Praemorsa – Cut-leaf Banksia

We’re turning up the texture with the exquisite Praemorsa or Cut-leaf Banksia!

Wow… texture in this banksia isn’t just limited to the flower, check out the foliage as well! Praemorsa leaves are firm and leathery, with toothed margins and truncated or cut ends (hence the name). The bloom which is often seen in spring consists of hundreds of individual flowers growing out of a woody 10” long and 3” wide spike. And the colors... a wine-red bloom with tips in a blue-green and the grey-green foliage adds even more character to this superb banksia.

After flowering the bloom then turns into a hard cone of follicles that store several winged seeds. The follicles can take years to mature and open, usually needing a fire or a long drying out period. Once seeds are freed, they typically take 30 to 49 days to germinate, and four to five years (plus lots of patience) before you ever see a bloom.

A lovely reminder of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famed words, "Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." And yes, praemorsa’s amazing textures and true beauty are certainly worth the wait!

February Articles of Interest

Petite Wedding Bouquets That Make a Big Statement

While we'll always be big fans of wild, cascading bouquets, we've noticed that more and more brides are opting for smaller-scale arrangements. This is particularly true for brides affected by the coronavirus pandemic, who have had to adjust their wedding plans for a smaller guest list and new budget. These mini clutches can range from a single stem to a collection of tiny blooms. But don't be fooled by their smaller stature—although minute, these posies still make a big impact down the aisle. In fact, we think their small size is what makes them so eye-catching.

Read more here.
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Rare pink flannel flowers bloom in Australia

The blossoms grow in eastern Australia, from the Blue Mountains to north-eastern Victoria. Their seeds can lay dormant for years, requiring exactly the right conditions to germinate – a year after bushfire followed by rainfall.

Read more here.
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The Flower Fields Will Reopen in March,
With New Guidelines

AROUND THE TIME WHEN THE POPPIES... of the Antelope Valley arrive, but a little after the desert's wildflower show begins, and near the moment when wisteria starts to add a purple-lush beauty to some of California's grandest formal gardens, a petal-packed place in Carlsbad gets colorful. Very, very colorful, thanks to vast carpets composed solely Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers, those giant-headed, eye-wowza beauties that pop in an assortment of reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. It's The Flower Fields we're talking about, the venerable attraction that includes opportunities to stroll by the famous cultivated blooms, as well as other events in years gone by, from sunset dining to live music.

Read more here.

January Articles of Interest

Yes, native plants can flourish after bushfire.
But there’s only so much hardship they can take...

In a fire-blackened landscape, signs of life are everywhere. A riot of red and green leaves erupt from an otherwise dead-looking tree trunk, and the beginnings of wildflowers and grasses peek from the crunchy charcoal below.

Much Australian flora has evolved to cope with fire, recovering by re-sprouting or setting seed. However, some plants are sensitive to fire, especially when fires are frequent or intense, and these species need our help to recover.

Read more here.
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The Five Habits of Highly Creative People

You know the one who’s always inspiring? She brings interesting points to light in team meetings, aces every task at hand, and energizes the company with her innovative strategies and ideas. Or maybe the creative person you look up to is an old friend with a serious penchant for interior decoration. It could be your culinary-talented father, a local artist, or your favorite author or motivational speaker. Whoever they are, you're always left marveling at not only the vision, but the orchestration and end result, too.

Read more here.
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Flowers as a Gift are Connecting People Emotionally
and are Straightening their Relationships

People are sharing different kinds of gifts with their loved ones, but flowers are still found to be the most impressive gifts by a study. According to the study conducted by Rutgers University, every gift we offer to someone holds a secret message. The study has also found that the gift we choose, especially flowers, affects both the sender and receiver.

Flowers as a gift are viewed by the receivers as more successful, caring and emotional as compared to the other types of gifts. An exchange of flowers between men and women makes them happy and loving people. The study has also found that flowers emotionally connect two people to understand each other’s feeling.

Read more here.

In the Field: Protea cynaroides – Kings

It’s safe to say we’ve been seeing an abundance of King Protea in bouquets and centerpieces lately. There’s been a little something for every ‘King Connoisseur’… bouquets featuring just a single stem all alone to lavish designs where they’re mixed with an array of awesome blossoms. And we figured if you’re as crazy about kings as we are, you’d want to know a few interesting facts about these chic flowers.

The artichoke-like appearance of the king’s flower-head lead to the name ‘cynaroides’, which means ‘like cynara’… the artichoke. The name does no justice to the beautiful blooms of this protea, which is the largest in the genus. There are over eighty varieties of kings and they're divided into groups according to their leaf type. The leathery leaves vary from large and rounded to small and narrow and their huge flowers can be wide open, almost like a 12” dinner plate or a narrow funnel shape. These flower heads consist of numerous small, tubular-shaped blooms or also called an inflorescence. Their color can range from greenish-white through soft silvery pink to deep red, with each variety having its own flowering time.

