Flower power: a bouquet of choices

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

Roses are red; violets are blue; when choosing a Valentine’s bouquet, what should one do?

While the dozen-rose classic may seem like a given on Valentine’s Day — which the calendar has marked for tomorrow, Feb. 14 — some local florists say romantics might want to think twice before buying their bouquets, or risk boring their sweethearts.

“Judging by my friends, I think a lot of women are tending to get bored with the red rose,” said Louise Butterworth, a florist at Terrafolia in Dollard des Ormeaux, adding flowers are always a matter of personal preference; she, herself, is not a fan of the red Valentine’s staple. “I don’t like red roses. I find them boring. I see so many all the time. But, I am a florist. I’d say half my girlfriends would like the traditional long-stem rose in the box and all, and the other half wants a mix.”

While the red rose is still the most popular purchase this time of year, Butterworth said lilies, daisies, orchids, and the “ever popular” mixed flower bouquet are big hits as well.

Yvonne, another florist working in Dollard, was already busy taking Valentine’s orders last week.

“They’re gearing up. They know they better have something on Feb. 14; otherwise they could be in the dog house,” she jokingly said of the calls — mostly from men — she was receiving.

Traditional roses and new spins on the classic blossom are her biggest sellers on Valentine’s Day, she said. The eternal rose, for example, is available in a multitude of colours and is treated to last a lifetime. “Or at least as long as the relationship, I hope,” Yvonne said, laughing. For those who want to be a bit more original, though, she pointed out the lucky bamboo, available in all sorts of arrangements and pots. “They’re unique and really easy to take care of,” she said.

“I usually buy potted flowers, because they last long,” said Martin, a Hudson resident shopping in Dollard last Thursday, who didn’t want to give his last name to avoid ruining any Valentine’s surprises. “They might not be as spectacular as cut flowers, but they last longer and can be appreciated for some time.”

For Miriam, it’s really the thought that counts and not a fixed date when being romantic is required.

“My favourite flowers are daisies, but I like to get flowers on any day. It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day,” she said.

Stanislaw Szymnek said he usually sticks to the classic rose, but likes to give carnations, too. Red, though, is a must.

“Besides the roses, I like carnations. They stay longer,” he said.

But according to Jean-Claude Provost, who will be wrapping bouquets on his 23rd Valentine’s Day at Fleuriste Ste. Anne in Ste. Anne de Bellevue tomorrow, roses can last a lot longer than most people think — as long as you know the “recipe.”

Change the water and cut the stem with a sharp kitchen knife every day, and your roses should last 10 days, he said. “Use a sharp knife – scissors can damage the stem’s fibers – and cut the stem at a 45 degree angle so the roses can drink every day. That’s the secret,” Provost instructed. “What happens after one day is, the bottom of the stem dries up and the rose just drinks what’s left in the stem. It will die. But if you cut it at an angle and change the water every day, she will drink every day.”

Provost said, in his experience, men usually know what their significant others like. He has one customer, for example, who buys his wife cala lilies for every occasion, because they are her favourite. But for the clueless, Provost recommends they let the experts help them out.

“Usually, if the guy doesn’t know, we mix the flowers,” he said. “And, usually, the ladies like it.”