A Love Letter to Australian Natives

There is a reason our Protea King bouquet outsells roses every February. Australian natives are sculptural, strange and almost impossibly long-lived — many last three weeks in a vase, then dry beautifully in place.

King protea, with its artichoke heart and silver-pink crown, is the anchor of our native work. We pair it with leucadendron for height, banksia for texture and flowering gum for movement.

Natives like a deep vase and very little fuss. Cut the woody stems long and split the base an inch up the middle so they can drink. They tolerate warmth that would wilt a rose in a day — perfect for Sydney summers.

And when the arrangement finally fades, don't throw it out. Hang it upside down for a fortnight and you'll have an everlasting piece that carries the bush into your home all year.