got an arrangement that captures the warmth, energy, and beauty of summer.

July is the ideal month to add some Australian Native flair to floral designs... Banksia and Grevillea flowers are the perfect way to celebrate the magic of the season, one bloom at a time.

Aristata: Christmas Sugarbush

With large, crimson blooms and fine, needle-like foliage, it’s no secret why aristata is affectionately known as the Christmas Sugarbush. Whether you enjoy the vibrancy of a deep-red flower or the festive charm of a pine tree, this protea delivers holiday vibes in the summer.

Aristata is endemic to a small section of the southern Cape Province, near the town of Ladismith. It’s part of the fynbos biome, a rich and diverse ecosystem that is one of the most biologically unique floral kingdoms in the world.

The name aristata comes from the Latin arista, meaning “bristle,” referring to the plant's fine, sharp-tipped leaves. Its common name, Christmas Sugarbush, reflects its habit of blooming in November through January, right around the holiday season in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, aristata may sound like it should be wrapped in lights, but here in California, it blooms in June and July… bringing a merry-and-bright “Christmas in July” energy our to fields.

Aristata delivers a bold statement of nature's unmatched creativity, bursting with texture and perfect for designing. From stunning bouquets to elaborate centerpieces and displays, these amazing blooms add a festive twist to designs. Their ability to adapt to various themes and arrangements, paired with its long-lasting nature, offers a versatile tool for creating striking, meaningful displays. Whether it’s a Christmas or Independence Day theme… aristata is sure to bring a touch of exotic elegance to any summer decor.

Proteas: The Colors of the Seasons

As one season slowly slips into the next… nature paints the transition with a shift in colors. While many plants retreat into dormancy through winter and early spring, Leucospermum… affectionately known as "pincushions", burst forth in a blaze of color, lighting up the fields with their unmistakable vibrance. Their fiery reds, bold oranges, and glowing yellows cut through the cool season gloom like living embers, offering a show that’s both dramatic and uplifting. Each flower head, with its unique pin-like projections, resembles a brilliant sunburst… a perfect fusion of geometry and wild beauty.

Now, as summer and fall approach, a new palette begins to emerge. The Protea bloom in soft pinks, creamy whites, and deep burgundies, each wrapped in velvety bracts that feel as luxurious as they look. Their blooms feel richer, echoing the slower rhythm of the warmer months and the shifting tones of the fields. These flowers don’t shout; they resonate… rich, textural, and timeless. Where pincushions danced with spring’s energy, protea settle into the season’s grounded warmth, echoing the golden light of late afternoon.

A beautiful reminder: our harvest is always moving, always changing. And with each bloom, the colors we gather tell the story of where we are in the year. 🍃💥🌷🍂

Banksia Baxteri: A bloom with a Tropical Twist 🌿🍈

In the sun-drenched landscapes of southwestern Australia, nature has crafted some of its most dazzling Banksia. Among them is baxteri, commonly known as Bird’s-Nest Banksia, Baxter’s Banksia, and in Hawaii, it has the nickname “Summer Lime”.

This banksia turns heads with its bright lime-green cylindrical spikes that bloom in summer. Each inflorescence is composed of thousands of tiny flowers arranged in a compact cluster. Baxteri’s leaves are leathery, deeply serrated, and arranged in whorls around the branches, adding to its full, rounded shape.

Another wonderful attribute is baxteri's incredible longevity as both a cut flower and as part of dried arrangements. Whether you’re arranging a centerpiece or creating a large floral display, the lime-green hue and textured shape of the bloom lends an artistic touch to any design. When used as the focal point, baxteri draws the eye and adds dramatic flair to arrangements.

In addition, you can pair this "Summer Lime" with soft, flowing florals like roses, dahlias, or eucalyptus to balance out the rougher edges of the Banksia. Plus, it’s also a favorite in dried floral arrangements, offering long-lasting color and texture.

For couples looking to include something unique in their wedding florals, baxteri is an inspired choice. It’s often used in wedding bouquets for its ability to create a distinct, natural look with earthy tones as it works particularly well at outdoor weddings, adding a tropical twist to the day. 🌞🍈

To ensure that your baxteri lasts as long as possible in floral arrangements, consider these simple tips: 

• Change the water regularly to prevent bacterial growth. 
• Trim the stems at an angle before placing them in water, allowing better absorption. 
• Remove any excess foliage below the waterline. 
• For dried arrangements, hang the flowers upside down in a dry, cool area to maintain their shape and color. 

If you're inspired to create a stunning arrangement, baxteri is a beautiful choice.