Biophilia – The Nature Attraction

There’s no doubt we’re all born with the desire to connect to nature! This deep-rooted attraction to the outdoors is called biophilia a term is derived from the Greek words for “life” and “love” making its precise translation “love of life.” Biophilia is more than just an idea, it has been found to support both physical and mental health. Since the average the person spends more than 75 percent of their life indoors, establishing a biophilia environment would have significant results.

This explains why flowers and plants can instantly invigorate your mood and lift your spirits. The calming qualities of nature can be enjoyed through soothing colors + interesting textures. And there are plenty of ways to satisfy your nature craving, and we know just how to help you bring the outside in.

As the human population grows and access to nature becomes limited, incorporating nature into your home and work environments becomes more and more important. Regular exposure to natural elements supports longevity and helps ensure that future generations will maintain an affinity with nature as well.

Labor of Love: Valentine’s Day

Embracing the land that brings us together !

On February 14th, when you are celebrating the person or people in your life that make your heart skip a beat, we’ll be celebrating our farm and farmworkers, that pulled this special day together for us and give us all a shared purpose.

For this very reason, our farm is a gift of love and a labor of it, too. It isn’t easy work, harvesting flowers and foliage on the steep hillside of Rainbow (rain or shine), but it’s noble work and it gives you that feeling that nothing else in the world can. A feeling of contentment that comes from putting your efforts into nature and the land… only to watch it flourish and grow, brighter and better than you left it last.

The beauty of flower farming is something that we hope to enjoy for years to come. Think of it like a love note, sown together with soil, plants and a whole lot of passion. In the dead of winter, Valentine’s Day brings us a bounty of gorgeous florals to be grateful for and the best part, it’s only a pit stop as we approach the arrival of spring.

Proteas: The Myth and The Meanings

Dating back approximately 300 million years, Proteas are one of the oldest families of flowering plants on the planet. It is believed that the protea genus originated on the super-continent Gondwana. When the continent eventually split, they were spread primarily across Australia and South Africa.

Proteas were named after the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology, who was the prophetic old man of the sea and shepherd of the sea's flock. Proteus protected the seals of Poseidon on the island of Pharos, near the mouth of the Nile, and was able to adopt any shape he wished. He knew all things - past, present, and future and disliked sharing his knowledge. If you wanted to consult him, you had to surprise him during his siesta and tie him up. Even when caught, he would try to escape by assuming many different shapes. If you were able to trap Proteus, he would return to his original shape, answer your questions, and plunge back into the sea.

Because of the intriguing myth that it comes with Proteas, and their unique charm, the family is known to symbolize extraordinary beauty, embracing diversity and individuality + the courage to stay true to oneself.

Diversity… Named after the god Proteus, it’s no wonder that the proteas symbolize diversity. It’s also associated with social unity and accepting one’s individuality. After all, they’re unique in so many ways, and can be found in many colors, hues, textures, shapes and sizes.

Courage & Resilience… The fact that proteas have existed for so long, thrive in extreme geographical areas and can endure harsh weather conditions - even wildfires, makes them the perfect symbol for strength, resilience and courage.

Transformation & Change… Proteas often represent change, transformation and hope, since the plant amiably restores itself after severe wildfires.

Beauty and Individuality… This family also 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. The flower’s unique appearance is often perceived as a symbol of distinctive beauty, individuality and courage to stay true to oneself.

Longevity… Dating back 300 million years, Proteas are among the oldest flowers we know. This link associates it with longevity and long life.

June Articles of Interest

The Unconventional Beauties Whose Time Has Come

Proteas are all about flower power and staying power. From a lineage of some of the oldest of plants on earth dating back to a time before dinosaurs became fully evolved, proteas, with their prehistorically edgy and unconventional appearances, are flourishing in the cut flower industry today.

Demand for them by the floral trade has risen in the past 20 years from near obscurity to being must-haves in bouquets and arrangements for weddings, special occasions, holiday decorations and personal gifts of appreciation and love.

Read more here.
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Banksia, Banksia

I don’t know what it is, but I am drawn to plants that are popular with florists. Could be that these plants have a strong constitution, usually have unique shapes and forms, or proudly pronounce their pretty petal power. One example is the under-the-radar Banksia family. You may not know these plants by name but if you hang around floral shops, you’ve definitely seen them and said, “Oh, those are expensive but cool looking flowers!”

Please keep reading to learning more about Banksia:

Read more here.

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Slow Flowers Journal – American Flowers Week 2021

This year marks our sixth Botanical Couture collection for American Flowers Week. With 25 looks created to date, and recovering from the challenges of 2020 and the global pandemic, we are thrilled to share one dozen new wearable fashions showcased in the 2021 collection! What is the point of this Botanical Couture series? Is it frivolous? Yes! Is it strategic? Yes! By presenting flowers as fashion, photographed with editorial styling to tell a story, the American Flowers Week campaign shines a light on the talented growers and designers who are part of the Slow Flowers Movement. Moreover, it changes what we think of flowers. No longer just a perishable item to capture a sentiment in time, perhaps the flowers, foliage, foraged botanicals, and natural elements you see in these pages will shift and expand your thinking. With flowers transformed as art or sculpture, as fashion and beauty, as a symbol of the human desire to connect with nature, there is much more to each bloom than one might imagine.

Read more here.

