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A native shrub of South America, this climbing plant was named after the 18th century French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainvillea and can now be found throughout the tropics, sub-tropics and in protected parts of the Mediterranean. The shrubs produce colourful leaf-petal clusters, the real flower is small and trumpet shaped and found between three brightly coloured leaf bracts (which we are calling the petals, as it sounds better for confetti than real leaf bracts). It is these that are hand picked and carefully separated and dried ready for a variety of creative uses. It really is nature's prettiest confetti.
As far as we know, we are the only company in the world growing this shrub to use as confetti - so feel that it is a unique contribution to the wedding tradition.
Is it biodegradable?
As a flower, bougainvillea will break down and biodegrade, as do all natural leaves. Because it is already dry, the process is even faster, with the added bonus of looking pretty in the process. Exact times will depend on weather conditions and the number of people at the wedding who tread on it and begin the process.
Have the petals been dyed or coloured in any way?
Not at all. The naturally vibrant colours are slightly more muted when dried, and each petal has its own natural variations, depending on the drying process.
Will the petals stain?
Bougainvillea petals are not dyed or coloured in any way, and come to you as Mother Nature intended and showerproof!! Yes, Bougainvillea petals will repel any drops of rain or water, and they will stay dry. But if you stand in the rain long enough with the darker bougainvillea petals, and they get soggy, some colour may appear, but this extreme behavior is not normal at weddings.
Can I use it to decorate food?
yes - and with complete confidence. No pesticides are used at any time in the production of our bougainvillea petals, and you can rest assured that chefs can use them to decorate and garnish food. We do not recommend that you eat them though!
Will the vicars/registrars/hotels etc allow it?
Synthetic artificial confetti has understandably prejudiced a number of officials, so you need to check with whoever is in charge at your chosen venue. We have had very positive responses to our petals from church officials and hoteliers alike. They are naturally pretty and bio degradable outside, and easy to vacuum up inside. Show them a sample - we are sure they will love it!
How can I keep the petals at their best?
As a natural product, these petals will not last forever. So that you can enjoy them at their best, we supply them to you in a lightly frosted package, which will afford some UV protection. We recommend that you buy them no more than 6-12 months in advance, and that you protect them from light, temperature extremes and rough handling.
Are the plants grown organically?
No sprays or chemicals are used while the plants are growing, but as the soil has not been registered with an organic accreditation society, they cannot be officially labelled as organic. Every effort is taken to assure that the plants are grown as carefully and responsibly as possible.
Has it been perfumed?
Bougainvillea does not have its own natural scent. We have chosen a very subtly scented oil of orchid extract which is diluted with pure alcohol to gently fragrance the petals. This ensures that you will not get the 'summer straw' scent that is natural with dried flower petals. It is very light, as we do not want anything to clash with an individual's perfume, or with food aromas when used to decorate tables etc. We think that it enhances the petals; but can arrange for yours to be unscented if you would prefer.
Is there a best way to throw it?
Yes - with laughter, smiles, delight and surprise! The unique floating qualities of Bougainvillea petals are simply superb. They are light and will get carried on a breeze so if a breeze is blowing, it's best to find a protected spot, check the direction of the breeze, and to make sure that the breeze is flowing towards your target! We love to see the petals floating downwards, so that everyone can enjoy the cascade (you'll be amazed at how long they take to flutter), so releasing the petals when your hands are at their highest in a large swooping arc is what works best for us.
How many packages will I need?
All our packages are generously filled with our gorgeous petals, and the sizes and approximate number of portions are given in the pack information section. The CUBE is easily the most flexible and economical way of providing petals for decanting or scattering on a large scale. This size pack would be plenty to decorate 10 tables each seating 8 people (measuring 1m x 2m), and would lightly cover a 1m wide walkway for a distance of about 25m.
Remember that we want to help you prepare for a very special day - and will do whatever we can. Please e-mail or phone to discuss your individual requirements. If we can't help, we will try to suggest an alternative.
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