Roses are Still a Woman's Best Friend

Patch got a lesson in Valentine's Day, flowers and last minute shopping from  Monday morning.

The rose is the one thing has not changed about Valentine’s Day and according to the manager of Bella Flora Mary Thielke, roses are and always will be a staple of the holiday.

"It's still all about the red roses," she said. 

However, banquets of spring flowers such as sunflowers, tulips and irises are also popular this time of year, Thielke said. People have also been buying Gerber Daisies and carnations, she added.

Thielke said all roses are delivered fresh to her store, but gave several tips for keeping them healthy. She suggested changing the water everyday, cutting the stems every other day and keeping them in a cool place that is out of the sunlight. Leaves should be kept out of the flowers' water because it will get dirty, cloudy and skunky.

Orders have been flying in for Bella Flora and Thielke said that Valentine's Day is the florist's busiest holiday next to Mother's Day. Bella Flora, which opens at 9 a.m., will stay open late on the holiday to accommodate all the last-minute male shoppers. The busiest time is expected to be after 4 p.m., she added.

"There is going to be that last one or two people after the traffic has cleared," Thielke said. "It's been crazy."

Last year, the line was out the door because the holiday fell on a weekend, she said. This year, Thielke expects more people to have the flowers delivered to their significant other’s work. Bella Flora will deliver locally for free.

"Men always want to show off for their girlfriends," she said.

For more information about Bella Flora, visit its website or call 860-563-6633.

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