Darling Quarter’s Living Christmas Presents

Wrapped in Christmas magic, Darling Quarter will become the home of Living Christmas Presents this festive season as large-scale vertical gardens boxes, dressed in red bows, make their way to the precinct.

Get ready for show-stopping photo moments as these picture perfect flowers create the ultimate backdrop for insta-worthy memories. 

Crafted from vibrant vertical garden boxes, these unique masterpieces are a festive fusion of nature, and holiday cheer. Every blossom radiating harmony and joy, embodying the true spirit of Christmas.

Once the festive season is over the enchanting plants will find a permanent home within the landscaping beds of Darling Quarter so they can continue to breathe festive cheer into the greenspace all year round!

Learn more about the flower varieties and their tie to the festive season below. 

Aloe Gemini
Aloe gemini is a compact, sculptural plant known for its fleshy, pointed leaves with subtle white spots and soft spines along the edges. Its unique shape and muted green tones make it an ideal addition to the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter, adding visual interest and sophistication. The plant's symbolism of resilience and endurance aligns perfectly with the festive spirit, making it a thoughtful and visually appealing choice for creating a lush, inviting atmosphere.

Aptenia
Aptenia, commonly known as Baby Sun Rose or Heartleaf Ice Plant, is a versatile, low-growing succulent with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant, daisy-like flowers that range in colour from bright pink to red. Its lush, trailing nature makes it perfect for creating cascading effects in a green and giving installation at Darling Quarter. Aptenia’s rich green foliage and cheerful flowers can add a splash of colour and texture, enhancing the festive ambience while maintaining a natural, inviting atmosphere. Its hardy, drought-tolerant nature also symbolises resilience, making it an ideal choice for an installation that celebrates the enduring spirit of the season.

Kalanchoe Copper Spoons
Kalanchoe "Copper Spoons" is a distinctive succulent known for its spoon-shaped leaves coated in a velvety texture, with a striking coppery-bronze hue that deepens in sunlight. This plant's warm, metallic tones can bring a unique and festive flair to the green and give installation at Darling Quarter, adding depth and contrast to the lush greenery. The rich colour of Kalanchoe "Copper Spoons" complements traditional holiday colours, making it an excellent choice for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both modern and natural. Its resilience and low-maintenance nature also make it a practical and symbolic addition, embodying the enduring spirit of the season.

Portulacaria Afra
Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush or Spekboom, is a versatile, drought-tolerant succulent with small, round, fleshy green leaves that grow densely along its reddish-brown stems. This plant is not only visually appealing with its lush, vibrant foliage but also has a strong environmental significance, known for its ability to absorb high levels of carbon dioxide. In the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter, Portulacaria afra would add a rich, textured greenery that symbolises sustainability and resilience, perfectly aligning with the spirit of the season. Its cascading growth habit can create a beautiful, natural flow in the display, enhancing the festive atmosphere while promoting an eco-friendly message.

Sweet Viburnum
Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) is a versatile evergreen shrub known for its glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring, followed by small red berries that mature to black. Its dense foliage and elegant form make it a perfect choice for creating a lush, verdant backdrop in the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter. The plant's rich greenery can enhance the festive atmosphere, providing a timeless and classic look that evokes the traditional charm of the holiday season. Additionally, the subtle fragrance and visual appeal of Sweet Viburnum can add a sensory layer to the installation, making it an inviting and warm space for visitors.

Carissa Desert Star
Carissa "Desert Star" is a hardy, evergreen shrub characterised by its glossy, dark green leaves and small, star-shaped white flowers that emit a delightful fragrance. This plant's compact form and year-round greenery make it an excellent choice for the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter. Its delicate, starlike flowers add a subtle, festive touch, reminiscent of the stars that symbolise the holiday season. The "Desert Star" can create a lush, inviting atmosphere while its fragrant blooms enhance the sensory experience, making it a standout element in the overall festive decor.

Santolina
Santolina, commonly known as Lavender Cotton, is a low-growing, aromatic shrub with finely textured, silvery-grey foliage and small, bright yellow, button-like flowers that bloom in summer. The vibrant yellow flowers provide a cheerful pop of colour, contrasting beautifully with the plant’s silvery leaves. In the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter, Santolina’s bright yellow blooms can add a festive burst of colour, enhancing the overall visual appeal and creating a lively, joyful atmosphere. The combination of its unique texture, soothing scent, and vibrant flowers makes Santolina an excellent choice for adding depth, colour, and a touch of elegance to the holiday display.

Juniperus Sinensis
Juniperus sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Juniper, is a hardy, evergreen conifer with dense, needlelike foliage that ranges from rich green to blue-green hues. Its naturally sculptural form and textured, vibrant foliage make it an ideal plant for adding structure and depth to the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter. The plant's evergreen nature and classic conical shape evoke traditional holiday imagery, reminiscent of Christmas trees, making it a fitting choice for a festive display. Juniperus sinensis can serve as a striking focal point or as part of a layered arrangement, enhancing the visual impact while adding a sense of timeless elegance and serenity to the holiday atmosphere.

Sedum Goldmound
Sedum "Goldmound" is a low-growing, mat-forming succulent known for its vibrant, golden-yellow foliage that retains its bright colour throughout the year. The plant’s cheerful, sunny hue and dense, cushion-like growth make it a fantastic choice for adding a pop of colour to the green and giving installation at Darling Quarter. Its brilliant yellow tones contrast beautifully with deeper greens, creating a dynamic and eyecatching display. Sedum "Goldmound" also symbolises resilience and adaptability, qualities that align well with the festive spirit of giving and enduring joy. Incorporating this plant into the installation can enhance the overall vibrancy and warmth of the holiday decor, making the space feel welcoming and full of life.

Looking for more? See what’s rockin’ around the harbour this Christmas.