Flower Guides

Alstroemeria - Also known as the Peruvian Lily or Lily of The Incas, (or simply 'alstro' in the floristry trade), alstroemeria, was named for the Swedish Baron Clas Alstromer by his associate Carolus Linnaeus. Alstroemeria is commonly misspelt 'alstroemaria' & 'alstromaria'. The flower is referred to as the Peruvian Lily as it resembles a miniature lily. (Alstoemeria is not a lily though). An unusual botanical fact about alstroemeria is that the leaves are 'resupinate' - meaning that they twist from the bottom, so what appears to be the upper leaf is in fact the lower leaf area.

Anthurium - Anthuriums, (otherwise known as The Flamingo Flower, Flamingo Lily, Boy Flower, Painted Tongue or Willies on Plates by some cheeky florists!!), are a genus of the Arum family. Anthuriums are native to the tropical Americas and grow naturally in many forms, bushy or climbing with roots that can dangle from a rainforest canopy all the way to the floor!

Aster - Aster, (otherwise known as September Flower), is a genus of the Asteraceae family. The name 'aster' is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning 'star' because of it's star shaped flower heads. Aster is a multi-headed flower used as a filler in the floristry trade. It also has the effect of adding softness to flower bouquets, arrangements and wedding flowers, (similar to gypsophilia). Aster is also popular in wedding flowers that require a cottage garden / vintage feel.

Antirrhinum - Antirrhinums, (otherwise known as Snap Dragons), were originally thought to be a genus of the Scrophulariaceae family, but DNA studies have led antirrhinums to be included in the Plantaginceae family.

Brassica - Using fresh brassica, (ornimental cabbages), in any flower arrangement always grabs the attention. Brassica is something completely different, and although it's just a cabbage, will always add a touch of class.

Banksia - Banksia are a genus of the Proteaceae family and are native to Australia.

Calla Lily - The Calla Lily is a truly unique and elegant flower. Their shape is like no other and are available in a huge range of colours & stem lengths. Calla lilies are grown from bulbous roots called tubers and are known under a variety of different names such as Pig Lilies, Calla Lilies, Arum Lilies, Trumpet Lilies and Zantedeschia. Calla lilies are not really lilies – they are part of the zantedeschia genus and originate from South Africa.

Carnation - Carnations, real name Dianthus, were first grown by the Greeks. The word ‘dios’ refers to the god Zeus & the word ‘anthos’ meaning ‘flower’. Carnations are available in two varieties, 1). Standard carnations – large single headed bloom per stem and, (2), Spray Carnations – multi headed flowers per stem. Carnations and spray carnations are known for their long vase life and are used extensively in all walks of floristry.

Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemums, (otherwise known in the trade as Xanths), are one of the oldest known flowers, dating back to the 15 century BC when they were grown as flowering herbs by the Chinese. The ancient city of Xiaolan Town was renamed Ju-Xian – meaning ‘Chrysanthemum City’. The Chrysanthemum was later introduced to Japan in the 8th century AD and the ruling Emperor adopted the flower as his official seal.

Celosia - Celosia, (otherwise known as Cockscomb), are a genus of the amaranthus family Amaranthaceae and are native to Africa. The name ‘celosia’ is derived from the Greek word ‘kelos’, meaning ‘fire’. This is because of the plume shaped flowers that resemble a flame in some varieties

Craspedia - Craspedia, (otherwise commonly known as Billy Buttons and Woollyheads), are native to Australia and New Zealand.

Dahlias - Dahlias are native to Central America, Colombia and Mexico and are commonly grown as garden plants. The Aztecs grew the dahlia for food, ceremonial purposes and for decoration.

Delphinium - Delphinium is a genus of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae and is native to the Northern Hemisphere. All delphinium contains 'alkaloid delphinine' which is extremely toxic and will cause vomiting if ingested. Small amounts of delphinium have also been used in herbalism over the years.

