When creating an arrangement that needs the perfect finishing touch—something that shows elegance and at the same time shouts personality—Waxflowers, those delicate, waxy flowers that make ordinary bouquets extraordinary, often come to mind. And for floral designers who refuse to settle for mundane, Helix Australia, a leader in Waxflower and Boronia breeding, has just the right mix of these flowers for you.
But more than that, grower Flora United has several varieties from Helix Australia, which will add that perfect finishing touch that you desire, making your floral arrangement really special. Between the two, Australian breeding expertise becomes one with South African growing mastery and conditions to create Waxflowers that redefine what is imaginable in floral design.
Where Breeding Expertise Meets Ideal Growing Conditions
Helix Australia, as is already known, is the world's leading Waxflower breeder, established in 2008 with a focus on developing varieties that stand out for their color, form, and performance. Their refined breeding programs, done in partnership with Kings Park & Botanic Garden, target both the cut flower and landscape sectors. The varieties they produce come in exciting new colors, unique petal shapes, extended flowering times and improved plant vigor.
Flora United, meanwhile, holds the reputation of being the number one grower of exotic flowers. Founded in 2007 in South Africa, and later another facility in Portugal, this grower has the knack for cultivating premium Waxflowers alongside other exotics like Leucospermum, Protea and Leucadendron.
When Flora United was founded, Niek Oudendijk and Willem Verhoogt invested in the farm in Malmesbury, Clanwilliam, South Africa, with Bertu Nieuwoudt coming in as shareholder-cum-farm manager. Across 60 hectares of sustainably managed land, and with Bertu's expertise, Flora United is now one of Helix Australia's most reliable licensed growers.
The rapport between these two tells of novelty meeting expertise. While Helix Australia has spent years developing and perfecting its varieties, Flora United, situated within South Africa's ideal growing regions and conditions, grows these flowers with great exactitude. And together, they have produced an assortment that speaks directly to designers who understand that detail makes all the difference in their arrangements.
Cultivating Star Performers With Unique Characters
Flora United has a unique model of cultivating Waxflowers. Its South African and Portuguese farms provide ideal settings for the Helix Australia-bred varieties. Here, the flowers can fully develop their unique personalities under optimal conditions. Every variety reaches its full potential, from the intensity of color to the longevity that every savvy or discerning designer wants.
Consider the Waxflower (Chamelaucium) Raspberry Ripple, for instance. Its rich burgundy tones seem to delightfully waltz between deep crimson and subtle plum. It holds the distinction of being Helix Australia's premier edible Waxflower variety, offering not just visual appeal but a delightful citrus-lemon flavor profile. As a late-season flowering variety, it delivers consistent 60-70cm stems with yields ranging from 20-60 stems in year two, increasing to 70-100 stems from year three onwards. Its rounded shrub form reaches approximately two meters high by 1.5 meters wide, making it equally loved for landscape applications. It is a statement piece that anchors arrangements with refined depth.
Waxflower Purple Rain, on the other hand, takes a different approach entirely, offering cascades of lavender hues that seem to shift and shimmer in changing light. It brings bold mid-spring color with its large, deep-purple waxy blossoms arranged along slender 60-70cm stems. Each stem features light branching that provides dramatic color impact without adding bulk—perfect for bouquets, retail bunches, or structural installations. The flowers open fully to reveal rich violet tones that create stunning contrasts with neutral foliage or complement pastel palettes beautifully.
Then there is Waxflower Free Spirit, aptly named for designers who embrace unconventional beauty. Its unique coloring defies easy classification, making it the perfect choice for those who create arrangements that both surprise and delight. Just as its name implies, Waxflower Free Spirit injects designs with its magenta-purple drama, featuring bold flowers that pop against more muted tones. As a mid-season hybrid with large purple flowers, it offers 60-70cm stems with just enough branching to provide textured filler volume without overwhelming the design. These waxy, full-petaled blossoms offer fresh color when many filler flowers are transitioning between seasons.
While these three capture attention with their striking personalities, there is a more extensive palette of options for astute designers. Waxflower Niek's Pride, named after Flora United partner Niek Oudendijk, is an early-flowering and vigorous hybrid, displaying large pink buds and flowers. Others like Waxflower My Sweet 16, Waxflower Dancing Queen, Waxflower Kerryn, Waxflower Moonlight Delight, Waxflower Sarah's Delight, Waxflower Morning Delight, and several others also add structure and visual delight to arrangements.
Telling Tales Through Waxflowers in Designs
These Waxflowers tell stories. The varieties carry their own narratives. Their small, star-shaped petals create texture and movement that larger flowers can hardly achieve. They fill spaces between bold statements without overwhelming them, creating delightful harmony where chaos might otherwise reign.
The durability factor cannot be overlooked either. While some flowers wilt under pressure, these hardy varieties maintain their composure throughout demanding event schedules. For designers working with tight timelines, this reliability means peace of mind. The stems hold their form, the colors remain true, and the whole presentation stays fresh longer than many alternatives.
Also, the beauty of working with these Waxflowers is in understanding their seasonal rhythms. The spring season in the Southern Hemisphere brings peak availability for many sought-after varieties. September through November typically offers the broadest selection, with varieties like Waxflower Morning Delight and Waxflower Dawn Pearl leading the charge as early-season favorites.
This timing works beautifully for Northern Hemisphere designers planning autumn and winter events. While local flowers may be winding down, Flora United's harvest is, then, reaching its stride. The natural progression means fresh varieties arrive just when designers need them most, thus providing options that feel timely yet timeless.
Seasoned designers know Waxflowers as more than filler material. They are architectural elements that create structure and flow within arrangements. The branching stems offer many design entry points, while the little flowers provide visual weight without bulk. This blend allows for aesthetic layering techniques.
Waxflowers’ versatility also means that these varieties work beautifully in different designs, including modern minimalist compositions, where their subtle beauty takes center stage. They are equally at home in lush, romantic compositions where they add subtle counterpoints to bold focal flowers. Such adaptability makes them essential for florists who work across varied style preferences.
For designers who, therefore, care about the story behind their materials. And those who dare to stand out. These Waxflower varieties offer the perfect substance. They provide the consistency that floral professionals need while delivering their unique character that distinguishes exceptional floral design work.
Feature image by @blumenladenterravecchia, Header image by @wafex_australia. Reel by @petervandelft.flowers. Unless otherwise indicated, other photos are by @helix_australia
