Although red roses continue to be a top seller on Valentine’s Day, some florists have noticed more women are looking for something a little less traditional on the annual day of love.
“We’ve seen the trend moving away from roses because I think women are looking for something a little different,” said Debora Converse, designer at Dehn’s Flowers and Greenhouses in Ballston Spa. “We’re doing a lot more mixed floral arrangements.”
Converse said she doesn’t know why the change has taken place.
Red roses are still a Valentine’s Day staple, but some may view the symbol of love as boring or unoriginal. Others may have come to expect their annual bouquet and are looking for something unique.
“People are more knowledgeable and are looking for something a little more special,” said Brenda Lennon, owner of Lennon’s Flowers in Latham.
Lennon said it helps to know the favorite color or flower of the intended recipient. Picking out flowers with a special significance show time was put into selecting the gift instead of just picking up the phone and placing an order.
“A majority of the people we deal with like the idea of roses because they feel like they have to buy them, but that’s not the case,” she said. “It’s a mindset a lot of men should get out of because it’s getting dated.”
Janet Gough, owner of the Floral Garden in Delmar, said arrangements filled with tropical or spring-type flowers have become popular in recent years. These mixes often include roses, but are more colorful and use more greenery to accent the piece.
She said people like the spring look because, come Valentine’s Day, most are sick of the cold and snow.
People want to be reminded of the warmer weather and ready for the season to change.
Lennon said she thinks roses have become a bit “ho hum.”
“In my opinion I would go with some color, but there’s that mindset and many have been programmed to go with red,” she said. “But there’s so many more flowers available then there were years ago that the combinations can be endless.”
Lennon said stargazers with pink roses are gorgeous, gerbera daises are a favorite and calla lilies are popular. She also said that if someone is looking to buy roses but wants something unique, she recommends English garden roses.
“They are beautiful and keep their fragrance,” she said. “They open and look like a peony. People get leery because of how far they open, but that’s the beauty of them.”
However, Lennon did caution that English garden roses cost about twice as much because they are in limited supply.
Gough said she thinks many will stick with the roses because they are scared their significant others will be let down if they don’t receive them.
“All we can do is offer suggestions, but we’ll do whatever the customer is looking for,” Gough said.
Customers can ask to individualize their orders by adding other gifts like balloons, candles, stuffed animals, candy or sometimes jewelry that is also sold at florist shops. Others may choose to not order flowers at all, but purchase a gift basket or plant depending on what their partner likes.
Mark Felthousen, owner of Felthousen’s Florist in Schenectady, had a different take.
“Some guys don’t have specific ideas,” he said. “They are just looking for something beautiful and for a certain value, and if they like what they see, they buy it.”
Felthousen said the nice thing about going to a florist is the customer doesn’t need to know a whole lot to get a nice gift. That is what the professionals are for.
“Wives just want to be remembered,” he said. “We’ll provide the ideas. Just don’t forget and remember to order early.”