Buying guide for best flowers

Who would have thought that something as pleasant as giving someone flowers could be so stressful … not to mention expensive? Unfortunately, the convenience of floral delivery often comes at a high price.

Ordering someone flowers can be downright unnerving. There are so many choices, it’s hard to narrow it down to the bouquet that is perfect for the recipient. Then, you’re confronted with other options, from adding a vase to scheduling the right time and place of delivery to other enhancements like same-day delivery and writing the perfect note to accompany your gift.

We want to help you order flowers that don’t disappoint and don’t go way over your budget, so we did the homework for you by assessing just what you’ll get with the four top picks above. To learn more about how to narrow down the choices and find the perfect flowers, read on.

It is wise to choose flowers that are readily available locally to ensure a fresh, long-lasting bouquet.

Considerations for ordering flowers

Type of arrangement/flowers

The first consideration when you order flowers is the type of arrangement. One type of flower (like all tulips), or an assorted bouquet? Seasonal blooms (like daffodils), exotic (such as orchids), or traditional (roses, carnations, etc.)?

Knowing the type of flower you want the most of (or exclusively) narrows the choices down a lot. Flowers like roses, daisies, carnations, and lilies are usually available all year round, while tulips, daffodils, sunflowers, and more exotic blooms may be hard to find certain times of year and in certain geographic locations.

Occasion

Another key determinant of what you buy is why you are ordering flowers. The following are common reasons people purchase flowers:

• Special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Order based on the recipient’s personal preferences.

• Sympathy. Go for muted colors and simple blooms, like white lilies or hydrangeas.  

• Weddings. While there is traditionally a lot of white involved, find out what the couple’s color scheme is and if they have any types of flowers they prefer – or dislike.  

• Milestones such as graduations, births, and promotions. Go big and bold here, with vibrant colors and showy blooms like sunflowers, lilies, carnations and daisies.

• Holidays. Order something seasonal or fitting with that holiday’s color scheme.

• Just because. Anything goes!

Color

Often, the color(s) you choose will be based on the recipient’s favorite colors or the occasion, but if you want to communicate a specific sentiment, this is what each primary color of flowers means. These meanings are especially connected to roses.

Red: Love, desire, passion, courage, respect.
Pink: Femininity, growing/new romance, kindness.
Orange: Enthusiasm, congratulations, motivation.
Yellow: Friendship, happiness, positivity.
Green: Health, youth, renewal, vitality.
Blue: Relaxation, healing, calming energy.
Purple: Admiration, leadership, empowerment.
White: Sympathy, purity, simplicity, innocence.

Size of arrangement

Pay attention to the number of blooms included or the option to order different sizes when you get to the shopping cart page. Often, the arrangement pictured is the largest option. Going up a size usually costs about $10 more, for a noticeably fuller (and sometimes fresher) bouquet.

Delivery

Most of the consumer complaints related to disappointing experiences with ordering flowers stems from delivery issues. So, before you even start scrolling through all the other options, make sure you check the following:

• Do they deliver to the intended address? Sometimes they might not at all, or they can only fulfill certain floral arrangements. Because they are working with local florists and/or growers, it makes sense that not all flowers will be available, especially in the winter months.

• Can they deliver on the day and time frame you want? Don’t just assume they will make it happen and that everything will go according to schedule – traffic and other unforeseen issues can happen.

• Delivery tip: It’s helpful to leave delivery instructions unless it’s a straightforward “walk up and ring the bell” scenario where someone is going to answer the door promptly. For example, if it’s OK to leave it on a porch should no one answer, say so – or make it clear if that is not acceptable.a

Add-ons

You’re almost always only getting the flowers for the base price. Here are some additional items you may want to order that usually cost extra.

• Unless you order a vase, the flowers will likely come packed in a box or wrapped in paper.

• Gifts like teddy bears, candy, and balloons are always extra.

• You will be able to select a free card with a short, personalized message, but if you want a larger, traditional greeting card, you will need to order that separately or send it on your own.

Alternatives to flowers

You still have options if you want the spectacle of a delivery, but your gift recipient doesn’t care much for flowers.

Balloons are a good option for children who are easily bored by flowers but will be fascinated by seeing their favorite cartoon characters emblazoned on an arrangement of balloons.

Gift baskets make for an appropriate gift for business partners and acquaintances. Like flowers, there is a huge variety you can choose from according to that person’s preferences. Because maybe they don’t want flowers, but could always use a nice collection of wine and champagne.

Fruit arrangements is a more recent gift idea that took the typical box of chocolates and stepped it up a notch by presenting ornately decorated strawberries or other fruits like a florist would put together a bouquet. So you get something aesthetically pleasing that is carefully constructed and as a bonus, it’s delicious.

Plants — especially those of the succulent variety — have grown popularity exponentially in recent years. You can add something relatively low-hassle to your home or office to infuse some life into the space. It’s a modern alternative to a traditional arrangement and it can last for years. They’re especially popular for people with limited space or who are allergic to flowers.

Prices

Base price of items ordered

Flowers-only arrangements can cost anywhere from $20 to $300, but delivery and other fees will up the total price.

Deliver and other fees

In addition to the cost of flowers, you’ll pay anywhere from $8 to $30 for delivery. The following add to the standard delivery fee:

• Same-day or rush delivery

• Delivery on a weekend or holiday

• Delivery to a remote location (if the driver has to detour from standard routes)

Discounts

Pay attention to sales and discounts often advertised clearly in banners and pop-ups or sale sections of the website. You can also usually get a coupon for signing up for emails, or by purchasing a Groupon.

Let your bouquet sit in plenty of water and sunshine to keep them fresh as long as possible.

FAQ

Q. How can I get the best deal on flowers?
A. There are several things you can do. Look for coupons and sales, both on the website and on discount websites like Groupon and RetailMeNot. Order what is in season, or don’t be picky at all and choose the daily special. Sometimes you won’t even know what the flowers will be, so this discount option is only good if you don’t care about the color and type of flowers included. You will also pay less overall if you follow these steps: (1) Order well ahead of time, especially for a popular holiday like Mother’s Day, (2) Be flexible about the timeframe they can be delivered, (3) Send them during a week day that is not close to a holiday.

Q. I am not happy with the flowers/delivery – can I get a refund?
A. This is a common issue… either the flowers don’t look as nice as what was pictured, or they aren’t fresh, or they didn’t get delivered as requested. Most companies will offer at least some sort of refund or replacement if you report the issue within seven days of scheduled delivery and have your order confirmation to show them. We recommend contacting customer service within hours of a problem, along with photos or other evidence to document the issue.

Q. How will I know if they deliver to my address?
A. Most websites ask you to enter the delivery address (or at least the zip code) along with the date you want your gift delivered either at the top or upper side of the results page (where you can see all the different arrangements). Once you enter that, it will show you the options you can order, or it will tell you if delivery is not available. Sometimes you won’t know until you are finalizing your order, so it’s good to input all the delivery information before you get that far.