July Joys: Australian Native Flowers & a Surprise Summer Encore

If you're looking for unique flowers that bring texture, color, and lasting beauty to floral arrangements, our farm has been bursting with some truly spectacular seasonal blooms. This season, Banksia and Grevillea (affectionately known as Bush Lollies) have been stealing the show. Even more exciting, we're also enjoying an unexpected second flush of waxflower… something we rarely see this late in the season.

Australian native flowers are treasured by florists and flower lovers alike for their sculptural forms, incredible texture, and vibrant colors. They create beautiful focal points while adding depth, movement, and a touch of the unexpected to bouquets and designs.

Banksia is one of the most distinctive flowers we grow. Its striking cone-shaped blooms, in shades of warm orange, golden yellow, and soft green, make an unforgettable statement in everything from wedding flowers and event installations to everyday bouquets. With its bold texture and architectural form, Banksia brings natural drama while pairing beautifully with both native and traditional blooms.

Grevillea offers the perfect contrast. Its intricate, curled flowers bloom in shades of soft pink, vibrant fuchsia, rusty orange and creamy yellow, bringing elegance, movement, and a whimsical touch to every arrangement.

Together, Banksia and Grevillea create loose, organic arrangements that celebrate the beauty of nature. Whether you're styling a summer table, or simply brightening your home with fresh blooms, these Australian natives offer unmatched character, texture, and seasonal beauty.

As if that weren't enough, this season has brought an unexpected bonus.

Our waxflower is still flowering well beyond its usual season. By this time of year, we would normally have packed away the last of our waxflower, but an unusually mild spring has gifted us with a beautiful encore. Discovering fresh stems still blooming in the fields has been one of this season's happiest surprises.

Waxflower may be delicate in appearance, but it's one of the hardest-working flowers we grow. Its tiny star-shaped blooms, fresh fragrance, airy branching stems, and exceptional vase life make it a florist favorite.

One of the greatest joys of flower farming is that every year writes a different story. The weather, the seasons, and Mother Nature always have the final say, and sometimes they reward us with surprises that are even more beautiful than we imagined.

As July draws to a close, we're remind that some of the season's greatest joys are the ones we never saw coming… and that's part of the magic of flower farming.

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.

Banksia Robur

Banksia-obsessed? Maybe a little... 😊 (Hard not to be with so many wonderful species to choose from right now!)

And like clockwork… just before the summer solstice, we’re starting to see some Banksia robur or also called Swamp Banksia and Broad-Leaved Banksia.

These showy, tightly packed metallic, greenish-blue & purple blooms embody the signature qualities of this protea genus, a bottlebrush or spike-like inflorescence with hundreds of tiny flowers. The leaves are large, with toothed margins, glossy green above and light green beneath. The name robur is Latin meaning “strength” which likely refers to the robust nature of the plant or its large leaves.

Originating from the Central and North Coasts of NSW and Southern Queensland, this species is found in swamp or wetland regions (hence the name) and it's often the most visible plants... due to its size. Robur is easy to grow and makes a nice addition to a garden, as long as it has adequate water and plenty of room to spread out in the full sun.

Creating an eye-catching summer arrangement with robur is simple when mixed with other similar hued and textured florals. In this design, robur is the main focal flower and the leucadendron, leucospermum, kangaroo paws, grevillea and eucalyptus along with a few calla and rose stems blend beautifully and render a unique and exotic vibe.

Current Obsession: Banksia

Banksia-obsessed? Maybe a little... 😊 (Hard not to be with so many wonderful species to choose from right now!)

When it comes to true icons of the amazing Land Down Under, Banksia is one of them. They’ve earned a place on this list as they can be found all over the country. Awe-inspiring blooms that illustrate the signature qualities of this protea genus, bold, unique forms (bottlebrush or spike-like inflorescence) in rich, earthy colors that allow their natural beauty to shine through.

Their effervescence and textures are unrivaled and… they make wonderful cut flowers, both fresh and dried.

Unlike many other Australian wildflowers, the main flush of Banksia come not in spring but in summer and fall. To help you distinguish between the species we’re harvesting now, I’m highlighting a few of our favorites.

Burdettii or also called Burdett’s Banksia and Golden Banksia. This bloom has long serrated leaves and large, bright flower spikes that initially start out white before opening to a brilliant orange.

Victoriae or also called Woolly Orange. This lovely bloom starts out as an intriguing greyish-white bud and becomes a brilliant orange as the styles open out from the base, giving it a fluffy or woolly (hence the name) appearance.

Prionotes or also called Acorn Banksia, Orange Banksia or Orange Frost. It’s hard not to see how this banksia earned its name… the sight of an open flower-spike is enough to make any squirrel go nuts. The acorn-shaped bloom in cream and orange hues, evolves from a small silvery-white bud. The long stem and long, slender foliage contribute to its stunning texture.

Banksia baxteri or also called Bird’s-Nest Banksia, Baxter’s Banksia and in Hawaii, fittingly known as ‘Summer Lime’. This awesome bloom that starts out as a squat, lime-green bud opens to form a stunning globe-shaped flower surrounded by unique, deeply serrated foliage.

