The Best Fresh Cut Flowers

Buying Guide

While flower sellers do their best business on romantic holidays, you don’t need a reason to give someone flowers. Flowers are a thoughtful way of showing how much you care at any time.

Some people prefer to only order flowers in person, but there is no reason why you can’t do it online. Florists can be expensive, and the flowers you find in grocery stores and other places are usually not as creative or exciting as you might find in a florist shop.

Plus, the selections will be minimal if you wait too long before a holiday. Production standards around the globe have significantly improved, so Grade 1 flowers are easily found on the internet.

Flowers are sold in different configurations. While some are pre-arranged hand-tied bouquets, certain cut flowers like orchids and sunflowers are often placed in individual, water-filled stems. Recipients then remove the stems and arrange them as desired.

Cut flower arrangements often come with vases, and these can be inexpensive and basic or nice enough to save for future bouquets. Expect to pay more for nicer vases. Shipping may or may not be included, but in most cases, online orders arrive in just a few days.

Flowers are a very personal gift, and not everyone likes the same kinds. Roses are the most popular but are typically associated with romantic love, so they might not be appropriate if you buy them for your dad or a co-worker.

Daisies, lilies, tulips, carnations, irises and orchids are often sold in bouquets. Color is also important; some people love red roses, while others can’t get enough of the yellow ones, and others are drawn to all shades of orchids.

If you aren’t sure what kinds of flowers to get, you can play it safe with a mixed bouquet that has a variety of cut fresh flowers. Have a budget in mind, because like other fresh flower arrangements, these are sold in different sizes and with and without vases. All of these factors impact the price.

If your recipient doesn’t let you know that they received the flowers, contact the seller to check first for confirmation. You won’t want to seem like you’re fishing for a thank you, but it’s important to verify that the gift arrived.

• Flowers are seasonal items, and sometimes substitutions have to be made. You don’t usually have to worry about that when your order roses, though.
• You should immediately remove flowers from their packaging, and stems should be trimmed and placed in a vase with fresh water.
• You don’t need to fill the vase to the top, because only the bottoms of the stems and a few inches need to be submerged.