Quick Tip for Buying Flowers

If you’re buying flowers for Valentine’s Day (or any old time), my friend Joy told me this handy tip:

The other day, I found a crisp ten-dollar bill buried in a snow bank, so, naturally, I headed to the grocery store to treat myself to fresh flowers. As I browsed, I asked the florist, “Which flowers just arrived?” and she immediately directed me to a bin of pale pink tea roses. “These came in this morning,” she whispered, like it was a best-kept secret. It had never occurred to me to ask before, but it makes so much sense, doesn’t it? (After all, at the fish market, I always ask for the freshest fish; and I’m forever checking expiration dates on milk and eggs.) Flowers can be a splurge, and it’s a bummer when they wilt a day later. Meanwhile, my tea roses have kept me company all week.

Smart, right? It had never occurred to me. Thanks, Joy!

P.S. How to arrange deli flowers, and a 11 romantic gifts.

(Photo by the amazing Amy Merrick)

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Eden Mint

February 10, 2015 4:32 pm

I always do this as well, it never hurts to ask what the freshest flowers are.

http://www.mintnotion.com

Kate

February 10, 2015 4:24 pm

Great tip! Also, I always cut the ends off the stems when u get home and put an asprin in the water.

nyclilsmartass

February 10, 2015 4:08 pm

Brilliant!
I wish flowers were cheap enough to enjoy as a weekly thing rather then random indulgences for ourselves.
For now I use Trader Joes as much as possible for colorful orchids :)
Do you decorate your place with flowers often?

fleurishes

February 10, 2015 5:58 pm

A few other tips learned from many mornings at the flower market. Give the flowers a once over like you would fruits or vegetables, if they are too open, have spots or other signs of aging skip them. For closed roses, give them a quick squeeze, if they are hard go for it, if they are soft they are old and unlikely to open. If you are buying flowering branches, looks for ones that are mostly closed, they will continue to open at home. Wednesday is when most florists get their biggest deliveries, so most cutting is done just before then, and it is a good day to go shopping. For green stems cut on an angle, for woody stems cut a plus sign from the bottom straight-up about an inch. For hydrangea lovers, my favorite secret is alum (the pickling spice the can be bought at a grocery store). When your blooms start to fade give them a new cut as you would a woody stem and dip them in alum and place them back in water. They usually perk up and stay beautiful for a few more days!

Crystal Jedynak

February 10, 2015 5:50 pm

I always get my flowers at Trader Joes!

Kellyn

February 10, 2015 4:56 pm

The most amazing part of the story to me is the fact that she found $10 in the snow! :)

Margaret Fiorio

February 10, 2015 4:52 pm

Have you checked out Taproot Flowers? They are in your neighborhood! (http://www.taprootflowers.com/) They sell all local flowers!

Joanna Goddard

February 10, 2015 4:49 pm

agreed, wish flowers were cheaper! we have flowers now and again, when we’re in the mood for a treat, but mostly just have a flower-scented candle burning at all times :)

Natasha Lancaster

February 10, 2015 4:36 pm

OMG! How simple! Never thought of it

http://highheelsbrownhair.blogspot.co.uk/

Lisa

February 10, 2015 7:35 pm

I guess it’s the skeptic in me because I always think they lie to me so they can get rid of their old flowers!! Same when I ask the man at the bodega which scratch off is new!! Haha

February 10, 2015 7:22 pm

@fleurishes, thank you!

admin_chels

February 10, 2015 9:56 pm

Ha! Obviously, its always the little things that slip by. No more sad 24 hour wilted flowers for me!

February 10, 2015 9:55 pm

Ha, love it when I see something that makes me shake my head at myself. I have had quite a few sad wilted flower days!

Keiko

February 10, 2015 9:44 pm

I check expiration dates on everything (including the printer ink I bought this morning) but never thought to ask for the freshest flowers. Life changing!

katie lynn.

February 10, 2015 8:43 pm

Such wonderful tips! I love fresh ides that make a grocery store flower purchase that much more fulfilling.

lindsey anne

February 11, 2015 5:43 am

I never think to buy flowers, but a friend who used to house sit for us would always leave fresh flowers for us on the table. It was such a nice touch and always made coming home after a long journey even more of a treat.

Katie

February 11, 2015 3:05 am

My exboyfriend would buy me flowers every few months, and it was very sweet. I bought some for myself today and felt very empowered. It’s a small thing ($3 at Trader Joe’s!) that makes me feel joy in my home :)

Hillary Rose

February 11, 2015 1:37 am

Such a simple and worthwhile idea! I can’t believe I’ve never thought to ask it before. Possibly though it’s because I tend to go to a corner florist and I think they’d point me towards the most expensive bouquets…lol…but I’ll give it a go! Thanks for sharing! :)

http://www.HankeringYankee.com

Alexa

February 11, 2015 11:27 pm

What a brilliant tip. Why have I never thought of this before?! I am convinced that splurging on fresh flowers is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

fawn

February 12, 2015 12:12 am

1 out of every 3 flowers bought/sold in the world passes through aalsmeer flower auction in the netherlands. That is a huge carbon footprint for something that starts to die as soon as it’s cut. Let’s strive to buy local/organic/fair trade or plant our own!

Lisa Sauve

February 12, 2015 5:42 pm

Awe, perfect! I used to be so cynical about flowers since they die so soon and always opted for potted plants instead. In this long winter I am now started to appreciate the bright colors it brings into the room.

Also, change the water everyday, it makes a world of difference (or at least adds 3 more days to their freshness).

Sharol Flo

March 6, 2015 12:22 am

I love this! I would have never thought to ask. I love having fresh flowers in my home. My grandpa and great-grandpa were florists and I have such happy memories of visiting the shop. My strongest memory is the way it smelled.