The holidays are coming up, which means I'll be sending flowers all over the country. Do you have any tips for choosing a florist?
Rebecca D. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and florist Karina Lemke, answered;
When it comes to choosing a florist you have to differentiate between the proper floral designer and what’s called a bucket shop.
The bucket shop is a local shop. It’s your local green grocer, a store that sells flowers outside by the bucket. They are not trained floral designers, nor are they trained in floral care. What you’re typically buying from them is low quality blooms. It's great if you’re just buying a bunch of flowers for your house but it’s perhaps not someone that you want to go to if you’re planning a special event. They generally don’t have the skills to back up the design aspect, which is necessary to get a good effect. Ask yourself these questions:
- Can they put them together?
- Do they have an eye for design?
- Are they able to artfully carry out your vision?
As far as delivering flowers from one of these shops, most of them don’t spend a lot of time on presentation.
A good florist is usually just as concerned about presentation as they are about the flowers. Flowers are often a gift for special occasions. They are markers. You want whatever arrives to be truly beautiful. That means finishing the product with cellophane, fancy ribbons and tissue. You want something that is presented beautifully. That’s true of a flower shop. Research your florist, ask to see their work. In the end, don't sacrifice on quality because of cost - when it comes florists you get what you pay for.
Since opening Posies Flower Shop, Karina Lemke has amassed a large following of media, celebrity, and high-end clients. Her stylish and sophisticated work has garnered her international exposure ranging from arrangements for upscale private functions to romantic and elegant weddings, and corporate work for some of the country's largest companies. She is also host of Petal Pushers on HGTV.
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