Ebony: The Fall Favorite with Fierce, Dark Beauty

As the crisp air of autumn settles in, it’s the perfect time to celebrate one of the season’s most captivating Leucadendron, Ebony, a variety that stands out with its deep, dark purple-black foliage that looks almost otherworldly.

It’s no wonder this stunning protea is often called ‘Ebony’ or ‘Burgundy Sunset’… its moody, dramatic tones set it apart from its well-known relative, Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’, which features more traditional red and green hues. With dark foliage now stealing the spotlight in garden and floral design trends, Ebony fits right in as a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of bold sophistication to their space.

As the season progresses, ‘Ebony’ only gets more striking. The bracts surrounding its tiny true flowers mature into a rich wine-red, creating luxurious sprays that bring warmth and depth to fall arrangements. Whether paired with Proteas, Pincushions (Leucospermum), or other seasonal blooms, this Leucadendron effortlessly elevates designs with its deep, velvety tones. Plus, Ebony is also incredibly practical its sturdy stems, long vase life, and ability to hold color make it a dream for both fresh and dried designs. Whether featured in wedding arrangements, largescale installations, or everyday fall bouquets, Ebony brings a touch of drama to any composition.

Even in the garden, Ebony shines. Its dark foliage provides a gorgeous contrast to silver or pale-green plants, and it’s far less demanding than many of its Protea cousins… thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil.

Good Moods Stem from Flowers

Have you ever noticed how your mood brightens when you spot a vibrant bloom or smell the sweet aroma of flowers? There's more to that feeling than just a beautiful sight, flowers have a special way of lifting our spirits and spreading joy.

Good moods, much like flowers, have their roots in nature. Flowers symbolize beauty, growth, and resilience, and these qualities are naturally linked to our health. When we surround ourselves with flowers or take a moment to appreciate their colors, textures and scents, it’s as if we’re tapping into a natural source of happiness.

The act of gifting or receiving flowers has been shown to trigger positive emotions and even reduce stress. Flowers have a natural ability to encourage mindfulness, helping us focus on the present moment and appreciate the little things. Simply being in the presence of flowers or nurturing your own garden can promote feelings of calm and contentment.

Just like a flower needs sunlight, water, and care to bloom, so do our moods. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nature’s touch to remind us that beauty and joy are all around us. So, let the flowers be your reminder to nurture your happiness, after all, a good mood is just a stem away.

Growing Proteas

Did you know California is one of five Mediterranean-climate regions on the earth where proteas are grown? It’s true! And since autumn tends to be the ideal planting time… we have a few growing tips for you.

• Plant in a sunny location where the air flows freely around the plant. 
• Planting on slopes or slightly elevated mounds is often beneficial because water runoff decreases drainage problems. 
• Proteas flourish in sandy, acidic, well-drained and rocky soils. 
• Dig a hole twice the size of the pot the plant came in. Be sure to break up the soil that is removed from the hole to soften its texture. 
• Never disturb the soil around the roots. 
• Water deeply once a week for the first two years after planting. 
• Apply mulch like bark or wood chips around the plant (a slight distance from the stem) as it helps control weed growth and keeps the soil cool. 
• Fertilizers are not necessary as proteas grow naturally in very nutrient-poor soils.

Wondering how to prune your protea plants to keep them happy and ensure a bountiful harvest once they’re established? First, be sure to pick the flowers as it’s the best way to keep plants neat and compact. Remove the blooms with a good length of stem, leaving new growth behind. To encourage bushy growth… prune only the flowered stems as the un-flowered stems are next season’s blooms.

Fynbos

Fynbos is one of the earth’s hot spots because of its exceptional biodiversity. It’s little wonder that Fynbos which literally means ‘fine bush’ has been touted for its unique type of vegetation that accounts for more than 80 percent of the plant species in the Cape Floral Kingdom. And, more than two-thirds of these plant species are not found growing naturally anywhere else in the world (like Mimetes pictured above). Many of these amazing plants have been used for their decorative and gardening purposes, medicinal purposes and even their magical powers. Despite the growing interest in fynbos, it remains a mystery to many people. Some species can be found growing right under their noses and they don’t even realize it.

Fynbos is composed of approximately 100 families with the three largest and most well-known families being: the ericas, proteas and restos. With that in mind, there are plenty more families to get to know – Here are just a few of our favorites:

Agapanthus means ‘Flower of Love’ and is derived from the Greek agape’ meaning ‘love’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’. They are also known as the ‘lily of the Nile’ and the ‘African lily’ even though they are not a lily. Did you know in the world of magic the agapanthus is a highly respected plant? The roots can be used to make a love charm and their magical powers even ward off thunder. And agapanthus can serve as a fire-break if you plant it close enough to the house.