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Take It Tropical

“To me, the colorful tropical flowers that bloom in warmer climates symbolize sunny days, sandy beaches, and island vibes.”—Jessica Cohen

For the vase, Cohen chose a blue-green glass vessel reminiscent of sea glass and ocean views. Then for the flowers, she chose bold, exotic blooms such as protea, pincushions, and beehive ginger. Finally, for a playful touch, she added gloriosa lilies and craspedia, a sphere-shaped flower covered in tiny yellow flowers. The vibrant result makes a perfect centerpiece for a tropical-themed party or a “just because” gift to brighten someone’s day.

Read more here.

It’s Not Always About the Flowers

Step aside flowers. The most interesting designs do not always rely on beautiful blooms to grab our interests. Instead, it is the foliage that win the applause. We love the remarkable array of shapes and sizes that are found in nature, from long, thin, oval, round, lacey, feathery and serrated. These wonderful botanicals add volume, texture and height to decor. And when it comes to color, most foliage is green, simply because all photosynthetic plants rely on chlorophyll for energy. Green is considered a neutral color and can often be left out in planning a color scheme. There are many different shades of green - from light and dark hues, blue and silvery tones, as well as variegated varieties. Matching the right foliage to colorful flowers can have a subtle but very powerful impact.

Today, we’ve embracing fabulous foliage.

Australian Pine

Banksia Integrifolia

Causurina

Diosmafolia – Honey Myrtle

Eucalyptus Blue Gum

Eucalyptus Silver Dollar

Grevillea Ivanhoe

Grevillea Hookeriana

Hakea

Honey Bracelet

Olive

Pepperberry

Wooly Bush

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.

September Articles of Interest

A horticulturist's guide to Australian native plants

Why natives? Well that’s our specialty at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and we are here to share what we know about native plants, encourage home gardeners to grow them and celebrate their unique beauty with the world.

The horticulture team at the Garden carefully look after the incredibly diverse native plants that are found across the woodlands, grasslands, rainforests, horticultural displays and new seedlings in the Nursery - encompassing 416 hectares of land.

Read more here.
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CA GROWN proclaims October
as Farmer and Farmworker Month

CA GROWN has announced that the first-ever California Farmer and Farmworker Month will be recognized in October. It is a fitting tribute in a most challenging year.

When COVID-19 hit, farmers, farmworkers and the entire food and ag value chain moved swiftly and effectively to redirect supply lines from foodservice to retail and on-line platforms where possible. They increased contributions to food banks to avoid waste at a time we faced a substantial increase of need. They learned on the fly, securing personal protective equipment (PPE) and implementing operational and scheduling changes to keep workers safe. No segment of our society has handled the abrupt disruptions flawlessly, but through it all, agriculture has maintained an adaptive, creative, can-do approach.

Read more here.
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30 Orchid Bouquet Ideas for Brides and Bridesmaids

Show-stopping arrangements to carry down the aisle.

Orchids are one of the most popular wedding flowers, and for good reason. “They’re versatile and make a big impact in bouquets and other floral designs,” says Drew Rios of Roque & Fox Floral Co. in Los Angeles.

Another reason? Orchids come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, making it easy to incorporate them into weddings of every style. That said, some varieties are more popular than others. “Phalaenopsis orchids and cymbidium orchids are hands-down favorites of many brides," Rios says. "Their front-facing forms provide an eye-catching moment in a bouquet.”

Read more here.

May Articles of Interest

A Blushing Bride on Your Wedding

Protea Blushing Bride is one of the most sought after wedding flowers. These are truly one of a kind. Think of a tropical peony, and you get the protea Blushing Bride, which is actually a member of the Proteaceae, endemic to South Africa. Some call this beauty serruria Florida.

Pointed petals that range from ivory-white to pale green to pale pink, open to reveal a blush center, hint the name, Blushing Bride. Combine with cymbidiums and spider chrysants for a tropical bouquet or combine with ranunculus and orlaya flowers for a romantic bouquet.

Read more here.
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The Prototypical Protea

There are stunning flowers, and there are stunning flowers. The protea, also known as the sugarbush, belongs to the latter category. You’ve probably seen these whimsical flowers in stylish bouquets and centerpieces, where their unusual beauty draws you in for a closer look. There are more than 1,500 species of protea, which is native to New Zealand, Australia, South America, and South Africa (stateside, they’re grown in California and Hawaii). King Protea, the largest, is so bulbous, so heavy, it’s a wonder it doesn’t just tip right over.

Read more here.
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Pick of the Proteas

Proteas have existed for over 300 million years, making them one of the oldest groups of flowering plants in the world. Despite their ancient roots, they look beautifully modern in any garden. They’re also low care, make great cut flowers, are bird attracting and share the same care needs as our own Aussie natives. Discover the most popular protea varieties as well as their South African cousins - leucadendrons, leucospermum and serruria - below.

Read more here.
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Benefits of Having Flowers and Plants at Home

Certainly, we all like to receive flowers and be able to decorate each of our spaces, or even with plants, both for its delicate beauty or for its aroma, but did you know that not only serve as decoration? Having flowers or plants has many benefits, and of course when you know you will try to have them in your home and work more frequently.

Read more here.

In the Field: Protea Grandicolor

The protea fields are more colorful this fall thanks to 'Grandicolor’.
A cross of P. grandiceps and P. aurea, this hybrid cultivar from Australia combines features from both parent plants in a unique combination. The greenish-cream bracts, which deepen to tan at the base, have a delicate pinkish rim and conspicuous hairs like the grandiceps and surround rusty-red centers. The egg-shape foliage is small and leathery with a silvery-green hue and the stems straight and upright like the aurea. Grandicolor produces dainty, medium sized blooms off and on from autumn through spring.