At Flower Mint, we're a little obsessed with native blooms. There's something about their texture, colour, and hardiness that makes an arrangement feel effortlessly beautiful — and a little bit unexpected. Whether it's a bold waratah stem or a soft flannel flower, native varieties bring a distinctly Australian character to a bouquet that classic roses and lilies just can't match.
Here in Bendigo, our native and rustic arrangements are some of our most-loved creations. So we've put together an A–Z guide to the Australian and South African natives you'll commonly find in our studio — perfect if you're curious about what's in your bouquet, or want to request something specific for your next order.
Australian Natives
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Banksia — Bold, sculptural cones in gold, orange, and burgundy. A textural favourite in rustic-style bouquets.
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Blushing Bride (Protea) — Soft, papery pink-white blooms, gentle enough for wedding work.
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Bottlebrush (Callistemon) — Vivid red and pink brush-like spikes that add movement to an arrangement.
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Boronia — A fragrant, bell-shaped flower in warm brown-pink tones.
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Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum) — Festive red bracts, a seasonal favourite through the warmer months.
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Eucalyptus — Our go-to foliage. Silvery leaves and, in season, soft fluffy gum blossom.
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Flannel Flower — Velvety, soft grey-green foliage with delicate white star-shaped petals. One of our most requested native stems.
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Geraldton Wax — Small, waxy pink or white clusters, a lovely filler that lasts well in a vase.
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Grevillea — Spidery, nectar-rich blooms in orange, red, and cream.
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Kangaroo Paw — Iconic velvety, tubular blooms in red-green or yellow — instantly recognisable as Australian.
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Lilly Pilly — Glossy foliage and pretty pink-purple berries, great for adding depth.
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Melaleuca (Paperbark blossom) — Soft, brush-like white or cream flowers.
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Native Rose — Pink, rose-like buds that pair beautifully with flannel flower and wax.
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Paper Daisy — Papery "everlasting" flowers in bright yellows, whites, and pinks.
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Waratah — A dramatic, deep red crown-shaped bloom and a genuine showstopper
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Wattle — Fluffy golden-yellow blossom, one of the most iconic Australian native flowers of all.
South African Natives
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Agapanthus — Blue or white globe-shaped flower clusters on tall stems.
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Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) — Striking orange-and-blue, crane-like bloom that makes a bold statement piece.
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Cape Daisy (Osteospermum) — A bright, sunny daisy-form flower.
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Freesia — Fragrant, funnel-shaped blooms in a range of colours, lovely for softening an arrangement.
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Gladiolus — Tall, dramatic flower spikes, wonderful for adding height.
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King Protea — The national flower of South Africa; a large, crown-like bloom and one of our favourite hero stems.
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Leucadendron — Colourful, cone-shaped bracts that add texture and structure.
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Pincushion Protea (Leucospermum) — Round, spiky "pincushion" blooms in vivid orange and yellow.
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Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) — Tall, torch-like spikes in orange, red, and yellow.
A few varieties, like protea and leucadendron, are grown across both regions today — we've grouped them by where they're most commonly sourced from for our arrangements.
Why We Love Working With Native Flowers
Australian and South African natives aren't just beautiful — they're also some of the longest-lasting stems we work with, which makes them a fantastic choice for gifts, events, and anyone after a lower-maintenance arrangement. Their rustic, textured look also suits a wide range of styles, from relaxed everyday bunches to structured wedding florals.
If you'd like to see these blooms in action, take a look at our rustic and native collection — or get in touch and we'll put together something using the natives in season right now.