Winter Feature Flower: Australian Natives

Textural, resilient, and full of character

While winter in Australia may be gentle compared to elsewhere in the world, the season still calls for flowers that bring warmth, texture, and presence - and few do that better than our Australian native flowers. With their earthy tones, sculptural forms, and rich cultural significance, natives are the unsung heroes of winter arrangements, offering both strength and subtle beauty.

This month, we’re celebrating the uniquely Australian blooms that shine in the colder months - flowers that tell a story of resilience, authenticity, and natural elegance.

Australian Natives Flowers

A Celebration of Homegrown Beauty

Australia’s native flora is wonderfully diverse, with thousands of species adapted to thrive in our varied climates. In winter, we especially love working with banksia, wattle, grevillea, flannel flower, leucadendron, blushing bride, and waxflower - all of which flourish in cooler temperatures and bring striking form and texture to seasonal bouquets.

These blooms are more than just hardy - they’re sculptural, wild, and beautifully imperfect. With layered textures and warm, muted tones ranging from soft creams and blushes to terracotta, ochre, and chocolate, native flowers suit both rustic and refined design palettes.

Symbolism and Meaning

Australian native flowers carry deep symbolism - rooted in resilience, connection to country, and the enduring beauty of the natural world.

• Wattle, our national floral emblem, symbolises unity, renewal, and remembrance. It’s often used to mark new beginnings and national moments of reflection.
• Banksia represents strength, adaptability, and rebirth, thriving in harsh conditions and regenerating after fire - a powerful metaphor for resilience.
• Flannel flower, with its soft, tactile petals, is a symbol of comfort, gentleness, and healing.
• Grevillea is associated with creativity and bold expression, thanks to its intricate forms and vivid colour.
• Eucalyptus (gum) is long considered a purifying and protective plant, traditionally used in Indigenous Australian smoke ceremonies.

Together, these blooms embody a deep connection to land and a quiet strength - making them particularly meaningful in winter, when we naturally slow down and seek grounding, both emotionally and environmentally.

How to Care for Australian Natives

Native flowers are known for their longevity and low maintenance, making them ideal for winter homes or long-lasting gifts. Here’s how to care for them at home:

• Trim stems: Cut at an angle with clean, sharp secateurs before placing in water.
• Strip leaves: Remove any foliage that sits below the waterline to prevent bacteria.
• Refresh water: Every two to three days, change the water and re-trim stems to keep flowers looking fresh.
• Keep cool: As always, display arrangements away from direct heat and sunlight.

With proper care, native arrangements can last up to two weeks or more, making them one of the most enduring options for winter florals.

How to Style Australian Natives

Native flowers lend themselves beautifully to organic, textural arrangements and are especially suited to winter styling.

• For an earthy, gathered look: Pair bold forms like banksia with delicate tendrils of wattle and sculptural branches of eucalyptus. The contrast in scale and texture creates depth and a natural, foraged feel.
• For unexpected softness: Let the flannel flower take centre stage. Its velvety white petals and gentle form are perfect for bedside arrangements or a subtle moment on a powder room vanity—adding softness without losing the wild, native character.

Australian natives also work beautifully in sculptural, contemporary settings. Try placing a few considered stems in a ceramic vessel, allowing for negative space and natural curves to bring a quiet, modern elegance to the room.

Winter’s Quiet Strength

There’s something deeply comforting about Australian natives in winter. Unfussy, enduring, and full of character, they remind us of our connection to the land and the quiet beauty found in nature’s slower moments.

Our stores are currently filled with freshly sourced native flowers - available in signature bouquets and custom arrangements. Whether you’re sending a thoughtful gift or simply brightening your home, let our designers craft something beautiful with the very best of the season.