Eryngium - Eryngium, (otherwise commonly known as Sea Holly), is a genus of the Apiaceae family. Eryngium is famous for it's thistle shaped flower and is often used in Scottish wedding flowers. Eryngium flowers range from cobalt blue through to deep purple in colour with the exception of eryngium Alpinum White Star - the flowers on this variety are nearly white.

Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus is a genus of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is native to Australia. There are over 700 varieties of eucalyptus known to date - most of which are common to Australia. There are only 15 varieties of eucalyptus that naturally occur outside Australia.

Freesia - Freesia are grown from a bulb called a 'corm' and are the genus of the Iridaceae family. Originally native to South America, freesia have tall, thin spiky leaves and a one sided cluster of trumpet shaped perfumed flowers. Due to their beautiful scent, freesia are not only produced for the wholesale flower markets, but also to be used in the production of hand cream, shampoos, perfumes etc.

Gerbera - Gerbera were named after the German naturalist Traugtt Gerber and are a genus of the sunflower family. Gerbera is also known as the Transvaal Daisy or Barberton Daisy. All gerbera have a central capitulum, which is composed of hundreds of individual flowers, surrounded by numerous florets creating the shape of a daisy.

Gloriosa - A uniquely stunning flower, Gloriosa is a genus of the Colchicaceae family. Gloriosa is also known as The Flame Lily, Fire Lily, Glory Lily, Superb Lily and Creeping Lily. Gloriosa is native to Africa and Asia and is the national flower of Zimbabwe - it is also the state flower of Tamil Nadu in India.

Gypsophila - Gypsophila, otherwise known as Baby's Breath or simply 'Gyp' in the floristry trade, is a genus of the Caryophyllaceae family. Gypsophila naturally grows on calcium rich soils including gypsum - hence the name gypsophila! It's botanical name literally means 'lover of chalk'.

Gladioli - Gladioli is a genus of the Iridaceae family and are cultivated from corms. The word ‘gladioli’ is derived from the Latin word ‘gladius’ – meaning ‘sword’. This is because the shape of the gladiolus is similar to that of a sword.

Grevillea - Grevillea is a flowering evergreen plant native to Australia and is a genus of the Proteaceae family. Grevillea has a number of common names that include Spider Flower, Spiderman, Silky Oak, Bush Lollies and Bush Toothbrush.

Hydrangea - Hydrangeas are one of the most spectacular flowers available on the wholesale flower markets. Originating from Southeast Asia, wholesale hydrangeas are available in a huge range of stunning colours. The magnificent flower blooms can be anything up to 25cm in diameter and stem lengths vary from 30cm up to a massive 80cm tall.

Helconia - Tropical Helconias are a genus of the Heliconiaceae family and are native to the Tropical Americas and Pacific Islands where they are an important food source for humming birds.

Hypericum - Hypericum is a genus of the Clusiaceae family and is also widely known as St. Johns Wort. There are 100's of varieties, though they are all known as hypericum. Hypericums properties are widley used in medicine, especially in homeopathy, used for treating depression.

Helleborus - Helleborus, (commonly known as Hellebores), are a genus of the Ranunculaceae family and are native to the Mediterranean and central Europe. The largest concentration of hellebores being in the Balkan regions.

Iris - As a plant, iris is available in numerous varieties, including the beautiful bearded iris. Unfortunately, commercially available fresh cut iris is far more limited with only a handful of varieties grown. The upside is that fresh cut iris is now available all year round in one variety or another on the wholesale flower markets, (not just in spring time).

Lilies - Lilies are large showy flowers, grown from bulb and are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Fresh cut wholesale lilies are available all year round, but in larger quantities throughout the summer months when the prices are at their cheapest. Lilies should be purchased in tight green bud and the stems should be rigid & strong. Lilies are graded by stem length and the number of flower buds per stem. For example a small grade lily may be graded as 75cm tall with 2/3 buds, medium size 85cm tall with 4/5 buds and large lilies up to 110cm with 6/9 buds per stem.

