Grandicolor. This unique and alluring Protea is a mix of grandiceps and aurea, a rare combo to say the least. Shades of cream play across the bracts as they deepen to peach at the base. Bi-color pink and white lashes provide a delicate edging to the rusty-red center. Silvery-green egg-shape foliage with a leathery feel vigorously adorn the long and straight stem.
Just when you think your fall floral collection is complete, Grandicolor blooms. Designs rich in these early-autumn blooms reflect the spirit and joy of the upcoming holiday season. Plus, these exquisite, medium sized blooms can be tucked in and added to just about any fall arrangements — they’re chic, colorful, and just in time.
Turning an ordinary arrangement into a ‘seasonal gathering’ is as easy as focusing on the accents you're bringing into it. Are you adding colors into your design that creates a warm and inviting aura? Concentrate, on the elements needed to achieve the look from Protea, Banksia and Grevillea, to Leucadendron and other fabulous fall foliage. How can you add an extra texture to the centerpiece?
In this season of abundance, there are so many wonderful options. You’ll also want to be sure to make full use of those richly colored fruit that flourish during this time of the year. Persimmons, pomegranates, apples or any other produce can be added to the arrangement or simply displayed off to the side to deliver more of an autumnal ambiance, while bringing even more nature inside to enjoy.
Native to down under, there are over 900 species of eucalyptus trees. The name eucalyptus comes from the ancient Greek words eu meaning “good” and kalypto meaning “cover”. And besides being known as a koala bear’s favorite treat, the foliage is also loved for its soothing scent and interesting shapes and textures. Ranging from silver dollar sized, to slender, to long and oval-shaped, eucalyptus foliage is instantly recognizable. The leaves can be blue to green and silver, and often have a waxy coating that makes them appear frosted.
Eucalyptus, with a calming quality that evokes nature, optimism, and growth, is popping up just about everywhere (displays, centerpieces, bouquets, garlands, and wreaths). This wonderful foliage adds so much volume, texture and height to décor while emitting its own kind of botanical magic.
Here are a few of our fall favorites.
Blue Gum
Willow or Feather
Big Star Seeded
Diamond
Unlike many of southern Australian wildflowers the main flush of Banksia come not in spring but in autumn and winter. To help you distinguish between a few of the species, we’re highlighting three of our fall faves: Banksia hookeriana, prionotes and victoriae.
Hookeriana or also referred to as Eneabba Banksia or Hooker's Banksia. This species’ long-stemmed, decorative orange flower is up to 5” or more in length developing from grayish-pink buds.
Prionotes or also called Acorn Banksia, Orange Banksia, Golden Bankisa or Orange Frost. This autumn favorite has large acorn-shaped flower spikes (hence the name) 6 to 8” long in cream and orange hues, opening from small silvery-white buds. The long stems and long, slender foliage contributes to flower’s stunning texture.
Victoriae or also named Woolly Orange. This Banksia starts as an intriguing woolly, greyish-white bud and becomes a brilliant orange as the styles open out. Victoriae blooms range in size from 6 to 10" in length and 5" in diameter and have fabulous, serrated foliage on long rigid stems.
Creating a fall arrangement is as simple as getting the right materials and mixing them together. The combination of banksia, protea, leucadendron, fruited branches and more provides a variety of colors, shapes, and textures that instantly makes the arrangement look complete.
Did you know this year “Passion” is also a 2022 floral trend? During July’s AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas the new American Floral Trends Forecast was unveiled by nationally recognized floral trend experts.
“Passion” is all about “Romancing Hues”. Gemstone hues are reflected with Anemones, Iris, Peonies, Proteas, and Tulips certain to stir the senses in a trend story reserved for one of the great human emotions – “Passion”. This trend communicates the full range of passion-based consumer purchases to the language of flowers, and what it means when desiring saturated colors and sensuous florals. While these regal colors are nothing new, the application to mix them with more intensity, less contrast, and even greater monbotanical scale reveal a desire for more-is-more luxurious floral compositions. Influenced by idiochromatic precious gems to sartorial influences, this trend foresees bold and next-level designs in floral styling by multiplying style options from classic florals to exotic blooms. Other notable elements include vintage golds, blackened bronze, modernized urns and compotes, with rich deep green foliage statements.
To learn more, visit: American Floral Trends 2022!
Leucadendron Ebony or also called ‘Burgundy Sunset’ was named because of its purple-black leaves, a very distinct feature when compared to the green foliage of ‘Safari Sunset’ (the species from which it evolved). When Ebony blooms, the bracts that surround the ‘true flower’ turn a deep wine-red delivering a stunning cluster of flowers!
Aside from the splendor and significant of its name, Ebony stands out as a cut foliage and has real lasting power. It can last up to a month in a flower arrangement. This makes it a perfect Leucadendron for autumn and the up-coming holiday season, and those who are looking to add a unique, textural addition to their designs.
Ebony has FALL written all over it and because its colors are so vivid and eye-catching, the design options this Leucadendron provides are endless.
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 a 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 top our list), or experiment with an array of fabulous blooms. Some of my go to favorites are dahlias, amaranthus, 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.
