A visit to the Australian National Botanic Gardens www.anbg.gov.au today got me thinking about all the amazing native plant materials available from wholesalers for bouquets and arrangements. Even in the depths of winter there were funky colours and shapes everywhere. Gum leaves, gum blossom and gum nuts (seeded gum) are all favourites of mine year-round to compliment roses, but there's a whole spectrum of shapes, textures and the most amazing colours out there to use.

   

  

  

Gardeners will already know Kangaroo Paw, Paper Daisies, Geraldton Waxflower and lots of varieties of Banskia, but also readily available are Flannel Flower, Ericas, Waratah, Boronias, Tea Tree and even Sturts' Desert Peas and Christmas Bells at the right end of the year!

Add some twisted vine, branches or chunky leaves and you have an intriguing and unique arrangement. Following are some native-based creations of mine over the years - 

      

      

   

In my opinion the best grower/wholesaler by fa country mile is Craig at Eastcoast Wildflowers (Sydney) http://www.eastcoastwildflowers.com.au/events.htm

Also, in my opinion - the best photographer of native flowers and plant materials - Gary Heery (pics below)

http://www.garyheery.com/photographer/projects/ 

      

    

    

Enjoy! 

XNP

late breaking news

Well...this was breaking news...a few days ago! From the Canberra Times on Monday 13 June.

It is always a bit startling to see yourself in the paper, but I took consolation in the fact that all our accessories matched! Pictured with the lovely Markus Gibson-Huck and Sara Freeman.

A very unexpected addition of one of my pieces in the top border of the article too, though more unexpected was the reference to Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Whilst it certainly wasn't a conscious influence in this recent work, those who know me can vouch that I definitely have a soft spot for gumnut babies and all the creatures of May Gibbs' imaginings.

I love them almost as much as I love her former home Nutcote - the dreamy 1920s house and garden overlooking the harbour from its gently sloped hillside posi in Neutral Bay.

 Now open as an historic house museum www.maygibbs.com.au , Nutcote features the trowelled render finish, open porticos and shuttered windows which were elements of the fashionable Mediterranean style of the time. And of course all of May Gibbs' tools of the trade, still in situ for the voyeurs among us.

If May was alive today and perusing my portfolio for wedding flowers, I like to think that this would be her pick - one of my all time favourites - a wild and cascading bouquet of roses, gum blossom, flannel flowers and vine, finished off with the most incredible frosty-looking macrocarpa gum nuts.

Good night, sleep tight...dont let the big bad banksia men bite!