Pretty in pink: proteas pop in winter chill

WINTER may turn some folks pale but the cooler season can have the opposite effect on proteas.

At Inverleigh’s Luvleigh Estate Flower Farm, proteas and plenty of Australian natives are in full flower.

The colder weather seems to intensify the colour of Pink Ice and Susara protea varieties, the agribusiness’s co-operator Leon Boccassini said.

He and his wife Sue Boccassini established the flower farm in 2000. They planted the first five acres of proteas, impressed and inspired by the Pink Ice variety.

Since then the farm has grown to 2,000 bushes planted over about 15 acres.

Daughter Holly Boccassini now helps them run the farm that sells the long-lasting blooms to florists in Geelong, and to wholesalers for distribution in retail outlets like supermarkets.

The Boccassini women enjoy making bouquets for their farmgate stall, and there is demand for arrangements for special occasions like funerals, birthdays and weddings.

“Demand has remained steady over the years despite more players coming into the market,” Sue said.

The recent rainfall was good for the bushes, they said, although too much rainwater or frost can cause damage.

“We have lost some over the years because of frosts, but when it is cold it does seem to bring out more intense colours,” Leon said.

Over the years as the flower farm has grown, Leon said the local community has been extremely supportive of the family enterprise.

“People will drive to our farmgate from all over,” Sue said.

Mothers’ Day is their busiest period.

“We are now also looking to also offer pick your own opportunities for visitors into the future, and we are also planning to start offering workshops, like Christmas wreath workshops, and coffee on site into the future as well,” Holly said.

Towards this development, work to build a studio overlooking an expanse of the growing bushes, is already well progressed.

“We’re hoping that by this time next year it will be up and running,” Leon said.

He said an aim all along was to create something the entire Boccassini family – that also includes son Nicolas and daughter Carlee – could all be part of.

“It is a passion,” Sue said.