Eucalyptus Macrocarpa – Mottlecah

Evergreen plants, which have flourishing leaves or needles year-round, are often the foundation of a beautiful landscape or floral arrangement. Place them in the correct spots, and you'll frame your garden or centerpiece with a natural, leafy border. Plus, since many varieties offer colorful foliage, flowers, and cones, evergreen shrubs can add color and texture to any creative endeavor.

Eucalyptus, one of my favorite evergreen plants, is a large genus of more than 700 species in the Myrtle Family. While some species are tall trees, others have a multi-stemmed shrubby tendency like the flamboyant macrocarpa or “mottlecah” (the Aussie name). This distinctive species of eucalyptus has what Australians usually refer to as a “mallee” growth habit (varieties that are multi-stemmed, grow from an underground rootstock and thrive in harsh conditions).

It’s obvious why this amazing plant is celebrated for its grayish-white or bluish-white leaves and its long, sturdy branches… they make for a stunning display both in the field and in floral designs.

The usual flowering time for macrocarpa is typically late winter through spring. For months before the flowering commences, the silver dollar sized buds are visible as white domes with pointed tips, and within is a cluster of stamens. As the stamens expand, they pop off the white cap and provide a splash of bright red and yellow. The gum nuts which follow the flowers are also an interesting feature of the tree… they’re very large and have a powdery grey covering.

Leucadendron Argenteum

Did you know Leucadendron Argenteum or more commonly called Silver Tree has given its name to an entire genus of Proteaceae? The tree also divulges the obvious allure of this unique group – the splendor of its foliage. The name Leucadendron is derived from the Greek leukas meaning ‘white’ and dendron meaning ‘tree’.

Referred to as Silver Tree because its soft, elliptical leaves (which remain on the trees for years giving it evergreen status) are covered with hairs that look amazingly like silver in the sunlight and they shimmer in the wind. These trees can reach up to forty feet in height.

You don't know whether it is a male or a female until the day it flowers and shows off with large, pure silver egg-like cones (female) or yellow pollen surrounding small silver buds (male). The Silver Tree relies on wind for dispersing its seeds instead of having to attract birds or other dispersers. Each fruit looks like a small nut and is equipped with a "parachute". Once the seed is freed by strong winds, it can travel a considerable distance thanks to its design.

Silver Tree branches are stunning when used in arrangements and its individual leaves are ideal in corsages and boutonnieres.

Autumn Inspiration: Pumpkin Art

The vibes your autumn decor gives off depends entirely on what you pair them with. While we typically associate pumpkins with Halloween, they are suitable for so much more. Left whole, they can sit at many angles to give everyone at the table a beautiful view. Cut open, they make excellent containers for flowers when hollowed out. While most popular in hues of orange, white and green, pumpkins offer wonderful options for color schemes, especially when they are paired with protea and other unique botanicals.

Here is what you need to make your own:

• Fresh pumpkin 
• Knife 
• Clear plastic sheet or container 
• Chicken wire or Floral foam (optional) 
• Flowers, foliage, berries, cones, fruit 
• Clippers 
• Spray paint (optional)
  

Make it!

Carve your pumpkin so that you have a wide opening near the center of the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and pulp. Line the inside of the pumpkin with a sheet of plastic or container. If desired, cut a piece of floral foam with the knife to fit inside the pumpkin. Choose flowers and foliage with strong straight stems (proteas are perfect)! Insert the chicken wire or pre-soaked floral foam into the pumpkin and create your arrangement. Start with foliage, then add flowers, fruit, and other embellishments to create a full and interesting centerpiece.

Combining pumpkins with flowers delivers a festive yet elegant take on seasonal decorating: they make perfect porch displays for Halloween, lovely Thanksgiving centerpieces or even wonderful gifts.

Holiday Gifting the Natural Way

The holiday season is upon us, and there’s nothing we love more than adorning our gift packages with nature-inspired trimmings, and we don't even have to venture into the fields to find them. Throughout the year, a wealth of dried protea, foliage, and cones can be salvaged from bouquets, centerpieces and wreaths and re-used as embellishments. But it's certainly not too late for you to muster up some flowers and other botanical materials, your Thanksgiving decor can be re-purposed for Christmas gifting. Or, step outside. Decorations for the holiday are all around you.

For the materials, we incorporate fresh and dried proteas, cones and seed pods. Choosing some traditional holiday colors such as gold, green and silver but also some more non-traditional like pink and brown. Plus, using neutral looking wrapping paper and ribbon provide an added organic and hand-crafted feel.

This year… ‘think outside of the box’ and have fun with your own gift giving this season!

The Cornucopia

It's time for another glimpse at our favorite ‘symbol of the harvest’… the Cornucopia or also called a horn of plenty. It was traditionally made of a goat's horn overflowing with fruits, flowers and grains of the harvest.

At what time the cornucopia made its way into our country's consciousness as a Thanksgiving holiday symbol is difficult to say. But with its meaning of abundance, prosperity and good fortune, the horn of plenty is now a symbol of Americans’ thoughts of thankfulness.

Cornucopias have become customary fall centerpieces and usually feature a horn-like basket or container. Filled with autumn leaves and foliage, flowers, pods and cones, and even fresh fruits, they make a lovely holiday display. Whether referred to as a cornucopia or horn of plenty… the meaning of this ancient symbol still resonates today.

A Symbol of the Harvest

The cornucopia, also called a horn of plenty, was traditionally made of a goat's horn overflowing with fruits, flowers and grains of the harvest. It symbolizes abundance, prosperity and good fortune.

At what time the cornucopia made its way into our country's consciousness as a Thanksgiving holiday symbol is difficult to say. But with its meaning of abundance and good fortune, the horn of plenty is now a symbol of Americans’ thoughts of thankfulness.

Cornucopias have become customary fall centerpieces and usually feature a horn-like basket or vessel. Filled with autumn leaves and foliage, flowers, pods and cones, and even fresh fruits, they make a lovely holiday display. Whether referred to as a cornucopia or horn of plenty… the meaning of this ancient symbol still resonates today.

Fabulous Cone Bushes

Did you know the seed heads of female Leucadendron are woody and cone-like - hence the common name cone-bush?  During the winter, many of the Leucadendron flower and their bracts take on fabulous color - creams, yellows and even tricolor with a small greenish - yellow cone in the center.  As the branches mature in the field the cones become much larger and change shape.  In addition, their colors change to rich browns, deep reds, greens and even silvery tones.  These cones are extremely durable and full of texture making them a 'stand out' in any bouquet or arrangement.  When dried, they're prefect for use in crafts and wonderful when mixed in potpourri.  Here's some of our favorite cone-bushes! 

Macowanii

 

Rubrum

Terenifolia

Linifolium

Nobile

Crown Jubilee

Pisa

Goblet

Silver Tree