Published Friday, 23 January, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Give native flowers a go this Australia Day
This Australia Day why not give native flowers a go and use them as part of the celebrations.
That’s the challenge from Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin.
Mr Mulherin said: “It’s hard to think of anything more Australian than our wildflowers – admired around the world for their unique beauty.
“Along with Australian flags, and green and gold, why not decorate your table with some native flowers.
“Wildflowers that make excellent centrepieces include Kangaroo Paw, Christmas Bush, Banksia, Flannel Flower, Waxflower and Rice Flower.
“The Kangaroo Paw is one of Australia’s most popular flowers, with a huge selection of colours and sizes from around 40 varieties.
“The Banksia is a well-known, large, woody flower which also comes in a range of colours.
“A lesser-known candidate is the Rice Flower which is versatile with a long vase life.
“Wildflowers are an important export industry with Japan being the most significant export market for Australian-grown wildflowers and foliages for the past 20 years.
“The Japanese like the unusual colours, shapes and long shelf life of our wildflowers and pay big dollars.
“In Japan a single Banksia can fetch around $10 or a stem of Kangaroo Paw can fetch $13 whereas in Queensland you can buy a Banksia for around $5 and a stem of Kangaroo Paw for around $6, Mr Mulherin said.
Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries recently took Australian wildflowers like Kangaroo Paw and Christmas Bush to the International Flower Exposition, held in Tokyo.
This is the largest and most significant flower and garden industry trade show in Asia, attracting more than 38 000 visitors and 870 exhibitors.
“Each year Australia exports around $13 million in flowers and foliage, of which $6.6 million is to Japan.
“And it’s probably little known that the lifestyle horticulture industry, including production and services, is worth $1.4 billion a year to the Queensland economy.”
“Queensland’s representation at the expo resulted in new business opportunities for Australian wildflower growers,” said the Minister.
“It provided great exposure to industry professionals including retailers, wholesalers, importers and growers from all over Japan and Asia,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information on Australian native wildflowers in Queensland, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media: Mark Symons 32396530
That’s the challenge from Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin.
Mr Mulherin said: “It’s hard to think of anything more Australian than our wildflowers – admired around the world for their unique beauty.
“Along with Australian flags, and green and gold, why not decorate your table with some native flowers.
“Wildflowers that make excellent centrepieces include Kangaroo Paw, Christmas Bush, Banksia, Flannel Flower, Waxflower and Rice Flower.
“The Kangaroo Paw is one of Australia’s most popular flowers, with a huge selection of colours and sizes from around 40 varieties.
“The Banksia is a well-known, large, woody flower which also comes in a range of colours.
“A lesser-known candidate is the Rice Flower which is versatile with a long vase life.
“Wildflowers are an important export industry with Japan being the most significant export market for Australian-grown wildflowers and foliages for the past 20 years.
“The Japanese like the unusual colours, shapes and long shelf life of our wildflowers and pay big dollars.
“In Japan a single Banksia can fetch around $10 or a stem of Kangaroo Paw can fetch $13 whereas in Queensland you can buy a Banksia for around $5 and a stem of Kangaroo Paw for around $6, Mr Mulherin said.
Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries recently took Australian wildflowers like Kangaroo Paw and Christmas Bush to the International Flower Exposition, held in Tokyo.
This is the largest and most significant flower and garden industry trade show in Asia, attracting more than 38 000 visitors and 870 exhibitors.
“Each year Australia exports around $13 million in flowers and foliage, of which $6.6 million is to Japan.
“And it’s probably little known that the lifestyle horticulture industry, including production and services, is worth $1.4 billion a year to the Queensland economy.”
“Queensland’s representation at the expo resulted in new business opportunities for Australian wildflower growers,” said the Minister.
“It provided great exposure to industry professionals including retailers, wholesalers, importers and growers from all over Japan and Asia,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information on Australian native wildflowers in Queensland, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
|
Wildflower |
Colours |
Stem lengths |
Vase life |
Availability |
|
Kangaroo Paw |
Bright red, orange, yellow, purple, black, green |
50–100cm |
14–16 days |
July–January |
|
Christmas Bush |
Red flowers, green leaves |
40–100cm |
10–15 days |
November–January |
|
Banksia |
Silvery hues, bright red |
50–70cm |
14-20 days |
All year |
|
Flannel flower |
White |
Up to 80cm |
14 days |
August–February |
|
Waxflower |
White, red, purple, cream, pink |
60–90cm |
12 days |
May–December |
|
Rice flower |
White, pink |
50–110cm |
10–12 days |
August–December |
Media: Mark Symons 32396530