Best On-Line and Stores for Quick Mother’s Day Flowers
By Jill Brooke
It’s Mother’s Day and for 2024, it is expected that sales will increase 10% which is not a surprise. No other holiday triggers people to buy as many flowers which is why over $2 billion is spent for our beloved moms. Unlike Valentine’s Day, where rose sales surge, most mothers prefer to get a bouquet of flowers featuring lilacs, lilies as well as roses.
There are many options to buy flowers and we will share options and recommendations to make this painless, efficient and bring smiles to the recipients!
4 FAVORITE ONLINE SITES
For convenience, you can go to some of the big mega distributors, and here are some offerings that come in all price points.
Like other big distributors, this company has been around for years and offers a range of flowers. I like the multi-flower arrangement which is $66.49 especially since it features the sunflower, the flower of the hour due to its link to Ukraine and peace. Also, lilies are linked to motherhood because, in Renaissance paintings, the angel Gabriel had a lily in his hand to give to Mary as a symbol of the birth of her son and then forever became linked to motherhood.
These are also very affordable choices and have a lot of variety. Think of vases as well for that added sentimental touch. Plus they also sell flowers with chocolates.
I’ve been a fan of Teleflora for many reasons. Sometimes you want an option that isn’t flowers but a plant that will last for a longer time. Their orchids are $54.99 and as an orchid lover, these are plants I often give as gifts.
This company packages itself as a more modern version but that also means a little pricier. They also are very playful with colors.
FIND A LOCAL FLORIST NEAR YOUR MOM, WIFE, OR SISTER
Maybe Mom or your wife likes a certain color or has a flower preference such as pillowy peonies.
Many of these services farm out orders to local florists especially in smaller markets to produce arrangements at a 20% cost so it’s always best to know your local florists for a more customized – and often – more inexpensive experience depending on the market. Maybe she likes a particular delphinium or peach rose. This is when the local florist is a good call.
Here is our list of 125 great florists throughout the United States if you want some suggestions.
SUPERMARKET BOUQUETS
Trader Joe’s is my favorite go-to place for flowers and the blooms are so well-priced. But more supermarkets are finding flowers as such a strong revenue source that they are improving their departments such as in Mount Kisco N.Y.’s Stop and Shop which has a whole area devoted to flowers.
When buying flowers, think about what happens when they travel to their first home after a long journey. Although supermarkets and flower shops may be getting roses from South America, (Ecuador and Columbia) and possibly California, the care upon arrival will be different at a supermarket vs. a flower shop where they will be what is called “conditioned,” having their stems cut to absorb water better and then fed nourishing Floral Life so that they adjust to their new surroundings before being put into an arrangement. This really affects the quality and life of a rose or flower and its lasting dazzling staying power.
Consumers should look for fresh flowers and be like Sherlock Holmes investigating clues of a fading fraying flower by looking at its interior- no browning or signs of being beaten up by sitting in a supermarket container for too long. The water should also be fresh since water must be changed daily for optimal results. Check out the guard petals that they are not curling and brown – another signifier that the flowers aren’t as fresh as you may want and need some first aid. A good tip is to ask the supermarket when their delivery will arrive so you can condition the flowers yourself.
You can also make a dramatic statement by purchasing three dozen tulips and putting it in a vase for a personalized choice. But obviously, this is an option for when you are taking these blooms to someone in your neighborhood.
Garden Roses Direct This company is also an option because you can order the roses you may want directly from a supplier. Their varieties including the Baronesse are just some of the best on the market and they are owned by a wholesale company. This is their consumer line and a great source for the beautiful luxury rose. For one type of flower, this may be another option.
BUY LOCAL
Considering that 80% of flowers purchased come from South America, the Netherlands or Kenya, you may pick up some whimsical blooms and put them in a mason jar for that country look. And then perhaps arrange the day around lunch nearby or a flower farm visit. In fact, because of distribution problems as well as environmental ones of drought in certain areas and heavy rains in Columbia, imports are more expensive. Purchasing local has a lot of appeals and helps the environment.
PROVEN WINNERS Etc.
I’m a big fan of plants for gifts, especially for people who have impacted my life in “motherly” ways like aunts and treasured godmothers. With the container craze sweeping the country, companies like Proven Winners created dwarf size plants such as hydrangeas. Among the offerings are Oso Easy Double Pink – 1.5-2’ tall and wide,Oso Easy Hot Paprika – 1-2’ tall, 2-4’ wide, Oso Easy Mango Salsa – 1-2’ tall, 2-4’ wide and a new fun one called Fairytrail Bride® Cascade Hydrangea®
The famous Knock-Out Rose which reblooms and has easy care is now also made into a container version as of last year by Star Roses and Plants.
All these choices are a continuous memory of your gift.
Also, remember that love has many forms and there are red roses may signify romantic love but yellow flowers are for friendship and pink ones are for appreciation. Use the flowers as opportunities for storytelling. Because flowers can express emotions when words can not. No one isn’t happy to get a bouquet of flowers whether it’s a big bouncy bouquet or even just a beautiful rose in a lovely bud vase.
Jill Brooke is a former CNN correspondent, Post columnist and editor-in-chief of Avenue and Travel Savvy magazine. She is an author and the editorial director of FPD, floral editor for Aspire Design and Home magazine and contributor to Florists Review magazine.