August 2012 - WEDDING FLOWERS
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Truly Tasmanian - The Pineapple Candle Heath


Meet the Pineapple Candle Heath, or Richea Dracaphylla,  a truly Tasmanian flower.  When I first discovered this plant, I thought it looked like it should be a tropical bloom - some type of rainforest rarity that could be feasted on by colorful tropical birds.  But its home is the temperate rainforest slopes of Mount Wellington and other high altitude rainforests - moist and cold, the soil wet with snow-melt and a dense canopy of trees over head.  It is endemic or native to Tasmania.  These flowers have been harvested in the wild, but at Swallows Nest we have some wonderful well established plants that are able to be pruned and trained to produce lovely long stems.  


Pruning these plants is no mean feat!  They are as spiky as they look and very dense.  Gloves are required!  But the effort is worth it when the lovely long stems produce beautiful tall flower spikes.  Flowering time is usually the spring months but we often get flowers here much earlier - July and August.  Flowers can also surprise us at other times of the year, but August is usually when they are really starting to bloom in earnest.   


The spiky leaves, about 20cm long, spiral up the stem and the flower emerges from the crown of the spiral.  These flowers are sometimes called Riceflower, because of the obvious likeness.   The rice-looking part is actually the petals of the flower that are fused together.  They fall off when the stamen in mature.  These petals are grouped together and sheathed by bracts that often carry a pink or red tinge.  


In this picture, you can just see the flower starting to emerge from the spiral of leaves on the stem.  


In this picture, you can see how the bracts surround the petals.  There are some petals peeping out on the left.  The bract will open and eventually fall off.


Richea Dracophylla, or Pineapple Candle Heath are a very architectural flower - a strong bold shape.  But they can also be softened by adding them to other natives.  They are a beautiful and unusual flower - uniquely Tasmanian.  


Tall Red


August is the month that heralds the beginning of spring colour among the Leucadendrons here at Swallows Nest Farm.  This lovely leuco is called Tall Red - an uninspired name for such a wonderful plant, I always think.  It is a selected type of Leucadendron Eucalyptifolium, which is characterised by its profuse, pointy leaves and vigorous growth habit.  It is wonderful as a foliage plant throughout the year, with a lovely red colour and long stems making it very useful.  Sometime in August, depending upon the weather conditions, it starts to sparkle and make itself much more noticeable.  The foliage changes from a rusty red to a pinky, bright red with yellow parts in the areas that get less sun.  Gorgeous lime green cones emerge.  Branches are covered in these flowers making them a beautiful textural cut flower.


In the picture above, you can see the colour variation caused by the level of sun the leaves are getting. The bracts around these cones are creamy with a pink tinge.  The more sun they receive the deeper the red colouring.  Sometimes, the colour will change along a single stem.  There are so many flower cones on each stem that the variation adds to the charm of this plant.


The cones act as pollen presenters and over a period of weeks become yellow as they "present" their pollen.  They look lovely at this stage, like little yellow pom-poms.


This picture shows the lime green of the cones as the stems of Tall Red wait to be put in bunches in the packing shed.  


Tall Red looks fabulous in mixed bunches at this time of the year - imagine how it would be missed in this bunch.  Even though it has lovely long stems, it can also be cut down and the flowers used in box arrangements or posies.  Its multi-flowered stems add texture and colour with a long vase life.  A truly Lovely Leuco!



Spring is in the Air


Spring is just around the corner, and many of the plants are beginning to wake up after their winter rest.  There is a riot of colour among the many types of leucadendrons.  Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring some amazing spring flowering proteaceae but here is a sneak peek!





All of these lovely leucadendrons are late-winter or early-spring bloomers.  They create a mass of colour and texture at this time of year.  I think you'll agree that the effect is wonderfully cheery!


