It’s time to take a fresh broom to all the tired, faded and jaded Christmas cliches and remake the silly season in a way that truly reflects an Australian summer. And what better way to celebrate la vie d’Australie  than with our glorious native flora.

Yellow Pages spoke to South Melbourne florist In Full Bloom to find our their tips and tricks for creating gorgeous floral displays to bring a little celebration into your home this Christmas season.

Detail of Christmas wreath, featuring coastal banksias and grevilleas.

Christmas wreaths

Look beyond silver painted gumnuts to find some gorgeous Aussie blooms to decorate a wreath for  your front door. Long lasting native blooms are perfect for a Christmas wreath.  Use a colourful mix of proteas, banksias and leucadendrons, with a spray of Silver Princess gumnuts for good measure.

Spectacular proteas, flannel flowers and gumnuts

Table decorations

You’ll want to see Auntie Marjorie while you’re tucking into a Christmas feast, so leave the big bouquet for the sideboard.  Instead, gather a few small jars and bottles around the table and fill with sprays of kangaroo paw, soft grevillea, golden billy buttons, and the pretty crimson flowers of the Christmas Bush.

In Full Bloom filled these small round vases with stunning proteas, silver gumnuts and flannel flowers. 

Colourful proteas, leucadendrons, gumnuts and bright yellow billy buttons.

Mantelpiece

Choose from a series of small bottles and vases, filled with pretty sprays of flowers, or go large, with a bold display of your colourful favorites. Add a pair of candlesticks or a scented candle and fill your home with a lovely scent.

Something for the sideboard

This is where the big bold colours of the banksias, waratahs and proteas (these are actually from South Africa, but we claim them as our own) can really make a splash. Pair them with striking kangaroo paw, grevillea and of course the stunning blossoms of so many of our flowering eucalypts for an eye-stopping display that will bring life and colour to any room. 

Want to find out how to prolong the life of your cut flowers? Read our handy guide, here.

If you want to add a little home-grown colour to your Christmas festivities, talk to your florist about which Aussie blooms they have in stock. You can find a list of local florists, here.