Creating a Bountiful Autumn Centerpiece

The vibes your autumn decor gives off depends entirely on what you pair them with. While we typically associate pumpkins with Halloween, they are suitable for so much more. Left whole, they can sit at many angles to give everyone at the table a beautiful view. These shapely gourds are a symbol of abundance, and when cut open, they make excellent containers for seasonal florals and fruit.

Ready to make your own?

Choose a pumpkin with a fresh, healthy stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it won't roll. Cut off the top and set it off to the side. Scoop out all the seeds and pulp. Place a block of floral foam in water and wait until it is completely saturated. Then insert the foam inside the pumpkin, leaving just a few inches between the top surface of the foam and the rim. Insert flowers, foliage, and fruited branches directly into the foam, working all around the perimeter of your pumpkin. In my design, I chose a mix of proteas, grevillea flowers, spray roses, zinnias, chrysanthemum, calla lilies, beautyberry, hanging amaranths, green kumquats, pomegranate, Australian pine, and eucalyptus.

Exploring the Darkside - Leucadendron Ebony

Step into the shadows with us as we explore a fabulous fall Leucadendron, that boosts captivating deep, dark purple-black leaves.

It’s no shock it’s called Ebony or Burgundy Sunset, as its wickedly dark leaves are a distinct feature when compared to the basic green foliage of ‘Safari Sunset’, the species from which it evolved. Dark foliage appears to be all the rage now, so you can’t go wrong with this spectacular variety!

As Ebony’s foliage ages, the bracts that surround the ‘true flower’ turn a deep wine-red delivering stunning sprays of blooms! The best part? Aside from the splendor and outstanding hues, Ebony has real lasting power too. It can last up to a month in a flower arrangement. When paired with protea, banksia and other fabulous florals, Ebony is sure to add an extra touch of pizzazz to any autumn design.

The Protea Attraction - Hummingbirds

Despite being stunning cut flowers, proteas not only add color and texture to floral designs, but they also attract a symphony of nature's nectar-seeking guests like birds, bees, and butterflies. Once you've had the pleasure of observing these pollinators in action, it's only natural to want to see them more often, like my favorite... the hummingbird.

Hummingbirds love proteas thanks to the flower's abundance of both pollen and nectar, especially over the long winter months. It’s fascinating to watch a hummingbird as it darts around from bloom to bloom and the dance it performs is unlike any other bird. Its bright, shimmering colors, rapid flight, and the ability to hover in midair are a few of the traits that make it so unique. During courtship dives a hummingbird can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour and can average speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour. It can rotate its wings in a circle and it's the only bird that can fly forward, backward, up, down, and sideways. Such high-energy movement requires that it feeds every ten to fifteen minutes. These amazing birds bring so much excitement and wonder to the field.

Hummingbirds are most attracted to flowers in shades of red and orange.

Our top 3 Hummingbird-Friendly Proteas

Protea - Sugarbush

The best-known genus of the protea family and the one for which it’s named. These flowers vary in size, shape, color, and form and rely on their showy bracts for visual appeal.

Grevillea Flowers – Bush Lollies

These lollipop-like flowers, also referred to as Bush Lollies, Bush Toothbrush and Spiderman, provide masses vibrant, textural blooms throughout the year. Their popularity comes from their willingness to flower and flower.

Leucospermum - Pincushions

Leucospermum or more commonly called pincushions put all their art into the colors of the flowers themselves as well as the flowing shape of each curving component. These fanciful blooms atop sturdy stems make for colorful rest stops (or landing pads) between flights.

The Latest Floral Inspiration

How Pincushion Protea Flowers Are Grown in California

With their striking colors, intricate forms, and eye-catching textures, pincushion protea flowers are an extraordinary addition to any floral arrangement. These captivating blooms, known for their pin-like appearance and velvety texture, have been capturing the hearts of flower enthusiasts for years.

Read more here.

