A Guide to Buying the Perfect Valentine's Day Flowers

Valentine's Day is by far the biggest day for any florist. Whether you're celebrating years of marriage, a brand new love interest, platonic love between friends or familial love, flowers are a great way to show you care on this holiday. You shouldn't wait until the last minute to decide on which flowers to give, however. There are lots of options to be weighed and getting an order in early can help you find a more suitable gift for your loved one.

We'll explore some of the best options for buying Valentine's Day flowers with the help of Nic Faitos, Senior Partner at Starbright Floral Design, a florist located in New York City's historic flower district.

Valentine's Day Flower Meanings

Naturally, red roses are one of the romantic flowers that many people select on Valentine's Day since they signify romantic love. However, most customers want to send a more personalized message to their loved ones. One way to accomplish this is by choosing a flower according to its meaning. According to Faitos, "Purple roses are making a head-first assault on traditional red. They carry a traditional meaning of enchantment or love to the degree never felt before."

Meanwhile, many other flowers have messages of love but offer an option besides roses. Some of these flowers (and their meanings) include:

• Forget-me-nots: True love
• Gardenias: Secret love
• Red tulips: Undying love
• Blue violets: Faithfulness
• Daffodils: Unrequited love
• Pink carnations: A mother’s love
• Orchids: Refined beauty
• Morning glories: Love in vain
• White lilacs: Youthful innocence
• Honeysuckle: Devoted affection

If you want to keep a bit of tradition in your choice, consider adding something new to a basic red rose bouquet. As Faitos explains, “A combination of red and white roses together in the same vase signifies unity.”

Valentine's Day Alternatives to the Traditional Red Roses

Are you looking for a more exotic or unique type of flower to give to your loved one? Consider choosing some of the more unusual flower varieties available at your local florist. "One great item that we see going on line with high demand this year is mango-toned mini calla lilies,” says Faitos. These flowers have a feminine, sensual appearance that is perfect for a romantic gift.

"White amaryllis with red stripes is another favorite that lets a lover become more creative in their selection," Faitos says. He also suggests purple mokara orchids (pictured right) for something out of the ordinary. Ultimately, the goal of customers choosing these types of flowers, Faitos says, is to "show that they have put some actual thought into the flowers that they send."

Popular Valentine's Day Flower Arrangement Styles

If you want to make your Valentine’s Day bouquet more updated and personal, skip the red roses and go with something more contemporary. "In general, today’s styles seem to be more monochromatic and less fussy. There are more single-flower and single-color designs," explains Faitos. A florist can help you put together a selection of flowers that have similar colors to create this modern look.

Another thing to consider is the size and shape of your bouquet. Faitos says that "the design styles that we are creating are more tight and compact, not as tall, not as loose and not airy." This gives the bouquet a more up-to-date fee that younger recipients will be especially appreciative of.

How to Order Valentine's Day Flowers

Now that you’ve explored some of the options for Valentine’s Day flower selections, it’s time to place your order – the earlier the better. Why order your flowers in advance?

Faitos provides one explanation: "For one, you have the undivided attention of the person taking your order. You will receive better suggestions and during the time that you are on the phone with the rep you will not hear phones ringing off the hook in the background." Calling when the florist isn’t already rushed will help ensure that you get the best service.

There's another reason to order early, according to Faitos: “If you are ordering something special, the florist will have time to order your flowers and get them delivered for you in a timelier manner." Sending something unusual? Check ahead to see if those flowers will be available come Valentine’s Day.

While you can order flowers online, many florists suggest going in to a store or calling a florist instead when it comes to this particular occasion. Essentially, there’s more of a chance that something could go wrong, and ordering online may not be as effective as visiting a local florist.

Valentine's Day offers many people the opportunity to express their love outwardly. Consider enhancing this romantic holiday with a selection of flowers. Just remember to order early to ensure a better overall experience.