Leucospermum - Leucospermum, (otherwise known as Pincushion Protea), is a genus of the protea family Proteaceae and is native to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Closely related to Banksia, Leucospermum require smoke from bush fires to spread their seeds.

Leucadendron - Leucadendron is a genus of the Proteaceae family and is native to South Africa. Leucadendron has a woody cone-shaped seed head at the very top and the waxy leaves are arranged in spirals along the length of the stem.

Molucella - Molucella, (otherwise known as Bells of Ireland and Shell Flower, often miss spelt 'Moluccella'), is native to Turkey and Syria. Molucella is a member of the mint family and is a very popular wedding flower.

Orchid - Orchids are one of the most exotic and stunning flowers available on the wholesale flower markets. Originally, all orchids were imported from hotter climes, but nowadays are successfully grown in carefully regulated greenhouse conditions in Holland.

Peony - The Peony, (or Paeony), is the name of the flower in the genus 'Paeonia'. Peonies are native to Asia, North America and Southern Europe. The peony is named after Paeon, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Another little known peony fact is that in 1957 the Indiana General Assembly made the peony the state flower of Indiana, a title it still holds to this day.

Protea - The Protea, (often commonly called the Sugar Bush), is a genus of the Proteaceae family and are native to South Africa.

Phalaenopsis Orchid - Phalaenopsis Orchids are also commonly known as Moth Orchids because some say the flowers look like moths in flight. The word 'phalaena' is given to a group of large moths.

Rose - Roses have always been one of the most popular flowers on the wholesale flower market and are available all year round in numerous varieties and grades. Here at Triangle Nursery, we tend to split wholesale roses into two categories – mainstream and specialist varieties.

Ranunculus - Ranunculus have a rose shaped flower and are a genus of the Ranunculaceae family, which includes flowers like buttercups, spearworts and water crowfoot. All species of ranunculus are poisonous to cattle, horses and other livestock. The name for ranunculus is Latin for 'little frog', ('rana' - meaning frog). Many wild species are found near water and this is probably the reason.

Strelizia - One of the best known tropical flowers in the world, Strelizia, (otherwise known as Bird of Paradise & the Crane Flower because of its resemblance to a birds head), is originally native to South Africa where it grows wild. Strelizia is pollinated by sun birds. There is a hard, beak shaped sheath form which the flower emerges called the 'spathe' - it is placed at right angles to the stem

Sunflower - Sunflowers, (real name Helianthus), are a genus of the Asteraceae family and are native to North America. Sunflowers are cultivated in Europe these days for the cut flower market, food and the production of oil.

Stock - Stocks, (real name Matthiola), is a sweetly scented flowering plant and were named after Pietro Andrea Matthioli - a doctor and naturalist born in Siena.

Scabiosa - Scabious, (real name ‘Scabiosa’ and commonly known as ‘Pincushion Flower’), is a genus of the Dipsacaceae family and native to Asia and Europe.

Tulip - The tulip is a plant grown from bulb and is a genus ‘Tulipa’ in the Liliaceae family. Although tulips are associated with Holland, the first commercial cultivation began in the Ottoman Empire – the word ‘tulip’ is derived from the Persian word ‘dulband’, meaning ‘turban’. Tulip festivals are held in the Netherlands, Spalding England and North America every May. The largest, permanent display of tulips in the world is in Keukenhof, Holland. Tulips are now very popular in Australia and tulip festivals are held in September & October, (Australian Spring time).

Vanda Orchid - Vanda Orchids, (real name 'Vandaceous Orchids), have some of the most sensational flowers to found in the orchid family and as such are regarded horticulturally as one of the top five important orchids. Vanda orchids owe much to hybridists producing orchids for the wholesale flower markets.

Waxflower - Waxflower, (real name: Chamelaucium), is a genus of the Myrtaceae family and is native to Western Australia. The flowers of chamelaucium closely resemble the tea-tree plant – Leptospermum.