A SHOPPER’S GUIDE TO VALENTINE’S DAY FLOWERS
Valentine’s Day is a special day observed every Feb. 14. On this day, many people send flowers to their sweethearts, friends and family members.
“Every flower in Victorian time carried a message, although most of the meanings have been lost in modern times,” says Henry M. Cathey, Director of the National Arboretum. Here are a few examples. To your true love, send: sweet alyssums-worth beyond beauty; daisies-innocence; ivy-fidelity, marriage; orange blossoms-your purity equals your loveliness.
On the other hand, to your own untrue love send: striped carnations-refusal; marigolds-grief; white rosebuds-heart ignorant of love.
The cost of flowers and plants for Valentine’s Day is generally 33% to 50% above normal prices. According to local florists, the increases are due to harsh weather conditions, limited quantities of specific flowers in high demand and charges by growers. Florists are encouraging consumers to consider selecting other flowers to express their love and to make orders at least three to four days in advance.
Following is a random sampling of Orange County florists and their estimated prices for Valentine’s Day orders. All prices are as of Jan. 23, and may very well go higher as Feb. 14 draws near.
Florist: Anaheim Hills Florist 5557 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills (714) 921-2770 Single Rose: $4.50 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $52.50 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $52.50 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: $25 (fancy) Other Floral Arrangements: $15-50 Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: $7.50/$20 Local Delivery Charge: $5minimum Hours of Operation: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Florist: Cypress Plaza Florist, 6952 Katella Ave., Cypress (714) 894-5333 Single Rose: $5 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $44.95 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $44.95 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: $24.95 with basket Other Floral Arrangements: $25 & up Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: $7/ $20 minimum Local Delivery Charge: $4 Hours of Operation: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Florist: Bell Tower Florist 24601 Raymond Way-3, El Toro (714) 768-6788 Specializing in exotic arrangements. Single Rose: $4.75 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $47.95 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $47.95 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: $27.95 Other Floral Arrangements: $30 & up Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: $6.95/ $20 minimum Local Delivery Charge: $3.50 Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Florist: The Black Irish 2950 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach (714) 768-6788 Specializing in Tropical design and Holland flowers.
Single Rose: $6 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $65 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $65 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: Not available Other Floral Arrangements: $35 & up Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: $7.50/ $25 minimum Local Delivery Charge: $4.50 Hours of Operation: Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.;Sun., Feb. 10, closing 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for phone orders only Hours on Valentine’s Day: 6 a.m.- ?(no set closing time) Florist: Flowers By Morri 448 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa (714) 645-8144 Specializing in anthuriums heartshaped flowers and Holland imports. Single Rose: $6 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $65 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $65 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: $25 with basket; $18.50 wrapped Other Floral Arrangements: $25 & up Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: $7.25/ $20 minimum Local Delivery Charge: $5 Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Florist: Party Plea-z-ers 1166 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa (714) 546-2211 Specializing in Flower-champagne baskets & fruit baskets & exotic flowers Single Rose: $3.50- $5.50 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $37.50-$57.50 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $32.50-$52.50 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: $21 in box $25 in vase Other Floral Arrangements: $25 & up Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: $5/ $20 minimum Local Delivery Charge: $3.50 Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Hours on Valentine’s Day: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Florist: Roger’s Flowers 2301 San Joaquin Hills Corona del Mar (714) 640-5800 Specializing in living English gardens in a basket. Single Rose: $4.50 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Vase: $50 1 Dozen Roses, Long-Stemmed, Box: $45 1 Dozen Carnations, Vase/Box/Other: $30 in box $35 in vase Other Floral Arrangements: $35 & up Wire Service Fee/Lowest Flower Cost: Teleflora/$32.50 minimum Local Delivery Charge: $3-$5 depending on distance Hours of Operation: Every day,9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Hours on Valentine’s Day: Every day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Source: Selected Orange County florists
