| All about Boronia Boronia is often used as a feature flower in bouquets. When in peak
production, Boronia is a novel filler in hand-tied bouquets, or you can cut it short and
use it in round arrangements.
Boronia belongs to the citrus family of Rutaceae and is
named after an 18th century Italian botanist, Francesco Borone. In its native Australia
there are 95 different species with flowers in red, pink, yellow, purple, brown, and
white. In California, commercial cut flower growers harvest different varieties of Boronia
from December through spring. The fuchsia pink flowers of Boronia heterophylla, the most
popular variety, bloom just in time for spring holidays. 'Lipstick,' another species of
Boronia heterophylla, has brilliant pink flowers that bloom around Valentine's Day.
Boronia denticulata, which blooms in December and January, has light pink flowers and is
more branchy than other types.
Boronia's strong fragrance, which varies in intensity with
the variety, is another distinctive feature of this flower. Boronia heterophylla has a
sweet herb/citrus scent. Boronia megastigma, with brown and yellow flowers, is the most
fragrant species with a scent that resembles freesia and orange blossom.
Stems of boronia are cut from dense, evergreen shrubs,
which only last 2-3 years in the field and then have to be replanted—one reason
boronia is more expensive than other fillers. Fresh cut Boronia has a vase life of 7-10
days if properly treated. |
