Blushing Bride Flower (Everything You Need To Know About Serruria Florida Protea!)
G’day green thumbs!
If you’re like us you would have fallen in love with the Blushing Bride protea at first sight!
Blushing Bride (Serruria Florida) is often mistaken for an Australian Native but it is actually a South African native flowering shrub and part of the Protea family.
It is widely recognised for its stunning display of delicate pink and ivory flowers.
Blushing bride flowers last a long time as cut flowers which also makes them one of the most popular protea varieties for DIY wedding flowers and bridal bouquets.
Blushing Bride plants grow well in moderate-temperate climates in well-draining soil making them a perfect plant for our sandy soils in the south-west of Western Australia.
We have had great success with our Blushing Bride protea in our garden and when it blooms it is absolutely stunning.
Read on for everything you need to know about the impressive Blushing Bride flower.
Table of Contents
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What Is A Blushing Bride Protea?
Serruria Florida, commonly known as Blushing Bride, is a member of the protea family. They grow well in full sun and in well-draining soil. This makes them a perfect addition to many Australian gardens.
They produce large exotic looking flowers with a soft and dainty appearance. They most often appear in baby pinks, white and ivory, however some can produce flowers with darker pink features.
Their stunning display of long-lasting flowers which typically bloom in winter and spring make them one of the most popular protea plants in Australia.
What Does A Blushing Bride Symbolize?
Are you a romantic at heart? Look away now, you might shed a tear!
The Blushing Bride flower symbolizes love and resilience. This sentimental meaning makes it a popular wedding flower. (It also looks like a wedding dress!)
There is an old tale that says when a man was about to propose to his girlfriend he would wear a blushing bride flower in his lapel. Would you pick up on that little clue?
Is Blushing Bride An Australian Native?
No, Blushing Bride is not an Australian Native. It is a relative to the Protea plant and is native to South Africa. It was first discovered in the Fransch Hoek Mountains in South Africa.
Although it is not an Australian Native it grows well here. They grow in many protea farms across Australia including our favorite local one, Yelverton Protea Farm.
Blushing Brides don’t like super cold or wet conditions so are best placed in full sun, in well-draining soil.
Did you know there are actually NO Australian Native Proteas? Proteas and Banksias are a part of the Proteaceace family. It is a common misconception that some of the Protea varieties are native to Australia.
How Do You Care For A Blushing Bride Plant?
There’s a few very simple ways to care for your Blushing Bride plant.
- Position it in full sun.
- Plant it in well-draining, loose or sandy soil.
- If you need assistance with drainage consider planting it on a mound or elevated surface.
- Prune them back after flowering to ensure good growth next season.
- If it’s too cold or frosty, consider bringing them inside for a couple days (if possible).
- If your climate is very cold and wet, you can grow them in a container or pot.
How To Propagate A Blushing Bride Plant
You can grow Blushing Bride proteas from seed. They are best planted in summer or autumn and will take approximately 3-4 weeks to start germinating.
To propagate from cuttings you will need to do the following:
- Take tip, stem and heel cuttings in summer
- Apply hormone to encourage rooting to semi-hardwood cuttings
- Provide misting and bottom heat
- You should find cuttings will propagate within a month
If that’s a little more complex than what you’re after you can always buy small but established plants from your local protea farm or nursery.
How Long Do Blushing Bride Flowers Last?
Blushing brides flower annually from July – September in Australia.
It is so nice to have such beautiful blooms in a winter garden. As cut flowers they last approximately ten days if they are kept in a cool, dry area and their water is changed frequently.
Cut the stems at around 30cm with sharp secateurs and simply place in a vase with potable water.
The common downfall of blushing brides as cut flowers is that the stem weakens quickly meaning it does not continue to hold the flower upright and it can droop. Most other proteas will last longer as cut flowers.
Is Blushing Bride Toxic?
No, Blushing Brides are not toxic.
They are safe to handle and to have in your house and garden. Blushing bride flowers however are very delicate and subject to easy damage so it is recommended you handle them with care for the plants’ sake, not yours.
Can You Grow A Blushing Bride Indoors?
Yes, you can! Many people don’t realize that Blushing Bride plants actually grow really well in pots or containers.
This is because you can ensure the soil is well-draining.
They also like a low PH soil so you can easily monitor this in a pot or container.
And, as we mentioned above. They really don’t like too much moisture or cold! So if they are in a pot you can protect them by bringing them inside for a couple days if needed.
If you are intending to grow them inside full time, ensure you position them in a place where they will still receive full sun.
Common Problems With A Blushing Bride
They are susceptible to the Root Pathogen, Phytophthora. For this reason it is best not to disturb the root system once planted.
The pathogen will infest the roots via any damaged areas and potentially will kill the plant.
The stems that hold the florets are susceptible to an infection called Botrytis. This means the stems weaken and can not hold the flowers upright.
They dry out quickly. This could also be a positive if you’re wanting dry flowers!
Blushing brides are delicate flowers and plants, despite growing well in Australia they do need to be handled with care to ensure a long life, filled with beautiful flowers.
Where Can You Buy Blushing Bride Plants?
Across Australia there are many Protea plantations where Blushing Brides are successfully grown. Most often these plantations will offer protea plants for sale.
We recommend finding somewhere as local as possible to you as this will mean the climate and soil type should be similar.
This will give you the best opportunity to grow your blushing bride plant successfully in your home garden.
There are a few things to look out for when buying blushing brides
- Avoid yellow or blackening leaves
- Avoid moist or black stems
- Look for vibrant pinks and clear, delicate white and ivory blooms
- When purchasing cut flowers look for a bunch with 50% of the buds still closed
How To Dry Blushing Bride Flowers
It is easy to dry blushing bride flowers and they make a beautiful addition to a DIY wedding bouquet. Here are some simple steps to follow.
- Cut the flower when it is in full bloom
- Remove all the leaves from the stem
- Tie the stems (about 30cm) with twine or an elastic band
- Hand upside down (so the stems dry straight) in a cool, dry area like a shed or pantry
- Handle carefully as they have a delicate, papery texture when dried
So, there you have it folks
Everything you need to know about the stunning Blushing Bride Protea.
Representing love and resilience and blossoming with beautiful delicate flowers in our winter and spring.
If you have a Blushing Bride in your garden it will be a talking point amongst friends and family and will make wonderful cut flowers for gifts.
Given that this beautiful plant is critically endangered why not add it to your garden so that we can keep propagating, growing and gifting it to those we love.
The blushing bride flower is mesmerizing. Plant one today, you won’t look back!
So, Let’s Get Digging!