Egyptians called the aloe vera plant “plant of immortality,” 6,000 years ago. Cleopatra applied the moist middle of the spiky plant to her body as part of her beauty regimen. Greeks used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia and the Native Americans called it the “Wand of the Heaven.”

Leonotis leonurus is also known as wild dagga and lion's tail. Wild dagga flowers and leaves were smoked by the Hottentot tribe of southern Africa because of its euphoric effect. In traditional healing, wild dagga is used to treat fevers, headaches, coughs, and skin rashes. It's also used as a charm to keep snakes at bay and has been used to treat snake bites.

Tulbaghia Violacea or wild garlic is also called Society Garlic because Dutch settlers thought it was a more polite spice to use for flavoring dishes than true garlic particularly for social events. And the Zulu used both the flowers and the leaves to make hot seasoning with meat and potatoes. Tulbaghia is a disinfectant, and the bulb has been used to treat coughs and colds.

In the Field: Leucospermum – Pincushions

Spring has finally sprung here in Rainbow! The Leucospermum fields are slowly starting to come to life, and with your first glimpse of these unique looking flowers… you just might think a fireworks display somehow fell out of the sky.

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.

January Articles of Interest

IN THE GARDEN
Tricks to grow proteas away from their home

Growing proteas, pincushions and leucodendrons is a challenge in our part of the country, as the care you render to your usual garden plants here is rejected by the protea family.

For instance, feeding proteas with fertiliser as you would any other plant may be likened to letting a child loose in a sweet store. Unlike other plants the protea plant cannot control its uptake of nutrients - gorging itself to the detriment of the plant growth and sometimes leading to its demise.

Read more here.
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5 flower trends expected to surge in popularity in 2021

'Receiving or giving flowers and making your home beautiful will continue to be important next year,' says Larry Walshe, celebrity London florist and founder of Bloom.

'Following two national lockdowns, we have all learned that flowers are not just a luxury, but rather a necessity that bring joy, pleasure and a boost to wellbeing. The use of plants and flowers in the home is beneficial for both our physical and mental health, thanks to the air-purifying qualities of blooms and their ability to help reduce stress and anxiety.'

Take a look at the flower trends set to surge in popularity...

Read more here.
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Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the World

The 24 hours of affection known as Valentine’s Day originated in Europe more than 1,500 years ago as a Christian feast commemorating the martyrdom of Rome’s St. Valentinus. However, the earliest known mention of Feb. 14 as an actual celebration of love occurs in 1375 AD within medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s Parliament of Foules, a work that cites the 14th as the day both birds and humans are most likely to find mates.

American Valentine’s Day expressions of endearment include everything from greeting cards, love letters, and heart-shaped chocolates to a dozen roses, teddy bears, and balloons. It’s a day of marriage proposals, weddings, and nights dining out. But the United States isn’t the only country to celebrate romance. Nations around the world have spent centuries developing their own unique ways to mark love’s holiday. Here’s how some countries across the globe celebrate the day of love.

Read more here.

Creating Healthy Connections Through Flowers

Gather all things cheerful and bright! Quarantine hasn’t been easy, and it has definitely taken a toll on all of us. To feel better, we need to take action to keep our minds, bodies and businesses healthy. Having a positive mental attitude is number one, but the objects that surround us are vital too.

Flowers are not only a NATURAL remedy to help revitalize and balance our moods, but they also have so many other wonderful benefits.

Flowers connect people with nature. You’ve heard the saying, “stop and smell the roses.” While it might seem a bit cliché, it is advice actually worth taking, particularly when life feels chaotic. Flowers trigger the release of endorphins, the brain’s “happy” chemicals, which help you relax and make you feel more comfortable. Interacting with nature also has a positive effect on physical health. Considering the harmful effects that stress can have on the body, that old saying might be a bit more meaningful than you think.

Flowers are nature’s coaches… their care teach vital life skills, such as dependability, time management, creative thinking + self-awareness. Beyond their unspoken teaching talents, flowers are excellent entertainers too. Nurturing a garden or creating arrangements (for instance), are fun activities that are appropriate for just about everyone.

Flowers bridge the gap created by the need for physical distancing now being experienced between family, friends and co-workers. As stay at home measures keep once-normal gatherings to a minimum, floral gifts have reconnected individuals, allowing for the celebration of many missed moments.

Flowers with their own special meaning, serve as a ‘silent’ language. Bits of this tradition still remain used today, with certain varieties expressing feelings like love, friendship and gratitude. When words are not enough, flowers can help convey heartfelt emotion… such as red roses and tulips to declare affection, or proteas to express strength, courage and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Fortunately, no one needs a reason to ask if they deserve flowers, the answer will always be YES!

November Articles of Interest

The one sure way to kill these beautiful,

hardy plants is with too much water and fertilizer

Some of the most glamorous plants for Southern California gardens come from a region whose soil is so poor in nutrients that fires are essential in providing fertilizer in the form of ashes for the existing flora. I am speaking about South Africa’s Cape floristic region. This area is more packed with endemic species than any other place on earth.

