We have had a lot of rain recently, and the proteas just love it. They much prefer the rainwater to that supplied by United Utilities. All the protea plants have a lot of buds this year - I’m looking forward to a showy display of flowers.

The plants that have survived after two northern winters are the leucadendrons (cone bush), the proteas (sugar bush), the telopeas (waratah) and one banksia. The most temperamental are the leucadendrons: too much cold, too little water, too much water …….. they are not very tolerant of extremes and give up easily. The most hardy and prolific are the telopeas - something I did not expect at all. They grow well and give the most beautiful flowers. Very, very good drainage and poor soil are the most important things to give them.

I grow a limited number of varieties.

The flowers and foliage of the Proteacea family are great for Flower School. The foliage provides interesting shape and textures: banksias and grevilleas in particular have lovely long silver leaves which are useful. The large flowers give the wow! factor to any arrangement. We use a lot of leucospermum: their lovely red / orange flowers can last for 3-4 weeks and when they start dying back we spray paint them to create an interesting statement dried flower to be added to later arrangements.

I love the weekly ritual of going out to pick the flowers and foliage for Flower School every Thursday morning. I head out early with my secateurs and put them straight into bucket of water to cure for 5-6 hours before using them in classes. New plants for the garden will be selected with Flower School in mind - Grevillea (Spider Plants) and Leucospermum (Pincushions) are definitely on the list. And probably some more Banksias.