“Pye” of Valley Flowers
Rachel Hommel

Name: Pye

Farm: Valley Flowers

Location: P.O. Box 1279, Carpinteria, CA 93014

What they grow: A wide assortment of specialty flowers including chrysanthemums (buttons, daisies, spiders), oriental lilies, asiatic lilies, matsumoto asters, belladonna and bellamossum delphinium, lisianthus, million star gypsophila, sunflowers, snapdragons, myrtle, and eucalyptus.

Where to buy: Farmers markets including Tuesday in downtown Santa Barbara, Wednesday in Solvang, Thursday in Carpinteria, Friday in Montecito, and Saturday in downtown Santa Barbara.

In season now: Floral arrangements including Queen Anne’s lace, dark and light blue belladonna delphiniums, purple and while lisianthus, gerberas, and asiatic lilies.

Their story: Since 1977, the Van Wingerden family has built a successful flower business in the Carpinteria Valley. With more than 20 acres of climate-controlled greenhouses, Valley Flowers has been a popular market favorite for over 15 years.

“Our flowers are just beautiful,” said Pye. “They are long-lasting, they look great, and they smell amazing. They are magnificent!”

Ranked one of the top fresh flower producers in the nation by Greenhouse Grower Magazine, Valley Flowers offers a vast array of year-round varieties, due in part to Carpinteria’s unique microclimate.

“The climate is Carpinteria is just so perfect,” said Pye. “We don’t get any sundowner winds and the moderate temperatures create an ideal growing environment. And the hummingbirds and bees love us.”

Pye, a long-time farmers market veteran, has been working for the company for over 10 years. Excited for the ever-changing selection of flowers, Pye could not think of a better place to work.

“I love talking to all the various personalities at the markets,” said Pye. “The people are just fun and I love being outdoors. You can’t keep me inside!”

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