Helix Australia, which focuses on Waxflower breeding, licensing, and marketing with licensed growers, is currently working on the strong demand and trialing new varieties. The Waxflower harvest season concluded in Israel and California in April and Helix growers in Australia and South Africa have now commenced harvest. They have also recently developed an innovative bunch tag solution, in an effort to reduce their environmental footprint.
Waxflowers for Mother's Day
Waxflower Morning Delight flowered very early in Australia with a small harvest for Mother’s Day followed by a strong harvest in late May. The Helix Australia breeding program continues to try and push the boundaries on early flowering varieties with the goal of creating strong Waxflower supply for Mother’s Day in the middle of May.
High demand
Wafex is the exclusive marketer of Helix waxflower varieties in Australia and they have experienced very strong demand despite the impact of COVID-19 on both the domestic and export economies.
Craig Musson, Wafex Executive Director said early flowering varieties, such as Waxflower Morning Delight and Dawn Pearl, have experienced strong demand with local and export clients. In addition, waxflower is also a popular filler item in Australian wildflower bouquets which typically feature Banksias, Proteas, Leucadendrons, and foliage varieties.
Dawn Pearl
Transportation issues
“Servicing export clients during COVID-19 has been challenging due to limited flights and expensive freight rates but we will continue to ensure we maintain a presence in both domestic and overseas markets,” said Musson. In South Africa, licensed Helix grower Arnelia Farms has commenced Waxflower harvest and also must work within the COVID-19 impacts of high air freight rates and constrained freight space availability.
New varieties under trial
To expand the plantings of early Helix Australia waxflower varieties, Arnelia Farms has also increased plantings of new mid season Helix varieties including Giselle, Purple Rain, Blizzard, Grace and Free Spirit. Hans Hettasch, proprietor Arnelia Farms spoke enthusiastically of the pipeline of new Waxflowers under trial from Helix Australia. “At any one time we have over 10 to 15 new Helix Australia hybrids under trial as we continue to look to extend our harvest season as well as provide our clients with new and improved Waxflower varieties,” said Hettasch.
Waxflower Moonlight Delight, Arnelia Farms, South Africa
Retail
In addition to a strong presence within the global cut flower industry, the genetics of Helix Australia waxflower also feature prominently within the nursery/pot plant industry with potted Helix waxflower varieties now hitting the shelves of retail garden center in Australia and South Africa. Helix Australia has also recently partnered and licensed Tucker Bush plants to include one of the Helix edible waxflower varieties in the Tucker Bush range. Marketed as Jambinu Zest, this Helix variety sits along Tucker Bush’s range of Australian native edible plants including Saltbush, Lemon Myrtle, and Mountain Pepper. "Creating and building a strong brand profile with end user florists has always been a key platform in the marketing strategy of Helix Australia. In the Australian market this has typically taken the form of branded Helix Australia flower sleeves."
Jambinu Zest
100% recyclable bunch tags
In an effort to reduce their environmental footprint and achieve a more sustainable branding solution, Helix Australia has developed an innovative bunch tag solution on all waxflower bunches sold in Australia. 
Bioboard bunch tag
"Launched in June 2021, the new Helix Australia bunch tags feature 100% recyclable Bioboard and have been enthusiastically embraced by environmentally conscious Australian florists."
For more information:
Helix Australia
Adrian Parsons
[email protected]
www.helixaustralia.com.au
Helix