Valentine's Day Flower Arrangements Show a Trend Toward Personalization

With Valentine’s Day just days away, a few area floral shops have shared their views on what people want today.

Lewis Moore, owner of People’s Flower Shop said a dozen roses is still a popular choice for Valentine’s Day, but arrangements vary.

A red vase of fresh roses mixed with purple flowers and other types such as gerbers and carnations are requested at his shop. Moore said bouquets and arrangements come in a wide range or selection.  Prices start at $35 from basic to premium flowers and crystal designer vases.  “It all depends on what a person is looking for,” said Moore.

People’s Flower Shop also offers teddy bears, balloons and chocolates.

At Helen Olivia Flowers, Craig Noah, who co-owns the high-end boutique flower shop with Marianne Raub, said clients want beautiful long lasting blooms specially designed for them.

Noah noted that a dozen long stem roses is formal and traditional and customers tend to stay with a particular arrangement that has sentimental value.

For example, if the first flowers given or received between friends or family were a dozen long stem roses, a party might continue to order that arrangement for its sentimental value.  However, people now desire something more intimate and romantic. “Today’s consumer is choosing a personalized arrangement, deep colors like purple combined with red, and pinks together with red for a more personalized look,” Noah said.

Alternative flowers used for creativity at Helen Olivia are lisianthis, hydrangea, Vanda orchid, purple lilac and cymbidium orchids to name a few. Flower arrangements at this boutique are available from $75 to $275 and more depending on the choice of flowers and materials.   

Helen Olivia offers creative workshops every month. Last week the store hosted a workshop called Romance & Roses in which people learned how to create their own flower arrangements in time for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. 

Lee Mayfield, an associate with boutique flower shop K. Aubrey Flowers, agreed that a dozen roses is a classic and popular choice.  “We offer the traditional red rose bouquets and arrangements, but we’re seeing plenty of customers who want something a little different,” she said. At K. Aubrey Flowers customers are offered a unique cottage garden style.  Mayfield said alternatives to roses were bright and cheery flowers including French tulips and hydrangeas for example.   The high-end shop offers premium bunches of flowers and mixed bouquets.

Select arrangements vary in price depending on size and types of flowers chosen, bouquets can be found from $25 and up; individual stems are $6.

Most of the shop owners say much of the recent purchasing is by men for their wives, girlfriends or partners.  There are also purchases made for mothers or close friends.  The shops featured here stated they would have extended hours for Valentine’s Day. 

Mayfield had one key piece of advice to ensure obtaining your flowers of choice since flower shops prefer to keep orders fresh, “Preorder flowers to make sure that shops have inventory in stock,” she said.

: Fri: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat/Sun: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

:  Fri: 8:30a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mon: 8:30a.m. to 6 p.m.

: Fri: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat/Sun: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Mon: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.