Bouquet artist

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and many are giving their sweeties the loving gift of flowers. Women melt for them, and guys love them, too. Chico’s Marc Kessler has been growing, arranging and selling flowers organically for the lovers’ holiday—and all other special occasions—for 18 years. You can find him and his wife, Julia Keener, at the stand for their California Organic Flowers farm during the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Chico from late February through the week before Thanksgiving, or you can visit www.CaliforniaOrganicFlowers.com to order online.

What got you interested in flowers?

I’ve always loved flowers, farming and the whole lifestyle. Flowers are a beautiful way for people to connect with nature. It’s a thrill to work behind a beautiful stand of flowers and see the joy on someone’s face when they receive a bouquet.

What are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers?

The most popular one is the Anemone, which comes in bright red, white, pink or purple. It’s cup-shaped with a dark purple center that is dense and pincushioned, kind of like a sea anemone. People like them because of their bright colors, and they are long lasting—at least a week. Another Valentine’s favorite is the Narcissus, which is yellow and very fragrant.

What’s your approach to designing bouquets?

I choose bright colors with matching textures. It’s similar to how an artist paints, using harmonious colors on their palate to put on the canvas. For Valentine’s Day I use colors that are adjacent on the color wheel. Red and pink are more romantic and feminine, whereas blue and white are more masculine. I don’t use a lot of filler—mostly big, beautiful flowers.

Is Valentine’s Day your busiest time of year?

Actually, Mother’s Day is twice as busy as Valentine’s Day. Everyone has a mom, and often she doesn’t live in the same town, so it’s natural to send her flowers. Valentine’s isn’t as big because many people do something else, like go out.

Why do people choose organic flowers?

Mainly people want a happy story behind their purchase. If they’re grown using slave labor in South America, it diminishes their purchase. We don’t spray and kill things. Instead we attract beneficial insects and other animals like bluebirds, dragonflies and hummingbirds that prey on would-be pests. To my knowledge, I’m the only 100 percent certified organic flower-shipping website in the world.