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The Silver Tree

The genus is named after its most outstanding member, Leucadendron argenteum….known to botanists, gardeners and plant lovers throughout the world as the silver tree, but the early Dutch settlers dubbed it witteboom, literally ‘white tree’. In 1691 the botanist Plukenet used the name, translated into Latin, to describe the witteboom and related plants….Leucadendron, therefore, became the accepted name for this genus…

Marie Vogts, South Africa’s Proteaceae

On that projecting isthmus of land called the Cape Peninsula, at the bottom left hand corner of Africa, there can scarcely be anyone unfamiliar with the handsomest arboreal member of the protea family: silver tree or Witteboom, as it is known in high Dutch and its descendent language, Afrikaans. Always strikingly silver, it is transformed by the hot, drying, gale-force north winds of the cooler months of the year to a gleaming metallic lustre. The glory takes one’s breath away! Even the dry leaves of herbarium specimens retain their sheen, prompting Linnaeus, that first great modern plant namer, to exclaim at his desk in Uppsala, “this tree, the most shining and splendid of all plants.” I wonder if he was lucky enough to see a living specimen; the seeds were certainly available in Holland by then.

Read more here.

7 Protea Wreaths That Showcase Fall’s Bounty

While pumpkins, wheat stalks, and colorful leaves tend to be favorites when it comes to autumn decor, few things say ‘fall’ better than a beautiful wreath. They are incredibly versatile and don't just need to be for doors, they are wonderful displayed on walls and mantles, and even used on the dining table.

Wreaths add to the cozy, welcoming ambiance of the fall. So, be sure to take advantage of the season’s warm hues and interesting textures as they can be an easy way to update your décor and mark the seasonal celebration of autumn.

For a wreath with longevity, proteas are perfect as they look stunning ‘fresh’ but ‘in the spirit of the harvest’, they also dry beautifully and will last for months… maybe even years to come.

Hopefully, this roundup of protea wreaths will inspire you to turn natural elements from your yard or garden, including leaves, sticks, cones, pods, and fabulous florals (like proteas) into unique arrangements. The design possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Growing Proteas

Did you know California is one of five Mediterranean-climate regions on the earth where proteas are grown? It’s true! And since autumn tends to be the ideal planting time… we have a few growing tips for you.

• Plant in a sunny location where the air flows freely around the plant. 
• Planting on slopes or slightly elevated mounds is often beneficial because water runoff decreases drainage problems. 
• Proteas flourish in sandy, acidic, well-drained and rocky soils. 
• Dig a hole twice the size of the pot the plant came in. Be sure to break up the soil that is removed from the hole to soften its texture. 
• Never disturb the soil around the roots. 
• Water deeply once a week for the first two years after planting. 
• Apply mulch like bark or wood chips around the plant (a slight distance from the stem) as it helps control weed growth and keeps the soil cool. 
• Fertilizers are not necessary as proteas grow naturally in very nutrient-poor soils.

Wondering how to prune your protea plants to keep them happy and ensure a bountiful harvest once they’re established? First, be sure to pick the flowers as it’s the best way to keep plants neat and compact. Remove the blooms with a good length of stem, leaving new growth behind. To encourage bushy growth… prune only the flowered stems as the un-flowered stems are next season’s blooms.

Firewood Banksia - Menziesii

Discover the mesmerizing allure of the rugged and yet stunning Banksia menziesii! The flower spike is showy and vibrant, wine-red that becomes mingled with yellow as the bloom matures, and set against a backdrop of chic, twisted grey-green leaves… it’s captivating.

Menziesii is also referred to as Port Wine Banksia or Raspberry Frost due to its amazing color and Firewood Banksia due to its quick burning properties. It typically blooms during autumn and into winter. Each spike is composed of up to 6,000 individual flowers, and yet only a few become filled with seeds. The seeds are enclosed in sacs attached to an indestructible cone until it’s burnt.

This spectacular banksia is thought to have a special flower essence. Australian Aboriginal people would use menziesii in their rituals and ceremonies for its healing capabilities for courage. Courage to help one release pain and to move ahead triumphantly, with renewed energy. This flower essence parallels with The Language of Flowers and the symbol of Protea - Diversity and Courage.

Whether flaunted alone or showcased with other florals, menziesii never fails to put on an amazing display.