“Endemic” describes plants that are native to a specific place. Our own Channel Islands, for example, are famous for the seventy endemic species that grow there, and California has more endemic species than any other state. Yet the number of endemic species in the Cape floristic region — an area the size of Colorado — approximates the number of endemic species in all of North America.

Read more here.
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The florist behind Melourne’s Urban Blooms project

What better way to celebrate a reawakening than with flowers. Capturing the spirit of Melbourne after months of lockdown is the huge floral display that Cherrie Miriklis-Pavlou of Flowers Vasette installed over the grand archway at the entrance of the iconic Flinders Street Station last Saturday.

The Flinders Street installation falls under the Urban Blooms project that is part of the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund delivered by the City of Melbourne and the Victorian State.

Read more here.
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Dried flowers are an Instagram obsession.
Here’s how to preserve, arrange and photograph them.

At first glance, Euclid Farm’s storefront might catch your eye as just another stylish Queen Street boutique, but look a little closer and you may be surprised at what you see. The shop window is filled with a display of dried flowers - and containers of dried blooms and grasses wrapped in bouquets of brown craft paper are the first thing you see when you step into the shop located directly across from Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Read more here.
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Handcrafting Beautiful Bloom Arrangements

I have always loved the sight of a fresh, unique bouquet inside my home. Not only do flowers incite mood-enhancing qualities, but they also add just the right pop of color to a room. And while I enjoy my weekly routine of picking up premade bunches from a store, I thought it would be fun to learn how to create an arrangement using dried/preserved flowers, which are gaining popularity in home decor and at events. They’re also low maintenance since they don’t require changing of water and can be swapped throughout the seasons.

Read more here.

Flower News: July’s Stories of Interest from Around the World

Gardening | Enduring love affair with pretty proteas

Proteas are often admired in floral arrangements and are bought 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. 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. Spring is an ideal time in which to do this.

Read more here.
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A Floral Trend We're Loving: Garland Wedding Bouquets

If you've been searching for nontraditional bridal bouquet options, you've probably come across a few creative alternatives. Chances are, you've even stumbled upon one of our favorite new bouquet iterations—the garland. These trailing, flower-studded vines first gained popularity on wedding tablescapes, as substitutes for more traditional floral centerpieces. They've now migrated on over to the bouquet sphere, and we're so glad brides and florists alike have helped make it happen.

Read more here.
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Protea Christmas Angels

Shirley Bovshow stops by to create Protea Christmas Angels for the holidays.

If you enjoy craft projects, you can use your dried flowers as natural material for sculptural inventions. Protea by themselves or in a combination with other natural elements, decorative objects, and foraged finds, make creative ornaments, dolls and other decorative objects.

When protea blooms find their ultimate place in a dried arrangement or ornament, they finish a story that began in Gondwanaland and triumphed over a thousand adversities. They represent a special kind of bond, a link to the past and a reminder of the present and how new life springs eternal.

Read more here.

What’s New: Resendiz Brothers Book

In the 19 years since Resendiz Brothers was launched, we’ve collected hundreds of amazing photographs of the fields and flowers we grow. Now, for the first time, we’ve gathered the very best of those pictures, some fascinating protea information and designing ideas into one place. All the pictures were taken by Mel and me, the text derived from our numerous blogs and the book’s composition by Paulette Sierra, our creative guru. This Protea guide captures the beauty and unique characteristics of the array genera, species and cultivars grown here in Southern California.

The book starts with a brief history of Protea in California and goes on to tell how Ismael ‘Mel’ was able to turns his passion for protea into a flourishing family farm. Protea, Leucospermum, Banksia, Leucadendron and several lesser known genera are beautifully featured along with a narrative on their characteristic and growth habits. There’s also information geared towards gardening requirements and planting -- watering, fertilization, and pruning. Spanning all four seasons with design ideas geared towards creating bouquets, arrangements and wreaths – this book provides an abundance of Protea inspiration throughout. Click here to order.

Flowers on Your Head

If you’re a fan of Flowers, School Gardens and Kids, our friend, Mud Baron needs no introduction. A self-proclaimed “farmer, artist and teacher”, he fills his days helping kids develop job skills while creating beauty through gardening. Benevolent artist that he is, Mud recently stopped by Grand View Boulevard Elementary to show his support for LA’s BEST annual fundraiser Locally Grown: A Garden Party being held on March 15th.

Mud’s motto, “Kids should encounter nature every day” and he passes that message on beautifully through his Flowers on Your Head talent.

LA’s BEST provides an after school and summer enrichment program to 25,000 elementary school students in 198 schools in the most economically distressed neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles. Students are given the tools to excel in school, discover new talents and create a brighter future.