General Description/History

Christmas Bells are native to the east coast of NSW and southern Queensland and have long been bush picked as a colourful traditional Australian Christmas flower in NSW. Cultivation began about 15 years ago and now provides most of the cut flower supplies.

Flowers resemble a large (up to 6 cm) elongated drooping bell, with several flowers per stem. The most common colour combination is orange with yellow petal margins, but bells can also be found in red. There are no leaves on stems.

Christmas Bells are grown as a polyhouse or field crop. Most are grown in northern NSW.

What to look for

• Buy when one of the flowers per stem is fully open;
• Avoid bunches with crushed or creased flowers.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool at all times.
2. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in water immediately.
3. Always use a preservative as this will help buds to open and keep open flowers looking fresh.
4. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every day.

Botanical Name: Blandfordia grandiflora

Common Names: Christmas Bells

Stem Length: 30 to 60 cm

Country of Origin: Australia

Available Colours: Orange, Red

Season: Summer,Spring

Availability: January,November,Decemeber