Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies

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Also known as the arum lily, this elegant, trumpet-shaped blossom originated in Africa and symbolizes "magnificent beauty" in the language of flowers. The calla lily's distinctive form has been depicted in art nouveau and art deco works, in addition to 20th-century photography. 

Two types are commonly available: a large-headed variety with a long, smooth stem suitable for tall arrangements or presentation-style bouquets, and a miniature version ideal for small arrangments and boutonnieres. Creamy ivory is the most popular color, but calla lilies also come in yellow, orange, mauve pink and dark purple (a stunning choice for a slightly edgier or cold-weather wedding bouquet).

January Wedding at Quamby Estate

January Wedding at Quamby Estate

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Photography by Doxa Visual

Australia Day long weekend was the date for a beautiful wedding at Quamby Estate.  Natives and proteas were the theme. With the bride being Australian and the groom being from South Africa, it was meant to be!

Quamby Estate

Quamby estate is a beautiful historical homestead near Launceston in the north of Tasmania.  

Quamby Estate

The beautiful rooms create an memorable atmosphere in which to prepare for the ceremony.  

The photographer's photos capture the moody interior light so beautifully.

Photography by Doxa Visual

The gorgeous pictures are by dynamic photography duo Doxa Visual.  They've captured the day sensationally - the bride and groom must be thrilled!

Photography by Doxa Visual

The ceremony was held on the grass under the shade of a huge old tree, with vases of natives sitting on logs at the end of each row of chairs.

Photography by Doxa Visual

The happy couple planned perfectly for the day, and it shows.

Photography by Doxa Visual

The bride wanted a mix of colours combining the South African flowers and Australian flowers.  Many South African flowers are called "natives" here in Australia.  Leucadendrons, Pincushions and Proteas are all South Aftican natives.  Banksias, Waratahs, Grevilleas and Bottlebrushes are all Australian native flowers, but both groups belong to the larger collection of Proteaceae plants.

The South African flowers used were Protea Pink Ice, Protea Repens,  Leucospermum Fountain - an orange Pincushion, and Brunia Albiflora.  The leucadendrons used were L. Argentium, the Silver Tree, Safari Sunset and Jubilee Crown.  

The Australian flowers used were Banksia Speciosa, Banksia Praemorsa, Banksia Marginata and of course, Wattle, our national floral emblem.  The Banksia Speciosa has wonderful long zig-zag leaves that I love to use in bouquets.  

Other ingredients were Leucadendron Jubilee Crown cones,  Echinops or Globe Thistles, and each bouquet had a Silver Tree cone as well as the beautiful silken foliage.  Foliages used were Risdon Peppermint, and Agonis Flexuosa in flower.  

Photography by Doxa Visual

The brides amazing dress is by Gwendolynne from Melbourne.  Check out the website if you want to feast your eyes on some stunning vintage style dresses and lots of real-wedding photos.

Photography by Doxa Visual

The bridesmaid's bouquets were smaller, without the larger Banksia flowers.  

For the groom, a Globe Thistle, Wattle, Agonis flowers and a L. Jubilee Crown cone.  I also used some of those gorgeous zig zag Banksia Speciosa leaves.  

Photography by Doxa Visual

I love that pocket kerchief!  

The grooms attendants had the same ingredients for their boutonnieres, without the Globe Thistle.  

Photography by Doxa Visual

For the reception,  there were fishbowl vases bursting with proteas and natives.  

Photography by Doxa Visual

Photography by Doxa Visual

Little scattered accent vases held sprigs of wattle and other feature flowers.

Photography by Doxa Visual

I think that smile says it all - it looks like a wonderful day full of the best memories.  And, as always, it was such a privilege to be involved in the celebration.

Photography by Doxa Visual

Early Autumn

Early Autumn

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Autumn is a busy time in the flower farm.  There are many proteas that flower over autumn and winter, and the cooler weather also brings a chance for clearing away the excess growth of summer.  There are so many weeds!  But I love the beginning of the cooler weather.  It seems like the plants are invigorated again after being a bit tired and weary at the end of summer.

Protea Pink Ice,  a cut flower industry staple, is absolutely sparkling at this time of year.  Beautiful clear pink flowers with icy white tips and clean, clear foliage are bursting out all over the bushes.  If you're buying these flowers, here is a tip - pick ones that are not quite fully open.  You'll get a much longer vase life.  Most people go for the really big, open flowers, but these are just at the end of their vase life and will quickly discolour and collapse.

Late summer and early autumn also brings out my favourite flower that we grow here at Swallows Nest Farm. Its called Brunia Albiflora.  Its not technically a protea, but it is native to South Africa and is a spectacular, sought after cut flower with beautiful long strait stems topped with stunning glowing silver balls of tightly packed flower buds.  Its very architectural and looks fabulous en masse, or as an accent in a mixed arrangement.

Brunia Albiflora is not a plant you'll find at your local nursery.  They are quite difficult to propagate and as a result its difficult to come by these plants, even as a grower.  I was very excited last year when we managed to get hold of some plants from Victoria and so we have dramatically increased our future production of these rare and beautiful flowers.  I can't wait!

Brunia's silvery balls will begin to burst into tiny rings of flowers at this time of the year.  Each ball will begin flowering in a ring around the outer edge of the ball and slowly, the flowers will open inwards until the whole ball is covered in tiny flowers.  Some people prefer the plant before the flower comes out, others like it both ways.

I always like to have some of the current season's flowers on my windowsill in the kitchen, as a reminder of whats going on outside.  I could tell you I'm doing experiments in vase-life,  but really I'm just enjoying the produce!

Whatever you do, if you are lucky enough to come by some of these flowers, don't throw them out when they are past their best.  They make spectacular dried flowers and keep for years.  You don't need to do anything fancy with them.  Just take them outside and strip off the tiny needle-like leaves so the stalks don't shed.  Then they are good to go in a vase again for a dried flower arrangement.