This is Australia, a land abundant with unique plant life and animals. Our homeland can offer us so much that it’s only natural to want to incorporate parts of this beautiful country into our wedding ceremonies. Instead of forking over the cash for expensive foreign flowers to decorate your wedding, you may want to consider the beauty available to you outside your doorstep. Here to guide you through this, the editor of Melbourne Wedding + Bride, Robin Harper, sits down with the lovely Nicole Cleary, the owner and lead florist of My Botanic Life Floral Design, to discuss the ways in which native Australian flowers can be weaved into your wondrous wedding day. Together, we will explore the types of native flowers often used in weddings and how they can offer layered meaning and thoughtfulness to your special day. So sit back, relax, and let’s see whether the spirit of Australia is something you’re looking for.
With each Australian region having its own distinct range of flora, what makes these flowers unique is their ability to adapt and flourish in our country’s harsh landscape, resulting in a range of fascinating adaptations. Their beauty is hard to find anywhere else in the world, partly due to our isolation from other landmasses. Each one plays an important role in our country’s delicate ecosystem. The kangaroo paw, with its long, tubular flowers, are perfectly adapted for pollination by birds, and can be recognised by their unique paw-like shape. Another example is the Sturt’s Desert Pea, a flower that has adapted to withstand the arid conditions of the Australia desert. Its long taproot allows it access to water deep underground and is known for its vibrant red colour.
Our Native Beauties
Having loved them since she was a young girl visiting the local florist with her grandmother, flowers have always played a huge role in Cleary’s life. When at the local florist, she and her grandmother would go over all the names of the flowers and discuss each one. “My grandmother’s love of gardening certainly became my own love as well,” says Cleary. With a certificate of floristry and a diploma of horticulture under her belt, Cleary has a wealth of knowledge to share with us when it comes to native Australian flowers.
What defines a native bouquet is self-explanatory: it originates from the lands in which we come from. “A native bouquet is a bouquet that is traditionally made from native flower elements that are native to Australia,” says Cleary. She continues, “Although technically speaking, we have some natives that are shared with other countries. For example, proteas are also native to South Africa.” For those unfamiliar, a protea is a very unique-looking flower with pink or red bracts surrounding its exterior with a dense cluster of flowers in the centre. They’re quite a popular choice for a bouquet if you’re wanting to go native for your wedding.
Other popular choices for bridal bouquets, as recommended by Cleary, are: waratahs, Geraldton wax flower, flannel flower, Leucadendron, billy buttons, banksias, everlasting and tea tree. There are a vast range of reasons as to why these flowers are popular. Banksias, for example, are loved for their uniqueness and shape. Their cone-shaped flower heads are comprised of tiny individual flowers that add intricacy to the bouquet. They are also known for their long vase life, meaning they can look fresher for longer.
Withstanding The Weather
As we gradually ease into the autumn and winter seasons, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a native bouquet for your wedding. “There is quite a variety of blooms available through this period. Banksias, gum nuts, kangaroo paw, Leucadendron, gum, proteas, blushing bride, grevillea, hakea, tea tree, Scholtzia and Thrytomene,” notes Cleary.
The great thing about native flowers is that they are more readily available to us than those imported from other countries. In terms of your wedding’s aesthetic, Cleary says that: “Native flowers are wonderful to use for weddings in natural settings. I also feel it is up to the bride. Some brides have strong feelings about using natives because they are mostly Australian grown v. European, which may have a larger carbon footprint.”
Timeless Favourites
If we’ve sold you on the idea of getting native flowers for your wedding day, let’s delve further into the meanings and bouquet combinations so you’re fully prepared. We’ll start with Cleary’s personal favourite combination. After all, who would have better taste in a bouquet than a knowledgeable florist? “My favourite combination was in a bouquet from 2022. Red proteas and red Leucadendrons with white everlasting flowers, tea tree and gum for foliage,” she says. It paints quite the magnificent picture!
One of the fun aspects of choosing your flowers is discovering the meanings behind each one and combining them to subliminally convey your thoughts and feelings. According to Cleary, “There are a few natives that hold special meanings
that brides like to have in their bouquet. The kangaroo paw conveys unique love and friendship, bottlebrush represents joy and harmony, billy buttons convey good health and Grevillea represents love and faith.” Whether combined or separate, choosing these flowers in your bouquet are bound to communicate strong feelings towards your spouse, and are absolutely perfect for a wedding.
In Cleary’s parting words for those set on having native flowers for their special day, she advises you to do your own research. “Check our seasonal flower guides to see when your favourites are in season when looking to book your wedding day, as brides can get disappointed when they can’t have their favourite flowers.