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.

Spring: A Time of Revival & Beauty

Spring is a time of revival and beauty, and nowhere is that more evident than in our fields. The onset of spring is the time when many proteas burst into bloom and do they ever! Unique blooms open to a rainbow of lively hues, from golden yellows and vibrant oranges to pastel pinks and soft creams. Proteas are a token of spring, conveying special symbolism, and the spirit of the Easter season.

This amazing family of flowers and foliage represents beauty, which is fitting for their exotic and unique appearance. When placed next to other beautiful flowers, proteas will stand out in any arrangement. Each flower's presence is perceived as a symbol of elegance, individuality, courage, and resilience.

Let our seasonal bounty of proteas inspire and entice to enhance your holiday arrangements.

For glorious color turn to Leucospermum or pincushions, like Brandi dela Cruz with its vibrant, textural bloom (almost six inches in diameter) and the showy golden-yellow and orange hues. Leucospermum put all their art into the colors of their flowers as well as the flowing shape of each curving component. These fanciful blooms atop sturdy stems create colorful focal points when displayed in floral designs.

Protea come in a variety of sizes and colors, with Pink Duke being one of our spring favorites. This lovely cultivar produces large, rose-pink blooms with a light pink central dome and white feathery tips. It has the soft green leaves of the P. magnifica and the clear velvety, pink flower of the P. Trish Compacta.

Grevillea Misty Pink, similar to Leucospermum in texture but long instead of round. These pink and cream lollipop-like protea are also called Bush Toothbrush, Spiderman and fittingly named Bush Lollies. They’re what we call ‘fun flowers’ because they add so much animation and color when mixed in centerpieces.

Leucadendron Pom Pom in stunning hues of cream and maroon. As with all Leucadendron, the emphasis is placed on the beauty of the foliage and leaves. The colorful petals of the Leucadendron are called bracts or modified leaves, and the true flower is the cone nestled among their bracts.

Leucospermum – Pincushion Blanchito

It is that time of the year once again when our pincushion fields start to look like fireworks displays that were pulled right out of the sky and tossed onto the steep hillsides. And when it comes to the most ‘Eye-Catching’ display, there’s no doubt Leucospermum Blanchito takes first prize for its dazzling color and texture.

There’s nothing more breathtaking than a field full of blooms in rich reddish-orange and golden hues, each flower, large with a diameter of almost 6 inches. This pincushion is one of the new hybrids from the University of Hawaii's research project on Maui. A gorgeous selection that is a mix of 75 % Leucospermum lineare, and vestitum making up the balance of its family line. Blancito is extremely prolific, long stemmed and has a very good vase life.

Serruria

This delightful genus of forty-four species from South Africa's Cape is a popular member of the Protea family. Serruria has received its connoisseur status among florists, designers and gardeners due to its rarity in nature and cultivation, as well as its exquisite blooms. Papery white and pink bracts surrounding feathery tufts of white to pinkish flowers are produced over winter and spring. Blushing Bride and 'Pretty ‘n’ Pink' are some of the most sought after and well-know varieties currently being grown.

Serruria 'Pretty ‘n’ Pink'

Serruria Blushing Bride

It is thought Serruria Blushing Bride received its name in South Africa because of its traditional use in bridal bouquets and through the custom of young men in the Cape Region wearing the flowers in a buttonhole of their jacket when courting. Unfortunately, Blushing Bride seems to have been over-exploited as the species was near extinction or even believed to be "lost" for 90 years in the wild until conservation measures in the 1960’s and 70's saved it.

When buying Serruria look for:

1.  Bunches with 1/2 of the flowers open. 
2. Avoid bunches with drooping blooms.

Flower Care:

1. Keep cool when possible. 
2. Split bunches and strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem. 
3. Re-cut at least ¼” off the stems and place in cool water immediately. 
4. Always use a preservative as it will help the buds to open. 
5. Replace water frequently.

For the Love of Texture

A couple bunches of Berzelia or ‘Buttonbush’… is all you need for that occasional texture fix. This ‘other-worldly’ botanical is a BIG favorite of ours here on the farm. For all the visual impact these bobbles offer, their unique element of texture not only appeals to your sense of sight, but also to your tactile senses as well. Whether it is Berzelia Lanuginosa or Red Jelly, these small, round buttons are engaging, making you want to just reach out and touch them.

Berzelia, is one of approximately eight species found in the Bruniaceae family, one of the few families that is endemic to the Cape Floral Kingdom. It is a wonderful evergreen shrub that grows naturally in the wild from the northwestern to the southwestern parts of the Western Cape.

Berzelia can grow to more than 4 feet tall. Its branches are long, slender and straight. It has soft, fern-like foliage that surrounds the entire stem from top to bottom in a spiral-like design. The flowers are often massed in spherical heads and range in colors from creamy white to several shades of green, yellow and some varieties are even two-toned. Berzelia flowers from winter through spring. Then after flowering, it develops attractive, creamy white seeds that can remain on the shrub for at least one to two years. This wonderful botanical has become extremely popular among designers throughout the world for its exotic appearance and fabulous texture which compliments a range of stylist moods.

Fall into Jewel Tones

With the Holiday Season only weeks away, now is the time to fall into Jewel Tones and create a little extra drama by adding these rich colors to your arrangements and bouquets! Autumn proteas bring an exotic and unique touch to any design, especially when combined with warm, saturated colors like topaz, emerald and sapphire, and unexpected textures like brunia, roses, ranunculus, everlastings and cones + pods. When paired with fabulous foliage like leucadendron, agonis, grevillea + eucalyptus, another level of allure and sophistication is added to the design...and, that's especially welcome during this magically time of the year. Here are some of our favorite designs bursting with deep hues and rustic stems.

Protea Wedding Inspiration: Luz and Philippe Wiliamson

You KNOW how much we love protea farming! Well, we couldn’t be more excited to share some homegrown protea wedding inspiration with you. Mel and I got to be on both sides of the wedding fence this month when our friend Flor Franco’s daughter, Luz, tied the knot in a beautiful garden estate over-looking La Jolla shores. Flor said she wanted proteas for Luz’s wedding but when asked to design and create all the décor and accessories, we were thrilled. It’s not too often we get the opportunity to create the bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, arch, flower girl accessories, garnish the cake and enjoy the flowers we grow while attending the wedding as guests.

Let’s just say that, for farmers who love proteas, we were in heaven and OMG… the arch, the cake, the bouquets! I just love the way this wedding combined the elements of soft and strong – protea, Serruria blushing bride, Brunia albiflora and vibrant pincushions mixed with the dreamiest of fabrics in hues of cream and teal, contrasting with colorful water carafes. For us, it was the perfect representation of the flowers we’re so passionate about growing!

Beauty was a huge hallmark of this wedding day, every detail from the scenic venue to the alluring décor was absolutely breathtaking.