Archive for February, 2010

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, Feb. 14^th, and I think you should buy flowers.  Whether we’re talking about weddings or holidays, flowers sometimes get a bad rap simply because they don’t ‘last forever’.  I personally think we have enough stuff in our lives that will last forever and the fact that flowers die should not make them worthless.  I hear slogans that refer to “gifts that won’t wilt” (from Flashbags who I absolutely adore!) or “a creative alternative to sending flowers” (made popular by Vermont Teddy Bear, a beloved VT company who also happens to sell flowers through a sister company!) and it feels like flowers get picked on (pardon the flower pun).  Food gets consumed & wine gets drunk…and perhaps so do you!, chocolates get devoured, but flowers light up your life for a few days reminding you of the thoughtful friend or lover who brought them to you and then, they are compostable.

Flowers say I love you without the need for perfect words or too much planning.  You can instantly be transformed from thoughtless to thoughtful with a bouquet in hand.  In my experience, flowers are a perfect gift and are usually very much appreciated.  I should know…I have delivered them for years and people are always happy to see me!  I like to think it is my winning smile, but the warm welcomes I receive are oftentimes attributed to the fresh flowers in my arms.  My husband has always brought me flowers and I have worked as a florist for as long as he’s known me.  It is one of the things that would definitely be on the list of romantic & thoughtful things he does for me.  (It’s sappy, but true.)   

While I took a different route with my business than the traditional flower shop, it is where I got my roots so I have a level of respect & sentimentality for the importance of the retail florist.  (Quick side note:  When I first moved to Burlington in 1996 there were 5 flower shops within walking distance of UVM, now there is only 1.)  As is true with any business that caters to you and your Valentine, florists will have higher prices around the holiday, but keep in mind that your prix fixe dinner menu probably follows the same trend and while your meal lasts for only a few hours your flowers are sure to last at least a few days!

Florists raise their prices not simply in an effort to gouge you, but because their costs also increase.  A single rose will cost your florist nearly twice as much the week before Valentine’s Day than they will the rest of the year.  That is why they double the cost of their roses to the customer.  Not only are the roses more expensive during this time, but because of the high volume of cutting that is done in anticipation of the Valentine’s rush they are not as easy to get from flower growers during the upcoming weeks which keeps the price a bit higher than normal (that whole supply and demand thing!), but you will find that the price for you, the customer, will promptly return to pre-holiday pricing.  The additional staff and overtime hours required to fill all the special orders from design to delivery is also a big factor in the cost of doing business on V-day.  If you want to get the most for your money, then skip the “dozen roses delivered” and pick from the selection of all the other flowers in the cooler to arrange a fresh cut bouquet—the most economical way to buy flowers!  Because a wrapped bouquet is not considered an “arrangement” and does not require a designer’s time to arrange it you will get more flowers per dollar as compared to a vase arrangement (which also includes the cost of the vase, of course).  I always think your best value is to select what looks fresh and if you are unsure, ask for help to get the best results. 

Small flower shops often struggle to keep their doors open and in an economy where grocery stores sell stems for less than florists pay for their product (yes, they charge less than wholesale in some cases!) and the internet satisfies all of our shopping needs, the brick and mortar flower shop could use a little back-up this year.  So if you haven’t already you should order flowers for delivery to your sweetheart or swing by a local shop on Thursday, Friday or Saturday to pick up a fresh bouquet to deliver in person.  If you know what you want, try to order it in advance and schedule a time for pick-up so the florist is sure to have it ready for you.  You don’t have to spend $100…or even $50.  Pick up a bunch of Dutch tulips or gerbera daisies or go for a half dozen roses if you are an old-school romantic.  Whatever you choose you are sure to warm someone’s heart.  Keep it local.  Keep it real.  Keep it fresh.  

Flower Care Tips:  Fresh bouquets will require the recipient to trim at least ½” from the bottom of the stems with a sharp knife or garden clipper—not a scissor—before arranging in a vessel filled ¾ of the way with clean water.  No foliage should fall below the water line and the water should be changed daily or every other day at which time the flowers should also receive a fresh cut.  If the temperature outside is 34^o F or less you should be sure that the flowers are wrapped in plastic bag or heavy paper to protect them from freezing…something that the grocery store often will not do properly for you!  If you will have the flowers out-of-water for 2 hours or more you should ask your florist to put water tubes on the end of each stem…and Yes, you will still have to re-cut them before you put them in water!