Wedding Flower Bouquets - Learn About the Different Shapes, Sizes & Styles

Wedding Flower Bouquets - Learn About the Different Shapes, Sizes & Styles

http://jrangelella.blogspot.com/The perfect clutch of flowers will have the power to do two things - complement any color and style of wedding dress and help set a joyous mood at every turn. There are thousands of color combinations and a rainbow of hues to select when your planning your nuptials. Arranging gorgeous blossoms into the perfect wedding appropriate bouquet can be done in many different style and sizes. Depending on your dress, the formality of your wedding and your color palette, the size of your bouquet can have an affect on the unique look of your ceremony. Being savvy about your flower bouquet can create an eye-catching and memorable experience for your guests. No matter what type of blossoms are in your bouquets, you can be assured your wedding flowers will enhanced the beauty of your special day. Read on to learn more about the different types of wedding flower bouquets:

Hand-Tied Bouquets
These bouquets have a nature inspired look and are perfect for summer weddings that take place outside, such as in a garden or on the beach. These flower blooms are simply tied together, usually with a fancy ribbon or bow. These wedding flower bouquets are suitable for almost any setting, whether formal or informal. Adding textured flowers such as roses, peonies and chrysanthemum can add an extra elegance to your bouquet. If you are looking for a more personalized hand-tied bouquet, instead of using a ribbon, use meaningful objects such as your mother's old wedding dress, etc. These bouquets are eye-pleasing and classical.

Cascade Bouquets
Cascade wedding bouquets are designed to resemble a "waterfall" of blossoms. Although these bouquets are beautiful to look at, they are usually only complementing to taller brides and dresses with a simpler design. Since the bouquet itself is larger, it is important to balance out the proportions of size and color with your dress. These bouquets are usually filled with flowers such as calla lilies, orchids, stephanotis and long, flowing greenery. The soft accents of green are an excellent backdrop for any other vibrant colors in your bouquet. A cascade bouquet can be striking on it's own!

Posy
These smaller flower bouquets are popular among flower girls and bridesmaids. Tiny flowers such as spray roses, baby's breath and lily-of-the-valley can create cute bouquets for your wedding. Another creative option for the posy flower bouquet is to use a couple larger flowers as focal points to complement your color scheme. These flowers arranged together can make quite a statement at your ceremony! This style of bouquet is perfect for children and has the ability to accompany every dress type. Some more examples of flowers that would work are hyacinths, hydrangeas and multicolored roses.

Over arm
This modern look is elegant and simple, yet extremely beautiful design for any wedding. Over arm bouquets are most commonly seen with long-stemmed flowers such as orchids, calla lilies and roses. These flower buds are your best guarantee because of their sturdy and durable stems. Wrapping these flowers together with a ribbon is also a stylish option. Figure fitting dresses are perfectly complemented with an over arm wedding bouquet. Keep in mind, holding the flowers for long periods of time during photos may make them become heavy - select lighter flowers if this is the case.

Round Flower Bouquet
Round wedding flower bouquets are the most commonly*seen as bridal flowers. Although similar to the posy style bouquet, round bouquets are larger in size and usually contain a collection of various flowers. Using color to your advantage for these bouquets is important - use complementing or contrasting colors to create the biggest visual impact. Any wedding, whether formal or casual, can accompany a round wedding flower bouquet. If fragrance is an important part of your floral design, consider adding sweet smelling roses, lilacs or peonies to your bouquet. Capitalizing on flower texture, color and size, you can be assured to have the most striking bridal flower bouquet your guests have seen!
http://jrangelella.blogspot.com/
A lovely, creative and personal flower bouquet is just as much a part of your wedding day as finding the perfect dress. Selecting blooms based on the style of your dress, the color of your wedding palette and the availability of your flower choices can assure you that your choosing the right flowers - and help you save money at the same time. Your bridal flower bouquet is the glorious finishing touch to radiating the true beauty of your entire wedding. Call on flowers to set the mood and scene for the wedding you have dreamed of since childhood. Knowing the various designs of bouquets can help you select the perfect arrangement of complementing flowers for your wedding day.
The Latest Wedding Flower Trends - Fresh Details For Bridal Bouquets

The Latest Wedding Flower Trends - Fresh Details For Bridal Bouquets

http://jrangelella.blogspot.com/Bridal bouquets have been the mainstay of wedding flowers from the time of antiquity. Brides have carried bouquets since the times of the ancient Greeks when wedding bouquets of herbs were carried to ward off bad spirits. Wedding bouquets continued to evolve through the Victorian age when many flowers were placed in bridal bouquets because of their meaning. These days, the bridal bouquet is still the focal point of wedding flowers and it is undoubtedly every bride's best accessory.

