2018 SAF Outstanding Varieties Competition

The Society of American Florists (SAF) held their 134th Annual Convention in Rancho Mirage, California. It was three action packed days of educational sessions and workshops, thought-provoking breakfast sessions, the Sylvia Cup Design Competition and the Outstanding Varieties Competition featuring the best flowers, foliage and plants from farms around the world.

The Outstanding Varieties Competition has always been a great way for us to help educate wholesalers, florists, designers and other farmers about the amazing Proteas we grow, especially some of the lesser known varieties. It puts our flowers and foliage in front of the attendees so they can see them up close as well as touch and feel them. This year we had nine entries competing in three categories: Other Cut Flowers, Decorative Foliage and Flowering Potted Plant. And they were all Blue and Red Ribbon Winners… Here's how we fared:

People’s Choice & Blue Ribbon:

Protea Madiba – Other Cut Flower

Blue Ribbon:

Protea Arctic Ice – Other Cut Flower

Red Ribbon:

Leucospermum Ayoba Sun – Other Cut Flower

Protea Ivy – Other Cut Flower

Leucadendron Senorita – Decorative Foliage

Leucadendron African Tulip – Decorative Foliage

Leucadendron Phylica – Decorative Foliage

Eucalyptus Macrocarpa – Decorative Foliage

Protea King – Flowering Potted Plant

Protea Madiba

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do. - Nelson Mandela

The true hero of South Africa. The man who fought for equal rights for all and a country that stands ‘United as One’. Nelson Mandela is one of the most influential, respected and loved men in South Africa. And, did you know he has made such an impact on South Africa and has such a legacy that he has a Protea named after him? South Africa’s national flower is the King Protea and there is a special vibrant red variety that is absolutely striking, and known to many by Mandela’s tribe name, Madiba.