Flower Library
Blushing Bride
Serruria · Proteaceae
Serruria, affectionately called blushing bride, is the most delicate member of the protea family: nodding blooms of paper-thin, creamy-white to pink bracts with a silky sheen, set against fine, almost needle-like foliage. In wedding floristry it is a small legend — hardly any bloom fits a bridal bouquet better, symbolically and visually. We order it specifically via the Veiling Rhein-Maas when weddings come up; its season falls in the winter months.
- Season
- January – February – March – September – October – November – December
- Vase life
- 10–16 days
- Latin name
- Serruria
- Colors
- Soft pink, Creamy white, Rosé with a silver sheen
As with all Proteaceae, the „petals“ of serruria are in truth bracts enclosing the downy centre. They feel like the finest tissue paper and carry a mother-of-pearl sheen — which creates the flowers special, almost unreal impression.
The trade carries almost exclusively Serruria florida and its selections: creamy-white forms, pink-flushed ones such as „Blushing Bride“ and stronger pink cultivars like „Pretty in Pink“. One stem often carries several blooms — three or four stems already make a complete little picture.
Its big stage is the wedding: in the bridal bouquet next to roses, lisianthus and gypsophila, as a boutonnière — its historically documented use — or as hair adornment. The bloom holds up remarkably well without water, which makes it valuable for foam work and corsage floristry.
Despite its fragile appearance, serruria is a true protea: a good ten days to over two weeks of vase life, provided the water stays clean and sugary flower food is dosed sparingly. The papery bracts do dislike harsh sun, which bleaches them.
And it doubles as a dried flower: hung upside down, the blooms keep their shape and a hint of their colouring — which is why many brides have their serruria bouquet preserved. The fine foliage also dries decoratively.
Is Blushing Bride toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
No reliable toxicity data exists for serruria; the family is considered low-risk. As a precaution, keep out of reach of pets and small children and avoid ingestion.
Typical symptoms: After nibbling, mild gastrointestinal upset such as drooling or vomiting is possible.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle and place them in a vase of fresh, clean water.
- 02Dose flower food low only — Proteaceae dislike much sugar.
- 03Remove any fine foliage that would sit below the waterline first.
- 04Place bright but out of direct sun; the papery bracts bleach otherwise.
- 05Change the water every two to three days and renew the cut.
- 06To preserve, dry the blooms upside down in an airy, shaded spot.
Frequently asked
- Why is serruria called blushing bride?
- Cape legend has it that young men wore a serruria in their buttonhole when proposing marriage — and the bride blushed like the pink flush of the bloom. Hence the name and the close tie to wedding floristry that endures to this day.
- How long does the blushing bride last in the vase?
- Ten to sixteen days — remarkable for such a delicate-looking bloom. It is a protea after all. Out of water, too, as a boutonnière for instance, it easily lasts a long celebration day, which is what makes it so popular in wedding floristry.
- Is serruria toxic to pets?
- There is no solid data; the Proteaceae family is generally considered low-risk. We recommend the usual caution and keeping the vase out of reach of animals that nibble bouquets. There is no known serious risk as with lilies.
- When can you get serruria for a wedding?
- The season runs through the European winter months, roughly September to March — the bloom comes from South Africa and Australia. For summer weddings it is hard to source; then we advise on alternatives with a similar character or on dried serruria blooms.