Just as the use of herbs and flowers in wedding bouquets has evolved, so have other details of the bridal bouquet. With fresh new designs for wedding flowers, bridal bouquets are becoming more and more unique and personalized. Wedding flowers are an excellent way to show your style and put some distinctive touches on your wedding ceremony and reception décor.

So, how do you make your bridal bouquet stand out? Read on and discover the most inventive new ideas for bridal bouquets and decide which fresh trend is right for your wedding flowers.

Here's what's new in bridal bouquets:

Monogramming

Monograms are becoming very popular for all aspects of weddings including wedding flowers. The monogram is generally of the groom's last name, but can be a combination of the groom's initials and the bride's initials.

Monograms can be featured with wedding flowers in a few different ways. Bridal bouquets wrapped with ribbon and fabric can display monograms embroidered onto the fabric or sewn onto the fabric with beads or rhinestones. Bouquets can also feature monograms created with wire or piping. Monograms are a great way for brides and grooms to show pride in their family names and add personalization to their wedding flowers.

Different Textures

Today's wedding flowers feature a variety of different blooms and other items that combine together to create exquisite textures that add a bit of the unexpected to bridal bouquets. The simplest way to add varying textures to your wedding flowers is to use several different types and shapes of flowers mixed together. Keeping in mind which wedding flowers are in season for your wedding, choose flowers that compliment each other with different textures. Flowers with varying textures like carnations and roses or spider mums and calla lilies lend contrast to bridal bouquets.

Another way to add a bit of texture to your wedding flowers is to use some non-traditional items in your bouquet. Shells, fruit, pinecones, feathers, leaves and berries are some unconventional items that you can use to add texture to your wedding flowers.

Breakaway Bouquets

A fresh and clever idea in wedding flowers, breakaway bouquets are gaining in popularity for creative brides. Made up of any type of flower, breakaway bouquets appear to be one large bouquet, but are actually composed of three separate bouquets. The bride will carry the large combined bouquet down the aisle and then she'll break the three bouquets apart and they'll be used as other wedding flowers.

Of the three bouquets, one is usually used for the bouquet toss, another is for the bride to keep and the third is for the bride to give as a special gift to a friend or loved one. Breakaway bouquets add a unique touch to traditional wedding flowers.

http://jrangelella.blogspot.com/Bright Colors

Another sweeping trend for wedding flowers is the use of bright colors in bridal bouquets. Though many brides still stick with traditional shades of white and cream for their bouquets, the freshest wedding flowers feature vivid hues like bright orange, hot pink, electric purple and magenta.

Bright colors can easily be used in combination together to make up a bouquet with citrus hues or bold purples and pinks. These colors can also be used alone as a single color bouquet or can be part of a monochromatic bouquet mixed with more muted shades.

As the focal point of the wedding flowers, your bridal bouquet can set the theme for your wedding with the details that you select. Monogramming, funky textures, a creative breakaway option or a splash of vibrant color will give your bridal bouquet just what it needs to be a unique and special part of your wedding.

Thryptomene


Thryptomene is a beautiful Australian native shrub that we grow here at Swallows Nest.  This variety is Grampians Thryptomene, found as the name suggests in the Grampians region in Victoria.  It is extensively picked in the wild there, for the cut flower trade.  We only have a small number of bushes here, but they are well established and very productive. 


In mid to late winter,  the tiny bright pink buds begin to burst into dainty little flowers that erupt between the leaves and cover the length of the branches.  They continue to flower for the next few months.  I think they have the look of snow laden branches at this time of the year.


One of the features of Thryptomene is it's beautiful aromatic smell.  Fresh, clean and foresty, it really lingers.  I love it!  



Thryptomene is long lasting as a cut flower.  It looks great as a filler in a bouquet and adds a fresh scent and a touch of authentic Australian winter.  Look out for it in florists during the cooler months!


Sjaak Hullekes

Lelaki seharusnya menjadi lelaki. I hate people who push boundary with the androgynous cart and try to sell things like skirt and some baju bunga-bunga because as long as you are biologically born with a proper set of zakar and testikel, one should dress and behave like a man. With that say,  Sjaak Hullekes for me defines the modern men so precisely, I just want to wear this.

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Wondering what style of flower bouquets you'll choose for your big day?
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