Christmas in July - Protea Angels

It's no secret that I love protea. And I'm a firm believer that it's never too early to start preparing for Christmas! I’ve been watching the Hallmark’s Christmas in July movies and getting into the spirit. If you want to start doing a little Christmas in July crafting read on for a fun project, you can start making today!

DIY Protea Angels - Is there anything better than Christmas decor that is hand-made and natural?

Protea angels are not only pretty ornaments on a tree though… Imagine how sweet they could be sitting on a shelf, or adorning a holiday table? Best of all, they only take a few minutes to make.

First, you need to gather your supplies. Here's what I used:

• Dried protea blooms and pods 
• Protea leaves 
• Everlastings and other decorative flowers 
• Small wooden doll head 
• Sharpie markers 
• Hot glue gun 
• Twine

To make these you need to drill a small whole in the bottom of the wooden doll head and then design the face (eyes, nose, mouth and hair) with the colored markers. Repeat this step for as many angels as you'd like to make.

Then select the dried protea blooms you prefer to use for the body of the angels. Next you need to affix the wood doll head to the stem of the protea flower using the hot glue to secure it in place.

Cut a small piece of twine, twist it in half and attach it to the head with a dab of the hot glue. Finally, use the everlastings and other decorative blooms to fashion the angels with a floral crown and dress garnishing.

Just like a snowflake, no two protea angels you create will be exactly alike. That’s the beauty of nature and handmaking your own Christmas ornaments. Each is unique and different and beautiful.

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.
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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.
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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.

July: American Grown Design Inspiration

Although the New Year officially begins in January, here on the farm we can’t help but think that July deserves a little homage too. There’s something about the month, perhaps it’s the fact we’ve reached the year’s halfway mark or maybe because it’s American Grown Flowers Month… that seems to muster up a little nostalgia. With that in mind, these ‘dog days of summer’ aren’t easy to shake off. Whether you’re planning a cozy outdoor rendezvous, catching up on the latest floral trends or simply spending more time relaxing at home, we’ve created a summer inspired arrangement. A few of our usual favorites are included, like Banksia, Protea, Brunia and Leucospermum, with the foliage choices as a nod to the ‘summer essentials’ trend, as well as some fennel flowers, Southern Lagniappe, zinnias and everlasting for an extra splash of color.

Scroll down for a glimpse at our summer recipe, as we hope it will inspire you to create your own seasonal bliss!

July: Summer Design Inspiration

Although the New Year officially begins in January, here on the farm we can’t help but think that July deserves a little acknowledgment too. There’s something about the month, perhaps it’s the fact we’ve reached the year’s halfway mark or maybe because it’s American Grown Flowers Month… that seems to muster up a little nostalgia. With that in mind, these ‘dog days of summer’ aren’t easy to shake off. Whether you’re planning your next summer gathering, catching up on the latest floral trends or simply spending more time outdoors, we’ve created a summer inspired arrangement. A few of our usual favorites are included, like banksia, protea, and erica, with the foliage choices as a nod to the ‘summer essentials’ trend, as well as some lilies and everlastings for an extra splash of color. Below, we’ve broken down the arrangement by the individual stem to give you a better picture of each ingredient.

Protea cynaroides or King

Banksia robur

Erica verticillata

Grevillea Ivanhoe

Olive

Leucadendron Christmas Bells

Stargazer Lily

 Everlastings

Protea News: June’s Articles and Blogs of Interest from Around the World

FIELD TO VASE
DINNER TOUR 2018

American Grown Flowers’ annual dinner tour
make two stops in California in April.

On a patchwork of some 15 parcels of hilly land with rocky, dry soil in northern San Diego County, Ismael "Mel" Resendiz has carved out a floral paradise. His farm, clinging to steep, remote hillsides and linked to civilization with narrow dirt roads, many of which Resendiz himself built, defies convention. So does its signature product, the otherworldly but undeniably lovely protea. Read more here.
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Venice's Unlikely Florist grows
beyond his man-with-a-van beginnings

Like many L.A. stories, Spencer Falls’ began with a long list of restaurant jobs, auditions and the necessity of a side hustle. So when his goal to become an actor didn’t go as planned, he dreamed up an idea that had wheels — he decided to sell flowers out of his 1980 VW Vanagon on Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice. Read more here.
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Senate Declares July
‘American Grown Flowers Month’

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) introduced a resolution on June 12 designating July as “American Grown Flower Month.”

The resolution notes that the U.S. Senate recognizes: that purchasing flowers grown in the United States supports the farmers, small businesses, jobs and the U.S. economy; that growing flowers and greens in the United States is a vital part of the U.S. ag industry; and urges “all people of the United States to proactively showcase flowers and greens grown in the United States in order to show support for our flower farmers, processors, and distributors as well as agriculture in the United States overall.” Read more here.