Matsumoto Asters - "beautiful crown"

Matsumoto Asters have a delightful daisy-shaped bloom with a yellow center and comes in all sorts of colors including light pink and dark pink, red, purple, peach, lavender, pale yellow and white.  It typically takes about 10-12 weeks to grow.  The stem of these flowers typically have a spray of several flowers, averaging three to five blooms.

The unique flower is also referred to as the China Aster, Florist Aster, Callistephus and Rainbow Aster.  Its botanical name means "beautiful crown" in Greek and refers to the showy, solitary flower heads.  

It's also said to be an ideal gift for a wife or a husband since it symbolizes contentment.

Gorgeous Alstroemeria symbolizes friendship

It's a stunning flower that resembles a miniature lily.  Alstroemeria is often also called the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas.  It takes us several months to grow the gorgeous flower on our Skyline farms.  As far as it's history, Alstroemeria is said to have been discovered by Baron Claus von Alstromer, a Swedish baron, who collected the seeds on a trip to Spain in 1753.

We grow the popular flower in a range of colors -- from white to golden yellow, light pink and dark pink, red, orange, peach and lavender.  It has several meanings including symbolizing friendship and devotion.  The Alstroemeria's leaves grow upside down with the leaf twisting as it grows out from the stem, so that the bottom is facing upwards.  It's much like the twists, turns and growth of friendship.

It's also considered the 30th wedding anniversary flower for symbolizing magnificence of pride, beauty and devotion.  Some say the twisting leaves represent the complex nature of marriage.

Alstroemeria flowers have no fragrance and typically have a vase life of about two weeks.  One other interesting note, not all Alstroemeria have striped petals.

Find out about the meaning of roses!

Valentine's is right around the corner and the most popular flower to give on this day of love--  beautiful roses!  At Skyline, we grow a variety of roses and spray roses inside one of our greenhouses.  It typically takes them 40 days to grow.  In addition, Skyline grows garden roses on our farm under hoop houses.  The garden roses take about 50 days to grow depending on the weather.

Roses are known as one of the most enduring symbols for love and appreciation and the color of the flower gives it an added meaning.

Here's a list for you:

Red - Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance.  Throughout time, it has been one of the easiest ways to tell someone you "love them."

Pink - Pink roses are often given as an expression of admiration.

Yellow - Yellow roses are thought to evoke a feeling of warmth and happiness.  It's typically associated with true friendship and is also a symbol of joy and friendship.

White - White roses represent innocence and purity.  They are traditionally associated with marriage and new beginnings.

Orange - Orange roses often symbolize passion and excitement and are an expression of blooming romance.

Lavender - Lavender roses are considered a perfect symbol of enchantment.  It's used to express feelings of love at first sight.

Peach - Peach roses are a message of sensitivity and are used to extend sympathy.

Skyline Freesia

Freesia takes us longer to grow than most flowers here at Skyline.  It takes us about six months to produce the gorgeous flower but to us, it's worth it and we're well-known for growing top notch freesia.  In fact, Skyline is one of only two large-scale growers of freesia in California.

In the language of flowers, freesia is said to symbolize innocence and friendship.  It's also known as the 7th wedding anniversary flower and symbolizes trust and fidelity as well.  Some say it's an antidote to the proverbial saying that the seventh year of marriage provokes restlessness.  Representing faithfulness through the seasons, it's a traditional reminder of love's honorable character.

It's also one of the most fragrant flowers.  Some describe it as a light and sweet scent, others say it smells like Fruit Loops.  The floral scent is often used in soaps, lotions and perfumes.  

Skyline grows Ranunculus year round

At first glance, bloomed Ranunculus appear so delicate that they almost look to be made of tissue paper.  The flower, which is also known as a buttercup, is grown in a variety of colors and is very popular among brides.

Here at Skyline, it takes about three months to grow Ranunculus and typically, they're grown on our farm under shade clothes.  What separates us from other growers, we grow Ranunculus year round which is rare.

Some say in the language of flowers, a bouquet of Ranunculus says, "I am dazzled by your charms."  It is thought the blooms are captivating and dazzle the eyes.  They are ideal for a new love interest or someone you highly admire.

Snap City USA - Snapdragons

Skyline is known for its beautiful "Snapdragons."  In fact, we are known around the world as "Snap City USA."  The tall flowers typically take around ten weeks to grow on our farms.  Of course, depending on our weather conditions.

Snapdragons are a favorite among children who like to pinch the tiny individual blossoms and make the "dragon mouth" open and close. It's said the common name for this colorful flower comes from the snap it makes when the sides of the "dragon's mounth" are gently squeezed.  Their large, blossom-laden flower heads are faintly fragrant and come in all sorts of bright colors.

It seems their actual origin is unknown, but it's believed that snapdragons were originally wildflowers in Spain and Italy. Legend has it that concealing a snapdragon makes a person appear fascinating and cordial, and in the language of flowers, snapdragons are said to represent both deception (perhaps tied to the notion of concealment) and graciousness.

Here's how some expand on the meanings:

Meaning 1: Deception
Legend has it that the suitor who hides a snapdragon has allure and an appearance of congeniality. From this concealment may have arisen the tradition that snapdragons signify deception. Deception can be an accusation, a query, or a private meaning for an individual circumstance. When combined with another flower, such as purple hyacinth which expresses an apology, the general message could be a humble plea for forgiveness of an indiscretion.

Meaning 2: Graciousness
Gracious--synonymous with benevolent, courteous, and obliging--is a secondary meaning for the snapdragon. When given to a hostess, the snapdragon presents the perfect picture of formal appreciation for kind hospitality. Used in bridal bouquets, the snapdragon may represent a wish for a fortunate and blessed marriage.

Pink Oriental Lilies

They're big, beautiful, fragrant and have a vibrant color.  Pink Oriental Lilies are some of the most popular flowers in the world and there are many reasons why.

Here at Skyline, it takes us typically about 100 days to grow our pink oriental lilies and we have all kinds.  Some are light pink, some are hot pink and others are pink and white.  

It seems the most well known pink lily is the Stargazer.  Some say it can express every feeling you can think of - from joy to appreciation and sympathy.   Known for its striking blooms and heavenly scent, the stargazer is a fantastic choice for a number of occasions. Delicate, bold, and fragrant all at once, stargazers can say Congratulations, I'm Sorry, and everything in between.