Often referred to as the Giant Orange Nodding Pincushion, this pincushion brings a burst of fiery color from March through June. Its standout feature? Those massive flower heads—5 to 6 inches wide—that create a striking visual impact. Whether it’s in the field or a centerpiece being admired up close, it never fails to turn heads.
Introduced from a seedling back in 1974, the Flame Giant was registered in South Africa under the name ‘Vlam’ in 1981. The name "Vlam" translates to “flame”, “flash,” or e“blaze” in Afrikaans, which perfectly captures the fiery essence of this incredible bloom. This beautiful cultivar was bred for its bold, eye-catching look, making it a favorite for those seeking unique and dynamic flowers.
Not only does the Flame Giant bring vibrant orange-red hues that resemble a mini fireworks display, but it’s also a fantastic addition for designers looking to add a bold touch to their spring designs. Its fiery tones add warmth and vibrance, creating a stunning contrast against the fresh greenery and pastel blooms of the season.
The Flame Giant is more than just a flower; it’s a living burst of color that embodies the spirit of spring.
There's something inherently uplifting about orange. It’s bold yet inviting, vibrant yet soothing, creating a perfect balance that stirs our emotions. When we see these flowers, we can’t help but feel a sense of enthusiasm, and even comfort. It's as though the orange blooms are a reminder that life is full of brightness and possibility, even on cloudy days.
Orange makes any space feel welcoming and lively. It’s impossible to look at orange without feeling a sense of joy, as if the color itself is inviting us to smile and celebrate the moment. Whether it's in nature, fashion, or design, orange carries an undeniable presence that lights up our world, reminding us to embrace life with energy, positivity, and a little bit of flair.
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.
It’s that time of the year when our pincushion fields high up in the hills of Ranibow start to look like firework displays that were pulled right out of the sky and tossed onto the steep hillsides. And when it comes to the ‘Best in Show’ display, there is no doubt Leucospermum Brandi dela Cruz takes the gold for its dazzling carpet of color and texture. A field full of blooms in rich golden-yellow with orange tints and each flower, large with a diameter of almost 6 inches. Breathtaking! This gorgeous variety is mostly a mix of Leucospermum reflexum and lineare parents...quite a stunning conjugal to say the least.
These fanciful blooms atop sturdy stems create colorful focal points not only in the field but when displayed in floral designs.
Some of the most popular members of the Proteaceae family, Leucospermum are easily recognized by their flower-heads with long, conspicuous styles, each one thickened at its apex to form a pollen presenter. Together the mass of styles, look a lot like pins bristling from a pincushion, a similarity that has given rise to their popular name Pincushions.
Unlike flowers of the genus Protea, which rely on their showy bracts for visual appeal, Leucospermum put all their art into the colors of the flowers themselves as well as the flowing shape of each curving component. These fanciful blooms atop sturdy stems create colorful focal points in the field and when displayed in floral designs.
Leucospermums are not only popular for their beautiful flowering heads, but the plants are also easily cultivated and make wonderful garden shrubs. They are fast growing and can produce a fabulous display of yellow, orange, red and even multi-colored blooms for years when grow under the right conditions.
If you are lucky enough to have a garden, potential flower arrangements bloom mere footsteps from your own back door. Otherwise, shops, roadside stands and farmers markets are brimming with flowers, often making it difficult to decide what to take home.
During warm summer days, spending hours arranging flowers can be brutal. What looks best are casual, fresh flowers thrust into a galvanized tin or bucket or even a wicker basket. Our projects for the season are inevitably the easiest of the year: mixing Grevillea flowers, hydrangea, fox glove and a lily in a metal container to adorn a small table, filling a bicycle basket with banksia, grevillea, alstroemeria and lilies to make a welcoming display, and placing a whimsical bouquet in a galvanized basket to decorate the picnic table or wine barrel.
Greens so unsullied you feel calm and invigorated. Clear, bright yellow pincushions spring forth from the robust dark green foliage like fireworks. High Golds in the fields look almost neon, and all of this natural beauty is set against a vibrant blue sky. This is springtime in Rainbow.
Leucospermum High Gold is one of our favorite cultivars here on the farm and typically harvested April through June. Their fabulous foliage provides a striking contrast to yellow pincushion flower heads that are prominently displayed on long, straight stems. High Gold is a cross of Leucospermum cordifolium 'Yellow Bird' and Leucospermum patersonii, the pollen parent. High Gold not only makes a wonderful cut flower, but it is also a favorite among gardeners as well.
These amazing flowers add so much texture to bouquets and arrangements, and they look fabulous mixed with just about any other spring blooms.
Yellow is the color of sunshine, hope, and happiness. Yellow stands for freshness, happiness, positivity, clarity, energy, optimism, enlightenment, remembrance, intellect, honor, loyalty, and joy.
It’s that time of the year 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 ‘Best in Show’ display, there’s no doubt Leucospermum Brandi dela Cruz takes the gold for its dazzling carpet of color and texture. A field full of blooms in rich golden-yellow with orange tints and 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 mostly a mix of Leucospermum reflexum and lineare parents. Brandi dela Cruz is extremely prolific, long stemmed and has a very good vase life.
With snow and rain still falling outside many of your windows, spring may still feel far away. To tide you over until you can spend more time outdoors, we're gathering some of our favorite Leucospermum ‘pincushions’ to brighten indoor spaces. Flame Giants, High Gold, Spider, Succession, Red Sunset, Hawaii Yellow and more - each stem like fireworks bursting with color and texture!
