Referred to as Silver Tree because its soft, elliptical leaves (which remain on the trees for years giving it evergreen status) are covered with hairs that look amazingly like silver in the sunlight and they shimmer in the wind. These trees can reach up to forty feet in height.
You don't know whether it is a male or a female until the day it flowers and shows off with large, pure silver egg-like cones (female) or yellow pollen surrounding small silver buds (male). The Silver Tree relies on wind for dispersing its seeds instead of having to attract birds or other dispersers. Each fruit looks like a small nut and is equipped with a "parachute". Once the seed is freed by strong winds, it can travel a considerable distance thanks to its design.
Silver Tree branches are stunning when used in arrangements and its individual leaves are ideal in corsages and boutonnieres.
Leaves can be show-offs in their own right, especially during autumn months. Variegated Leucadendron Jester does that every time. When we place stems at the base of an arrangement, they become the attraction, stealing glances from the protea. You can see why it is so named as it definitely sports colors of scarlet, green and cream. Its other names, Safari Sunshine and Katie’s Blush make a delightful reference to all its colors and is a gesture to it being kin to Safari Sunset.
Ivanhoe boasts foliage that is so long lasting, usually out living every fresh flower in a centerpiece. Bursting with color, texture and volume, this extremely popular species of the Australian genus of Grevillea is a hybrid cultivar. It has beautiful serrated and deeply cut foliage with deep green leaves and silver undersides, while new growth is a bronze color.
Varying colors of eucalyptus leaves when neatly displayed on a tabletop can serve as a textured table runner or garland. In wreaths, eucalyptus emits its own kind of botanical magic as it adds a light lacy touch. Eucalyptus foliage is available in lots of wonderful shapes and sizes – long and thin, oval and round, feathery, with cones, pods and seeds– the varieties are endless!
These gifts of nature truly stir our imagination and keep us connected to the earth.
With all due respect to pumpkins and chrysanthemums, fabulous foliage is what really gets us excited about fall each year! From leucadendron to grevilleas, from acacia to eucalyptus, we simply can’t get enough of the season’s fresh botanicals. Looking for color and texture?
Foliage adds so much volume, color and texture to arrangements, bouquets and displays. Leaf colors come in a kaleidoscope of shades ranging from yellow-green to gray-green and silvery shades, to blue-green and bronze, burgundy and red hues. And, there are even variegated patterns of green and yellow well as red and green. When it comes to texture, foliage is available in lots of shapes and sizes – long and thin, oval and round, lacey or feathery, with cones, pods and seeds– the varieties are endless! These plants truly stir our imagination and keep us connected to the earth.
The autumn harvest is underway. Be sure to relish the season and make it a time to rediscover these gifts from Mother Nature!