King protea are perennial plants that can survive many years in the wild. They also tolerate fires thanks to their thick underground stem filled with numerous dormant buds which starts to sprout shortly after a fire. Fires also assist with drying the cones and releasing seed, while the wind helps spread the seed and seasonal rain triggers germination.

Kings provide a rich source of nectar which attracts birds and insects of all kinds who in return are responsible for pollinating these awesome plants.

An Eastern Spinebill on a King Protea by Greg Miles

New on the Farm: Protea Seeds

Just in time for the spring gardening season, a collection of protea seeds are now available. Ideal for plant enthusiasts and gardeners, these protea, telopea, banksia and leucospermum seeds are prefect for those of you who have been wondering if protea will grow in your gardens. Read on to learn how to cultivate some of our favorites.

Proteas like full sun, ample wind circulation, and acidic, free-draining soil. It is best to stay out of areas where temperatures are known to remain below 28 degrees for an extended period of time.

How to Plant:

1.  Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. 
2. Then sow in a tray of well-drained soil, decomposed granite is ideal. Adding perlite and sand to the seed compost improves drainage. 
3. Once sown, cover the seeds with about 1/4” of sand. 
4. Germination takes 3-4 weeks at around 60-70°F, and up to several months in cooler conditions. Let the germination temperature drop naturally at night. 
5. Transplant young seedlings into a container with well-drained compost being careful to avoid root disturbance. 
6. Seedlings should remain in their container for a year before planting in the garden.

Our selection includes:

Click here to order – Happy Gardening!

CPA Event: Banksia Barbeque

Aren’t banksia amazing? We sure think so, which is why we recently held a ‘Banksia Barbeque’ for protea farmers keen on learning about the intricacies of “bush-fire” seed extraction, and wanting tips on sowing and germination. This California Protea Association (CPA) event was hosted by Dave and Stephanie Baxter at their beautiful farm in Fallbrook.

Mel Resendiz, the CPA President, began by welcoming everyone and thanking the Baxter’s for their hospitality. Diana Roy updated everyone on recent protea marketing opportunities and provided them with a preview of the new CPA poster. Carol Booth introduced new association members and highlighted recent fund raising activities. Ben Gill discussed protea production in South America.

Then on to the BBQ – Mel’s presentation! Most Banksia plants are propagated from seeds and the cones must be more than 16 months old to ensure maturity. If the hard casing, when scratched, is dry and squeaky the seed should be mature.

Banksias have developed different ways of releasing their seeds, but they all require some sort of heat like HOT summer days, brush fires, a torch or as shown here - placed in a barbeque.

Once the Banksia has been roasted for several minutes and allowed to cool, the seeds are removed and are then ready to be planted.

Thanks again to our hosts Dave, Stephanie and their dog Skeeter (seated in front)!

Gum Tree Flowers & Nuts

The gum tree or ‘eucalyptus’ is one of the most recognized Australian plants. It is no surprise that its lush green foliage has become an extremely popular addition to garlands, wreaths, bouquets and even large scale floral displays. However, did you know that many varieties of gum produce attractive flowers as well? Eucalyptus flowers are not typical flowers though, as these showy blooms are made up mostly of anthers and styles, rather than petals. This makes gum flowers much more delicate than many other cut flowers. Usually, these flowers are found in white, pink, yellow, and reddish shades. And, in most species, the buds appear in clusters on a single stem that develops on the axil of the leaves.

The cone-shaped fruits that develop are called gum nuts, which have valves that allow the seeds to be shed. These wonderful nuts come in several shapes and sizes and add unique color and texture to designs.

What to look for:

• Flowers that are 1/2 open and fluffy looking.

• Avoid wilted flowers.

Flower Care:

1. Keep cool and out of direct sun light.
2. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem. 
3. Re-cut at least 1/2” off each stem and place in cold water.
4. Use a preservative as this will keep flowers looking fresh.
5. Replace vase water with fresh preservative.

Fun Facts:

• Also known as gum trees, for the sticky sap that oozes out of the bark.

• The name “Eucalyptus” came from the Greek words, “eu” meaning well and “kalyptos,” meaning covered, referring to the bud cap that initially covers the flower.

• Eucalyptus is valued for its fast-growing wood.

• Eucalyptus trees are among the tallest trees in the world.

• The wood is commonly used to make digeridoos, a traditional instrument from Australia.

• All parts of the plant can be used to make fabric dyes; colours range from yellow and orange through to green, tan, chocolate and red.