11.07.11

• Sunflowers
• Freesias
• Cymbidiums

As I go around visiting flower retailers, I always get asked to write about different flowers, depending on the amount of queries they have had. Sunflowers being a bright cheerful flower that makes us forget winter was one of these. Lately freesias also tend to be top of the list as they not only smell fantastic, but they have started appearing more and more in bridal bouquets.  I had to write about Cymbidium Orchids as not only are there so many around this year, but these are really versatile as well.

Sunflowers

One of the florists has had a few queries on Sunflowers as to their availability. So thought I would write about these gorgeous flowers. You can always tell when they are in their prime growing season, as the sunflowers in the shops are huge. They are available most of the year, however they do drop down in size, so when the colder weather is around they don’t grow as big. Also they generally disappear from the markets during the coldest month, and pop back up again as it starts to get warmer. Currently there is still some around but they tend to be few and far between, and they are still gorgeous, but smaller than your big summer sunflowers.

Freesias

For spring flowers these have to be my favourite, they are not only gorgeous, but they smell fantastic too.  Lately they have been appearing as bridal bouquets in a few bridal magazines, and you can see why, the white ones are lovely, and there is one called Honeymoon which is a gorgeous soft pink.  When I make up bouquets to take to friends places I love including freesias, as they add fragrance and texture to a bouquet, that lifts it from being a homemade bouquet to something a bit more special. For me I love growing Freesias in the garden, but that’s where they stay, as there is nothing better than walking around your garden smelling freesias.

Cymbidiums

This year the export market has changed, so our local market has benefited from all these Cymbidiums that in previous years would have been flying off to Asia and beyond. For this reason you don’t have to look far to find some of these, I have seen them in most flower shops I have been to. The colours range from greens to yellows through to burgundys and pinks. What amazes me about these is how stunning they look in bouquets, and seeing how stunning they look in a bouquet has made me look at these with new eyes.

If there are any flowers that you want to know about either drop me a line via the email link above or jump onto our Facebook page and ask me there.