Newsletter March 2025

Flower of the Month

The Bells of Ireland

By Bibi

Bells of Ireland

Despite its name, Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) is not native to Ireland! The name likely comes from its vibrant green colour, which is strongly associated with Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, and good luck. The bell-shaped calyxes – resembling tiny green bells, evoke images of Irish traditions and folklore. Symbolism of luck and prosperity – making it a popular plant for weddings and celebrations.

Fun Facts About Irish Bells

🌿 Not a True Flower: The “bells” are actually calyxes (leaf-like structures) that surround tiny, fragrant white flowers inside. These calyxes give the plant its signature look.

🌱 Self-Seeding Survivor: Once planted, Bells of Ireland can self-seed, returning year after year even though they are annuals.

🍀 Lucky Charm: Because of its Irish-themed name and fresh green color, it is often gifted as a symbol of good luck and fortune.

💐 Florist’s Favorite: This plant is widely used in floral arrangements because it dries beautifully while maintaining its shape and color.

🌎 Global Origins: Native to Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus—not Ireland!

Arranging Bells of Ireland in Floral Designs

Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) are a florist’s dream due to their tall, striking stems, fresh green hue, and long-lasting nature. Here’s how you can use them in floral arrangements:

1. Elegant Centerpieces

• Pair Bells of Ireland with white roses, lilies, or hydrangeas for a timeless, elegant look.
• Place them in a tall glass vase to showcase their natural height (up to 90 cm!).

2. Wild & Organic Bouquets

• Combine with wildflowers, eucalyptus, and grasses for a natural, rustic vibe.
• Their vertical form adds structure and movement to loose, unstructured bouquets.

3. Minimalist & Modern Displays

• Use Bells of Ireland on their own in a simple vase for a chic, contemporary statement.
• Perfect for adding height to a Japanese Ikebana-inspired design.

4. Wedding & Special Occasion Arrangements

• Popular in wedding bouquets due to their symbolism of luck and prosperity.
• Mix with white and blush blooms for a fresh, romantic feel.

5. Dried Floral Designs

Perfect for dried wreaths, pressed floral art, or everlasting bouquets.

Bells of Ireland dry beautifully while keeping their green color.

The flower of the month is dedicated to a dear friend from Ireland who left us too soon.

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Plant of the Month

Zig-Zag Cactus

by Bibi

Zig-Zag Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus) also known as the Fishbone Cactus or Ric Rac Cactus, is a unique epiphytic cactus native to the rainforests of Mexico. Its distinct, wavy-edged stems resemble a fishbone or zig-zag pattern, making it a striking houseplant. Unlike desert cacti, it thrives in warm, humid environments and produces stunning, fragrant pinkish-white flowers that bloom at night—though the bloom is rare indoors.

Care Instructions

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light; can tolerate some direct morning sun.
• Watering: Keep soil slightly moist but not soggy; allow the top layer to dry out between waterings.
• Humidity: Enjoys higher humidity; occasional misting or a pebble tray can help.
• Temperature: Thrives in warm conditions (18–26°C); avoid exposure to cold drafts.
• Soil: Well-draining, airy mix—use an orchid mix or cactus soil with added perlite.
• Fertilizing: Feed monthly with a diluted balanced fertilizer during the growing season (spring/summer).
• Propagation: Easily propagated through stem cuttings—allow cuttings to callous before planting in soil.

Fun Facts & Symbolism

Its rare, night-blooming flowers are associated with mystery, fleeting beauty, and the appreciation of the present moment, much like the Epiphyllum “Queen of the Night.”

The Zig Zag Cactus is an epiphyte, meaning it grows on trees rather than in soil in its natural habitat.

It is sometimes confused with the similarly shaped Epiphyllum anguliger (Fishbone Cactus), but they are different species.

How To Grow/Propagate Zig Zag Cactus/Fishbone Cactus/Ric Rac Cactus/Selenicereus Anthonyanus

For a limited time only, ‘Pregnant Onion’ is available for sale at the CFS Flower Shop.

Recipe of the Month

Carrot and Date Bread By Wing C

Ingredients:

2 medium carrots, grated (about 200g)

150g dates, pitted and crushed 

200g almond flour (or coconut flour)

3 large eggs; a pinch of salt;

1 teaspoon (5 g) ground cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon (5 g) nutmeg (optional) 

1/2 teaspoon (5g) baking powder (optional)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla essence (optional)

Instructions: 

Preheat the oven:  heat the oven to 1 80’C (350″F). Grease and lines a loaf pan with baking paper or use silicon tray for baking. 

