Copyright (c) 2010 Nadine Davis

Early Europeans introduced hundreds of species of flowers into Australia without appreciating the beauty of what was already here. They created traditional English gardens requiring water and maintenance. However, as time passed, and with better knowledge of how to propagate these touchy natives, Australian flowers were used more frequently by Flowers Brisbane, until now, they are an inseparable part of our national identity.

Florists quickly saw their potential and began to experiment with different types of containers, unusual placement of larger specimens such as the waratah and banksia, and colour blending, utilising the wide range of colours in increasingly creative ways.

Fast forward to the present day and Australian flowers now hold their own in bouquets and floral arrangements. People ordering flowers will ask specifically for natives, knowing that the end result will be spectacular and contemporary.

There are hundreds of different species of Australian flowers, but not all are suitable for the cut flower market. The most popular species used are Geraldton Wax, Kangaroo Paw, different varieties of Banksia and Waratah, Red or Brown Boronia, Riceflower, Native Daphne, various types of Wattle, the Flannel Flower, Christmas Bush, Yellow Bells and Gymea Lily.

The appeal of Australian flowers in a bouquet or arrangement is due to several factors:

> Flowers like the waratah and banksia, because of their sheer size, make a feature around which all other flowers and foliage can be creatively arranged.

> Colours range through deep reds to bright yellows, delicate blues, purples and a range of muted tones that provide lots of options to assail the visual senses.

> Resilient blooms and foliage which usually last several days longer than the traditional.

> Long, sturdy stems which allow height for the bouquet or arrangement.

> The ability to be just as beautiful and long-lasting as a dried product as they are when fresh.

> Varieties like the banksia are robust enough to be artificially coloured without breakage.

> The versatility and variety of the native foliage used as a focal filler.

> They present well in different styles of containers and their height and shape suit the currently fashionable minimalist displays.

The growing of Australian native flowers for the cut flower market is still relatively young, and new hybrids are being bred and introduced to the market each year. It’s a long way from the days when our forebears walked knee-deep in these spectacular wildflowers, but their increasing popularity with Florists will ensure that these unique and beautiful flowers survive and prosper.