Speciosa or showy banksia. And… as the name “Showy” suggests, this species puts on quite a display with its long, green cylindrical spike and leathery, saw-tooth leaves that fan out in a circular pattern from the flower’s base. Also referred to as Green Banksia and Mint Julep due to its refreshing and revitalizing hue and Ricrac Banksia for its ridged foliage.

Want to grow your own banksia? It’s easy if you provide well-drained soil, full sunlight, and good air circulation. Plant on a low mound of soil to promote drainage, then surround the plant with mulch. Perfect drainage is critical, as banksia flowers are susceptible to root rot. Water banksia twice a week for the first year or two, then cut back to a weekly deep watering during hot, dry weather. Pruning isn’t necessary, but you can shape the plant or trim it to maintain the desired size.

Fabulous Foliage: Eucalyptus

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

Silver Dollar

Big Star Seeded

Diamond

Silver Dollar Seeded

3 Gorgeous Autumn Banksia

Within the wonderfully diverse world of proteas, the Banksia ranks among the best known and most spectacular genera of the Australian Proteaceae. Comprising of around a 178 species, plus 19 naturally occurring varieties, these amazing plants are extremely popular for their colorful flower spikes and foliage. Far from a delicate flower, yet when it blooms, this bristly protea’s vibrancy and textures are unrivaled. The styles form an inflorescence made up of hundreds of tiny flowers that open from the base, giving it a fluffy appearance.

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.

Grevillea Flowers

Grevillea flowers or also nicknamed Spiderman + Bush Lollies bloom pretty much year-round here on the farm putting on a show month after month. They’re what we call “Australian native superstars”. These come-back friends – are fuss-free sun-lovers that stand up to the rising mercury and deliver some much-needed color - especially during the summer. These lollipop-like flowers provide masses of unique blooms in an array of wonderful colors, and their texture, can only be matched by the Leucospermum - pincushion.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, this Australian Proteaceae genus – named in honor of Charles Francis Greville - is now being grown in many parts of the world. There are over a hundred species and cultivars being grown in the United States, with the majority found here in California. Grevilleas are also grown in South Africa, Mediterranean Europe, South Asia and of course, extensively in Australia where over three hundred species have been identified.

Luckily, now is the perfect time to think about adding some of these fun and awe-inspiring blooms to your summer designs. Read on to learn about some of our favorites.

'Sylvia' - Large dense, deep red flower spikes are produced on the plant for most of the year.

'Honey Gem' - A fabulous of cultivar G. banksii and G. pteridifolia. Flowers are apricot with orange-yellow style and the leaves have silvery reverse.

“Moonlight’ - This popular variety has attractive deeply divided foliage and bears beautiful, lemon-yellow toothbrush flowers.

'Misty Pink' A vigorous and hardy free flowering shrub with grayish leaves. Spectacular pink and cream 6 to 7” blooms in terminal clusters of six or more.

'Superb' - One of the best bloomers with pink, peach and creamy colored flowers.

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.

Banksia Foliage

Within the wonderfully diverse world of proteas, the Banksia ranks among the best known and most spectacular genera of the Australian Proteaceae. It now includes around a 178 species, plus 19 naturally occurring varieties and an increasing number of registered cultivars. These amazing botanicals are not only popular for their vividly colored flower spikes, their foliage is fabulous too. Banksia foliage helps create volume, structure and texture in bouquets, arrangements and displays.

The leaves of Banksia vary greatly between species. Sizes differ from the narrow, long needle-like, whispy foliage of Occidentalis (Red Swamp Banksia), to the jagged leather-like leaves of Praemorsa (Cut-leaf banksia). The most common banksia foliage, Integrifolia (Coastal Banksia or White Honeysuckle) is a bit fickle as the younger leaves are usually broad and irregular toothed, while the mature leaves are smooth and spear shaped. They have white undersides that tend to give the leaves a silvery look.

Banksia Occidentalis

Banksia Praemorsa

Banksia Integrifolia

Banksia foliage provide a lush and long-lasting base for wreaths and they blend well with just about any other flowers and greens!

July Articles of Interest

18 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. These mini clutches can range from to a single stem to collection of tiny blooms. But don't be fooled—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.
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How to grow grevilleas

Want to add colour to your winter garden? Grown all over Australia, grevilleas are fuss-free, native shrubs that flower, flower and flower – they really don’t know when to stop! They come in a great range of sizes, from groundcovers and mid-sized shrubs to tall screening plants, which are perfect for privacy. Their year-round flowers are also simply irresistible to native birds and insects. The toughest thing about growing grevilleas is choosing which ones to plant!

Read more here.
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The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

Looking to add a touch of Australiana when building a bouquet or growing your garden? There are so many stunning Australian native flowers to choose from, here is a list of some of the most popular.

Read more here.
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Flower Arranging 101

There is no quicker or easier way to add a dash of color, boost your mood, improve the appearance of your surroundings or freshen the air than adding fresh flowers and greenery to your environment.

Florists, of course, are the go-to source not only for pre-made arrangements, but for fresh-cut flowers as well. Some, like Edward on St. Simons, will take your order over the phone and place the arrangement outside their door. There are also good alternatives to be found at grocery stores and in your own backyard.

Read more here.