Prepare the dates: blend the dates in a food processor or blender. If they are very dry, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes before blending. 

Mix the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Beat the eggs until foamy. Add the crushed dates and mix well. Stir  in the vanilla extract, if using. 

Add the dry ingredients: add the almond flour,  baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.   Mix until the batter is smooth. 

Stir in the carrot –  add the grated carrot to the batter and gently mix until fully combined. 

Bake – pour the batter into the prepared pan or silicon moulds and level  the surface. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a  toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Cool – let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Then,  place an a wire rack to cool completely.

Book Review

by Kim Wilkin

The Idea of Perfection

by Kate Grenville.

Kate Grenville is one of Australia’s leading authors. She has won a number of awards. This novel, published in 1999, is the winner of the Orange Prize, Britain richest prize for novels, given to the best international novel from a female author.

It is set in the mythical small Australian town of Karakarook which has a unique bent wooden bridge. The two main characters, both from the city, who do not know each other when they arrive, are Harley, from a conservation group come to help some locals preserve it and Douglas an engineer who has come to help take it down.

They are opposites, Harley is a strong outspoken female and Douglas a shy divorcee. It is about their interaction with various members of the small community and eventually each other. As readers we are immersed in the life of small town Australia. We see life through the eyes of these 2 characters.

The book is often humorous and always entertaining. The author is wonderful in bringing alive her characters. It is about 400 pages, easy to read and a must for those interested in Australian literature.

From the Desk of Bibi

Be an Upstander, not a Bystander

By Dr Bibiana Chan

At Community Flower Studio (CFS), we are committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment where everyone—especially families and young people—can engage in creative workshops without disruption. Our Lunar New Year workshops served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of standing up for fairness and consistently reinforcing our community values.

The Importance of Boundaries and Respect

During the celebrations, a small group of participants—who had previously attended multiple free workshops—displayed behaviours that did not align with the spirit of our community. While we strive to offer enriching experiences for all, shared respect for guidelines ensures fairness and inclusivity for everyone.

Key concerns included:

1. Participation without proper registration – Our workshops operate on a registration system to guarantee fair access. Unfortunately, some attendees occupied seats meant for registered participants, limiting opportunities for those who followed the process.

2. Disrespectful behaviour and lack of engagement – While the lively festival atmosphere included concurrent performances that created some noise challenges, we encourage participants to collaborate and stay mindful during sessions. However, some rushed through activities, disregarded instructions, and bypassed the mindful creative process highlighted in my opening speech.

3. Use of materials without checking with facilitators first – workshop resources are thoughtfully prepared to support the learning experience. Taking materials without facilitator guidance disrupted the session’s flow and affected the overall experience. Continue reading HERE.

Subscriber’s Corner

Some Tips for an Upstander

By Kate Xavier – Professional Education Lead, Together for Humanity

This is a summary of Kate’s speech at CFS’ Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair.

It’s never easy being witness to racism or prejudice. It is normal to fight, flight or freeze when we encounter harmful language and behaviour. Sometimes when we are the target, having upstander intervention can make a huge difference in the moment or afterwards.

At Together for Humanity, we work with school communities to help students, teachers and families develop intercultural understanding and learn important skills to be upstanders in their communities. Often, people have good will to help, but sometimes we just don’t know what to do. Here are some of our tips to help you be a better upstander.

1. Ask open-ended questions 

This is one of my favourite strategies to open up the conversation. Sometimes people have deliberately said harmful and hurtful words and other times there may have been a miscommunication. Try saying things like “I’m sorry can you repeat that?” or “What did you mean by that?” to open up the conversation. Sometimes having to repeat what they said is enough for people to realise they have said something that’s not socially acceptable and that their view’s aren’t shared.

2. Show support to the targets

Sometimes it’s simply not safe to intervene as it may put us in harm’s way.  However, it is never too late to reach out to the person. Check in either face to face or online and offer support, guide them to appropriate mental health supports and encourage them to report the incident.

3. Report

According to research by Dr Alana Kamp, from Western Sydney University’s Challenging Racism Project, Asian-Australians are less likely to report racism. Encouraging people to document and report racism is important. You can report racism in workplaces, schools and through a variety of local hotlines and websites.

We’ve shared this poster created by Together for Humanity’s diverse staff for use in schools and workplaces. Feel free to print them off! For more information about upstander behaviours, prejudice reduction programs, see our website.