There is something deeply satisfying about picking flowers from your garden for an indoor arrangement. Typically, we view indigenous flowers as wild and unsuitable. There are however some wonderful long-lasting species, and many indigenous gardens are a florist’s treasure. You don’t necessarily have to find perfectly straight and long-stemmed flowers. Consider the benefit of using foliage in different colours, textures or that can offer a pleasant fragrance. Even indigenous grasses can make beautiful and long-lasting arrangements.
Below is a list of some indigenous plants that can be used as cut flowers:
- Agapanthus praecox – Nile lily
- Amaryllis belladonna – March lily
- Chasmanthe floribunda – Cobra lily
- Clivia miniata – Bush lily
- Crocosmia aurea – Falling stars
- Cotyledon orbiculata – Pig’s ears
- Kniphofia praecox – Red hot poker
- Eucomis sp. – Pineapple flower
- Gerbera jamesonii – Barberton daisy
- Gladiolus dalenii – African gladiolus (main photo)
- Leucospermum sp. – Pincushion species
- Leonotis leonorus – Wild dagga
- Phylica pubescens – Featherhead
- Protea sp. – Protea species
- Restio sp. – Restio species
- Strelitzia reginae – Bird of paradise
- Watsonia pillansii - Watsonia
- Zantedeschia aethiopica - Arum lily
As mentioned, if you are fortunate to have indigenous grasses on your property, these can make wonderful cut flower displays, and they are long lasting. When creating an arrangement with grasses, it is best not to use any water in the vase which allows the grasses to dry and extends the life of your display for months.
To make cut flowers last:
- Take a bucket into the cutting garden with you and place cut flower stems in water immediately
- Cut flowers with a sharp knife or clipper in the early morning when they are fresh and before the bees join you
- Remove leaves that will be below the surface of the water in the vase, as well as any excess leaves above water level that will compete with the flowers for water
- Cut off and use the side stems in smaller arrangement
- Leave prepared flowers in a bucket of water in a cool place for a couple of hours, preferably overnight, before arranging
- Seal cut ends of plants with milky sap in boiling water or hold over a flame for a few seconds
- Crush the bottom 2cm of woody stems and branches to encourage maximum water intake
- Cutting stems underwater can sometimes revive wilted flowers
Hi Glenice.
This is such a brilliant collection.
Thank you for the content.
Hi Joy
Thanks for visiting our site.
Flourish!
Glenice