Getting ready for the busiest day of the year for Floral Expressions, it was all hands on deck Sunday preparing for Valentine’s Day.
It didn’t help that the flowers arrived a little later than usual, due to the snowstorm that struck Vancouver and the Lower Mainland the flowers took a little longer to get to Red Deer.
But David Ginter, Floral Expressions owner, took the positive away from the delay pointing out the flowers were fresh and ready for the big day.
“We have 25 boxes of flowers from all over the world,” said Ginter. “I just got in from Calgary and the flowers here are beautiful.”
The international flavour of flowers that are available has broadened in recent years and Ginter said that has allowed for arrangements to pop with unique looks and smells.
“Because there are so many flowers from around the world, a mixture is a real representation of the ability to have fresh flowers from anywhere,” said Ginter. “They’re grown in South America, Africa, the U.S., Europe and Canada. The world selection is huge. We have the ability to get flowers from all over the world in 36 to 48 hours.”
Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year for Floral Expressions, while Mother’s Day is the busiest week and Christmas is the busiest period.
Though roses are the classic looking popular pick, but Ginter noted a trend towards what he called mid-century resurgence, which is a reappearance of what was popular in the 1950-1980.
“Lilies, lately lilies have had a resurgence,” he said, adding tulips are also popular. “Carnations, lilies, full flowers.”
Trucks will deliver flowers all day Tuesday, and Ginter noted it can be fun dropping off the flowers, showing up at an office and seeing the anticipation of who gets the flowers among co-workers.
And while they work hard on creating arrangements, Ginter said picking out an arrangement on your own adds a little personal touch on Valentines Day.
“To go to a flower shop and hand pick the flowers is, I think, very special,” he said.