Blushing Bride

A member of the Protea family, Blushing Bride flowers in spring producing papery white bracts, or floral leaves, surrounding feathery tufts of white to pinkish flowers. Flowers are white or pink. ‘Sugar ‘n’ Spice’ is a well-known variety with pink flowers and deep, rose pink colouring on the white bracts, available from July through to September.
This striking flower was used commonly as a bridal flower in southern Africa which is where it's name is thought to come from. Suitors were known to propose with a bloom of the wild flower in their lapel, the darker the pink of the flower, the more serious their intention.
Unfortunately, these flowers were over-exploited due to their popularity and the species was near extinction in the wild until conservation measures in the 1960’s and 70s saved it.

Blushing Bride is grown in Australia on large bushes in plantations. Plantations are found all over Australia, and these flowers are also grown in South Africa, Israel and the US, including Hawaii.