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Winter Inspirations

When the temperature drops from the gorgeous moderation of Autumn into the deep dark depths of brrrr,….we tend to rug up, and hibernate venturing outdoors a lot less and living out our daily lives within the comforts of our heated homes/offices.

For this reason alone, it is vitally important to dress our homes and bring the outside in with fresh flowers and plants, making our home into the sanctuary we desire.

The great thing about winter is that we can often enjoy longer vase life (as long as the heater isn’t sitting next to the vase!) and immerse ourselves in the fragrance that many winter blooms bring; think hyacinth, johnquils, erlicheers etc.

Some of our favourite winter blooms:

Tulips

Image; National Geographic

The tulip is a perennial bulb that traditionally flowers from winter- spring. A number of species and many hybrids are grown in gardens or as plants. Tulips typically have 2-6 strap shaped leaves depending on the species, with a single flower arising from the centre. Tulips continue to grow after being cut, and are orientated by the sun. The direction of the growth will change and move as the sun moves throughout the day, resulting in a sometimes wayward display of crazy untamed blooms in a vase. I love this, but some may find it frustrating! 😛

The best way to control this, is to cut them short and keep them in a smaller thinner vase so they appear more upright.

Hellebores

Image: Garden Coach Pictures

Hellebores are also known as the ‘Winter rose’ or the ‘Christmas rose’ (as they originate in the Northern hemisphere where Christmas takes place within the cooler months) however oddly, they are not related to the Rose at all.

Hellebores are favoured by gardeners as they are frost resistant and evergreen, and of course because they provide a beautiful display throughout winter and spring. The Hellebores are available in a wide variety of colours ranging from the traditional cottage garden variety pure white blooms, through to pink, red flushed, maroons and purple. There is also the ‘Stinking Hellebore’ with is drooping pale pistachio green bell flowers.

Johnquils

Image: Moosey’s Country Garden

Narcissus johnquilla (johnquill/rush daffodil) is a flowering bulb that is native to Spain and Portugal. It has long rush long leaves, hence the name ‘rush daffodil’. It bears up to 5 fragrant heads of flowers, which have been cultivated since the 18th century for its oil, used today in many modern perfumes. They do not have a long vase life, and as they are poisonous to other flowers,  it is not recommended that they are mixed with other blooms in a vase, as they will shorten the vase life of those flowers also.

Hyacinth

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Image: Zastavki

Hyacinths are winter and spring flowering bulb that is characterised by long, narrow leaves that are folded lengthwise. They are a highly perfumed bloom that has flowers growing in dense clusters along the length of the stem. The common hyacinth (Hyacinthus Orientalis) has blooms that open into star shaped flowers, and should not be confused with Muscari Botryoides, The Grape Hyacinth.

Hyacinths are available in a variety of colours including white, cream, lemon, pale pink, hot pink, mauve, violet, blue and green.

Cymbidium orchids

Image: Image Juicy

Cymbidium orchids slowly begin their season in late Autumn, but are readily available and utilised throughout the winter months, with greater variety available in the colours and size of the blooms. The Cymbidium (or boat orchid) can have a bloom diameter of between 5-10cm, and are available in every colours from white to green, yellowish-green and cream, yellow, brown, pink, red, orange and even black. The blooms last about ten weeks making them a fantastic value cut flower.

Some varieties are known to have a fragrance, but most notable is the fact that Cymbidiums can withstand cold temperatures as low as 7˚ C, even lower for short periods making them a hardy variety of flower for growers.

Even for the most uncreative people, it is easy to decorate your home with Cymbidiums. Use a large torpedo shaped vase and place a simple green monsteria or some doddavine at the base, now place the Cymbidium stem within the vase, completely enclosing the flower spike.

Blushing Bride

Image: Hargraves Nursery

Blushing Bride (Serruria florida)  is a species of Protea, endemic to South Africa. It is known as Pride of Franschhoek.

Blushing Bride flowers have papery white floral leaves, surrounding feathery tufts of white to pinkish flowers. Flowers are white/cream or pink. ‘Sugar ‘n’ Spice’ is a well-known variety with pink flowers and deep, rose pink stripes on the white bracts (floral leaves).

With its muted colour palette, it is often a bloom favoured by brides having ceremonies between June- November, and it is believed that the plant received its name because it was traditionally used in bridal bouquets in South Africa.

Blushing Bride grows well in Australia in plantations as the climate is similar to its native South Africa. It also grows well in Israel and the US.

Kale

Image: A Colorado Courtship

Many varieties of kale and cabbage are grown for their ornamental leaves, which are brilliant white, red, pink, lavender, blue or violet in the interior of the rosette. Ornamental kale is as edible as any other variety. Kale is a vegetable in the species Brassica Oleracea, which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, and brussell sprouts.

Kale can be utilised in a variety of way as the blooms are grown in a variety of sizes. Smaller rosettes are ideal for bridal bouquets and buttonholes or smaller vase arrangements. The larger rosettes can be used in grouped frontal arrangements or in eye catching corporate displays.

Be warned! As ornamental kale is a type of cabbage, the water can quickly start to smell so we recommend changing the water daily.

Poppies

Image: McKenzies Seeds

I don’t know many people who don’t love poppies. With their vibrant colour and instant artistic appeal, it is hard to fault them. With colours from white through yellow and orange, to pinks, reds, maroons and deep crimsons. Their tissue like delicate blooms consists of two layers, the outward layer; 2 dark furry sepals (which drop off as the bud opens) and the inner layer; 4  (sometimes 5 or 6) brightly coloured petals. The buds are ‘nodding’ or bent slightly downwards.

Poppies do not like a vase full of water, so an inch or two at the base of the vase is optimal. You will also notice that the base of the stems is darker in colour as they are scolded before sale. If you cut this section of the stem off to display them in a shorter vase, we recommend firstly scolding them again before placing them in a vase.

Wowzers! Who knew winter had so much to offer!? For a person who thrives in summer and relishes the hot sticky humidity that the beginning of the year brings, I am like a fish out of water in these colder months, but, after taking a moment to appreciate all the pretty things I get to play with, I may very well change my mind….

Til next time

Fwf x

 

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