Matsumoto Asters – My Happy Flower!

I walked the farm today and fell in love again with Matsumoto Asters. They are so bright and cheerful you can’t help but feel happy when you walk by them.

Matsumotos are part of the Aster family. The botanical name is “Callistephus Chenisis”. I think they are well named; Callistephus means “Beautiful Crown”. They are originally from Eastern Asia.

Matsumotos are also called “Rainbow Asters” as they come in a wide variety of colors – peach, yellow, light pink, dark pink, red, white lavender, purple and bi-colors.

Colorful, long-lasting and hardy, Matsumoto Asters are an excellent cut flower. They are great by themselves or in a mixed bouquet.

I found a lot of different possible meanings for Aster. They include….. Afterthought (kind of a depressing meaning). Contentment and Love (my favorite meaning). Watchful Eye. I will think of it.

Asters are the official flower for September birthdays.

Strange fact: According to Wikipedia, supporters of the 1918 Hungarian Revolution wore Aster flowers. The movement was thus dubbed the “Aster Revolution”.

Sunroad Floral Trade Center Grand Opening

A couple of weeks ago I traveled down to Carlsbad California to attend the grand opening of the Sunroad International Floral Trade Center. The event was well attended and the organizers did a great job. I was very impressed by the display put on by the wholesaler Holland Flower Market. I am posting some photos I took of their display. Unfortunately I don’t know the name of the floral designer. If I find out, I will post later. Enjoy!

Dahlia Fun Fact

Did you know that Dahlias are native to Mexico and parts of Central America? In the Aztec language, the name for Dahlia loosely translates to Water Pipe Flower as the stems of the Dahlia are hollow.

A couple of weeks ago, the local dahlia fields featured plants in the above stage of maturity.

Now they look like this….. I can’t wait until the fields are in full bloom.

Stay tuned for more photos and fun facts.

Plumeria

I love Plumeria! The scent, the shape, the texture, the amazing number of varieties and shades of color. I have a plumeria pendant which I wear all the time. I tease my hubby that if I was ever brave / crazy / drunk enough to get a tattoo it would be a plumeria. The hubby took this picture and sent it too me. He made my day. I know it is possible to grow them in So Cal if you baby them. I would love to try.

The Dahlias Are Blooming!!

The Dahlias are just now coming into season! Once we get a little further into the summer I will post some really gorgeous field, bouquet and head shots. So this is just a teaser of coming attractions……. Enjoy!

My first memory of flowers

My very first memory of flowers is sitting in our backyard in Pleasanton CA, playing with the snapdragons growing in the border of the backyard. I was about 4 years old. I was fascinated by the blooms on the snapdragon stem opening and closing when you pinch them. Snapdragons (or Antirrhinums) are so named because the blooms look like the face of a little dragon that opens and closes its mouth when pinched.

What is your first floral memory?

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