Looking at our flowers online and the beautiful displays in our florist shops it can be difficult to imagine what they may look like actually growing on a plant or bush. Alternatively if you are lucky enough to see them in their natural environment, it can be hard to conceive how they would look in a stylish flower arrangement.
As an insight into the origin of commercially grown flowers prior to their stems hitting our workshops, we asked farmer suppliers for snapshots of native Australian flowers currently in bloom on their properties. Here is a peek of what these stunners look like on the bush and on the land before being picked for sale to star in the likes of weddings, hotel foyers and dining tables.
Proteas originated in South Africa and are related to Australian natives such as the Waratah, Grevillia and Banksia. The ‘King White’ Protea is the biggest Protea flower of all, with its head growing up to 30cm in diameter. You can also get ‘King Pinks’. The King Whites pictured below were taken on one of our farmer’s properties in Longford, Victoria. Spectacular!
Now here’s a little insight into what King Protea’s can look like when florists get their hands on them….
The waxflower is native to South West Western Australia and its most popular species is the Geraldton Wax. We were lucky enough to receive images from our farmers of their waxflowers currently in bloom in Dandaragan, Western Australia (below). Their dainty little cup shaped petals come in a variety of colours, from white, cream and shades of pink and purple to yellow, apricot, orange and watermelon red.
Waxflowers last for ages and look great either as a filler in flower bouquets or simply on their own. Here are some sweet waxflower bouquets, arrangements and designs featured on our Pinterest board ‘Australian Native Flower Design Inspirations’.
Blushing Brides are part of the Protea family and originated in South Africa. The images below from our farmers in Victoria’s Grampions show what Blushing Brides look like growing on a bush. Their stems can grow between 30 to 60cm in length, and the flower heads display paper white floral leaves surrounded by feathery ‘tufts’ of white to pink flowers. Yum, yum, yum!
It is believed these pretty flowers got the name Blushing Brides because of their traditional use in bridal bouquets in South Africa. Take a look at how these beauties transition from the bush to a bouquet or boutonniere below…
