The Essential Guide To The Brunia
Botanical Name: Brunia spp
Common Name: Brunia
General Knowledge: Brunia, known for its intriguing silver-grey spherical blooms, is native to South Africa, where it grows in the wild, particularly in the Cape region. In Australian floristry, brunia is prized for adding texture and contrast to floral arrangements and bouquets, often serving as a unique and long-lasting filler. A fun fact about brunia is that despite their soft and woolly appearance, the balls are surprisingly firm to the touch, and their stems can remain fresh for several weeks, making them a favoured choice for both fresh and dried arrangements.
Colour Range: Brunia comes in a variety of colours including green to greyish-brown, and silver, with certain varieties like the Brunia noriflora being prized for its silver hue.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Brunia flowers bloom from Summer to Autumn in Australia and are quite long-lasting, making them suitable for use as cut flowers during this period.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Due to their unique and elegant appearance, Brunia flowers are a popular choice for weddings and events, particularly during the Summer and Autumn seasons in Australia.
Commercially grown in Australia: Brunia is commercially grown in Australia.
Buying Tips: Look for Brunia with well-developed, well-coloured flower heads, free of pests and with no browning. The stems of Brunia are heavy and woody and may not always be straight. Avoid bunches where the conifer-like leaves are dry and darkened, as this indicates poor storage and old product.
Design Tips and Advice: Brunia is a transitional and foliage type plant, with heavy heads and stems, making it suitable for bunching or bowl arrangements with traditional, tropical, and wildflowers. It has a sculptural appeal for modern designs. The soft conifer-like foliage may be used grouped or wired to support a wide range of designs, including wedding bouquets and accessories.
Flower Maturity: Choose Brunia that has well-developed flower heads for optimal maturity.
Expected Vase Life: Brunia has a relatively long vase life, ranging from 10 to 14 days.
Typical Stem Length: The stems of Brunia typically range from 30 to 45 cm in length.
Typical Bunch Size: A bunch of Brunia can contain between 5 to 10 stems.
Floral Preservatives: Standard commercial flower food may help in extending its vase life.
Ethylene Sensitivity: The sensitivity of Brunia to ethylene is unknown.
Temperature Requirements: Store Brunia at cool temperatures between 2–4 °C.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Cool conditioning Brunia for up to 4 days is recommended to avoid browning. Ensure that the stems are held in deep water with flower food added to prevent drying out. Avoid dry storage.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Utilise cool storage at 2–4 °C and consider conditioning Brunia for up to 4 days to prevent browning.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Ensure proper hydration and use floral preservatives in the vase water to maximise vase life and maintain flower quality.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: As the sensitivity of Brunia to ethylene is unknown, it may be wise to treat it as if it is sensitive and take appropriate precautions.