Brunia Albiflora – Coffee Bush

Whenever this beautiful botanical is seen, it is often greeted with curiosity and wonder as if it has never been seen before. The mysterious, almost alien looking Brunia albiflora is also called coffee bush and coffee-scented berzelia after its coffee scented berries or actually "small-ball shaped flowers". This single-stemmed shrub has long leafy branches with beautiful dark green foliage that resembles a pine tree but is much softer. In early summer, the berries form into tight spherical knob-like inflorescences that are clustered into flat, rounded heads in a deep green hue touched with silver.

As the season evolves the flowers start to open in a ring, starting on the outside of the berries and working inwards. Each tiny flower is about ¼” long, white with yellow stamens sticking out, giving the inflorescence a cream colored nuance.

Whether used in its berry stage or flowering, albiflora not only provides interesting texture, but it also adds a whimsical feel to designs. Plus, it blends well with most flowers (especially proteas), it's hardy and dries extremely well. And on a side note... in the Language of Flowers, it symbolize Chivalry.

What to look for:

• If possible, buy before the flowers are open as branches with cones last longer than open flowers. 
• Leaves should have a glossy green appearance. 
• Avoid bunches with flowers showing brown marks.

Flower Care:

1. Keep cool. 
2. Strip leaves from the lower half of each stem. 
3. Recut at least ½” off each branch and place in water. 
4. Don’t use a preservative as this may open the flower buds. 
5. Add a half cap of bleach to the vase. 
6. Replace vase water with fresh water every 2 days.

In the Field: Protea Aristata

Ready for a big “did you know” protea moment? To make summer in the fields a little more colorful, check out the, beautiful, Protea aristata that blooms in hot, dry conditions from June through August. We’re taking a deep dive into the wonders of aristata – a favorite summer protea – with information you’ll want to know and share.

Protea aristata (aristata = sharp-tipped leaves), was first collected in 1928 near the town of Ladismith in the Cape Province. Although thought to be common in the Seweweekspoort region, aristata could not be found again until 1953, prior to which it was believed for quite some time that it had become extinct. Aristata, also known as Ladismith sugarbush, Ambassador sugarbush, small pine sugarbush and Christmas sugarbush, has become one of South Africa's most famous proteas despite its relatively late 'discovery'.

This distinctive protea has unusual pine-needle like foliage which provides a lovely background to its striking large and bright crimson flowers. And, of course when harvested, aristata beckons. It’s simply stunning when mixed in bouquets and arrangements.

Aristata: Welcome Summer Blooms

Protea aristata (aristata = sharp-tipped leaves), was first collected in 1928 near the town of Ladismith in the Cape Province.  Although thought to be common in the Seweweekspoort region, aristata could not be found again until 1953, prior to which it was believed for quite some time that it had become extinct.  Aristata, also known as Ladismith sugarbush, Ambassador sugarbush, Small pine sugarbush and Christmas sugarbush, has become one of South Africa's most famous proteas in spite of its relatively late 'discovery'.

Aristrata provides welcome summer blooms – June through August!  And, this distinctive protea has unusal pine-needle like foliage which provide a lovely background to its striking large and bright crimson flowers.